We are delighted to announce the signing of 25 year-old striker Mohammad Qasim from Brighouse Town as our second new player of the day.
We have added a striker to the squad before the clash with Marske United tonight (Tuesday) in the Pitching In Premier Division, writes Rachel O’Connor.
Mohammad Qasim is a 25 year-old science teacher who did not take up football until he was 19. He rapidly rose from Step 6 to Step 4 and isn’t intent on stopping there.
He started out kicking around with his cousins and joined local club Girlington in his home City of Bradford.
Mohammad is on an upward trajectory having taken in a spell with Athletico Under-23s and was top scorer in the Yorkshire Amateur League the season before he was asked to play for Campion’s first team in 2019.
Then came what he describes as the period that shaped him into the player he is today – one with pace, a good finish and a penchant for running at players.
He credits Guiseley’s assistant manager Danny Forrest with the improvement in his game – a continuation of which could see him playing at higher levels.
Describing Forrest’s influence on him Mohammad said: “I left Campion for Silsden when Danny was manager there. He showed me how to improve so many things, some just little things, but everything he told me I tried to implement. Everything he said I held on to it and I wouldn’t be the player I am today without him. As a striker himself he really helped me to improve my game. He shaped me into what I am.”
Mohammad joined Albion Sports, who found themselves in a relegation battle on a weekly basis. Undeterred Mohammad dug in and battled for the side seeing only the positives.
He said of his experience: “You take the positives out of it. It taught me to have a bit of fight and aggression and how to play with your backs up against the wall. It was a fight every single game and that helped develop my aggression on the field, taught me to battle for everything.”
The player had a short sojourn at Yorkshire Amateur before the club started a number of changes. He quickly found himself moving on to Brighouse Town at the start of the current season.
He was not put out of his stride when the boss Vill Powell asked him to play on the right wing before putting him up top.
He added: “I had moved up levels and proved I could do it, not just as a striker but also on the wing, so I was happy to know that I could do it at that level.
“I stepped up and I want to continue to step up. My aim is to smash this league with Guiseley and help them to promotion. I have got this far through hard work and there is going to be no stopping now.”
Growing up in Bradford Mohammad took note that Guiseley AFC were one of the biggest non-league teams around and he is now delighted to be playing for them.
He said: “I have risen through the levels through my own performances on the pitch not by having an agent shouting the odds for me. I aim to continue to do my talking with my performances on the pitch.”
He added: “I am not interested in who is playing for my opponents, I have a job to do for 90 minutes and I will just try my hardest to do my job for the club.”
Off the pitch Mohammad is very committed to his job as a science teacher at a secondary school and really enjoys teaching and being a mentor for young people.
He said: “I am in my second year as a teacher and I love it. You don’t realise how much of an impact you have on young people’s lives. There are vulnerable children and they can be difficult at times but you can put a smile on their face and make it their happy place. This is what matters to me.”
Mohammad follows goalkeeper Tom Scott into Nethermoor, the shot stopper has signed a one month loan deal from FC Halifax Town.
Welcome to Guiseley Tom and Mohammad!
Tom and Mohammad’s home, away and training kits are all available to sponsor.
