We are delighted to announce that Lewis Whitham has signed a new contract with the club for next season and a long time supporter of the club has made a generous donation to cover the cost of his operation.
Lewis Whitham has expressed his gratitude to both the club and its supporters as he awaits surgery on his knee, writes Rachel O’Connor.
The 21 year-old attacking player, who excites the crowd every time he steps on the field, sustained a serious knee injury in the away game at Marine in March with a complete tear of his ACL, MCL and meniscus.
A subsequent scan and specialist consultation, arranged and funded by the club, determined that surgery was required with a 10-12 month period of rehabilitation to follow.
He now awaits private surgery but the blow has been made easier for him to bear with the club, his teammates and supporters standing by him.
The club have given him a new contract and the supporters have rallied round to raise the funds to privately fund his operation to expedite his return to the game.
A fund was set up to raise over £8,000 to fund the operation Lewis needs, not only to get him back playing but also to return to his job as a football coach.
Supporters, teammates and others associated with the club chipped in and quickly raised over £4,500.
A generous long time supporter of the club then made a big donation to fund the shortfall to enable Lewis to get his operation as soon as possible.
He is now booked in for his operation and is looking forward to starting his post op rehab at Rotherham United, close to his home.
Lewis, who scored seven goals in 17 starts for Guiseley after joining them from Alfreton Town in November, was full of praise for everyone at the club.
He said: “I cannot thank everyone who has contributed to this fund enough. I love this club to bits, I have enjoyed every single minute I have been here and I love being around it and the people involved in it.”
He continued: “It is a good, positive environment to be in and you feel appreciated. The management team, my fellow players, the people behind the scenes, sponsors etc have kept me going because this injury has been a massive blow to me.
“The club giving me a new contract when I am injured has shown massive faith in me and I appreciate it. I just want to get back out there on the pitch and I know it will be a big challenge but I am determined to give it my all and knuckle down to my rehab.”
Lewis will now have his operation in the next couple of weeks then expects to be on crutches for four weeks prior to eight to ten months rehab.
“Sponsors have paid for my rehab at Rotherham and I am so thankful for that. I am getting the best help and hopefully it will take me to where I was this season,” said Lewis.
He added: “I feel good about signing a new contract and I would like to thank everyone who has contributed to the fund. As soon as this operation is done I will focus on getting back to full fitness. I just want to get back out there on the pitch. There is something special about this club, it has a good feeling and I feel safe and comfortable here.
“I want to be able to put it all out there for them and be a part of this club getting back to where they belong. Guiseley is too big to be in this league and the aspirations of everyone will push us forward and I want to be a part of that. The fans are a big part of it too and I want to re-pay them.”