We are delighted to announce the return of Jake Lawlor to Nethermoor for the 2024/25 season.
Commanding centre-back Jake Lawlor will step out for Guiseley in the new Pitching In League campaign after leaving Darlington to return to Nethermoor, writes Rachel O’Connor.
Lawlor, who can also play in midfield, returns to a club where he was very popular with supporters in his previous spell from 2013 to 2018.
Of his return Lawlor said: “I cannot wait to get started back at Guiseley. It is a great opportunity to work with Mark Bower and Danny Boshell again and with Martin Stringfellow back again as physio it is something to really look forward to.”
He added: “I am delighted to be coming back, it feels like I am coming home and it is something I have always wanted to do.”
The 33 year-old started out as a youngster attached to Manchester United. He later moved into non-league with Liversedge Ossett Town and Harrogate Railway before joining Guiseley in 2013.
At the end of the 2017-18 season Lawlor made a surprise loan move to AFC Fylde before soon moving on to Salford City.
There was another quick exchange of clubs with the big defender signing for Wrexham in September 2018.
Lawlor moved into the EFL with Harrogate Town after 76 appearances for the Welsh club.
He was released after 22 games for Harrogate and joined Hartlepool.
Following a loan spell at Bromley Lawlor joined Darlington on loan in the 2021-22 season and remained there until this summer.
Of the new campaign ahead in a Guiseley shirt Lawlor said: “It is the main aim of all of us to gain promotion and that looks very achievable with the players who have been recruited. I know quite a few of the lads and the club have certainly not disappointed with who they have recruited.”
He added: “I am looking forward to playing with some very good players and I am really looking forward to the pre-season games when you can pit yourself against some full-time players. It is all about getting games under your belt at this stage and gaining match fitness.”
Speaking of his return to his former club Lawlor said: “The main pull for me to come back was the return of Bows and Bosh. What we did previously together was a good time and I think the time is right for me to return to the club.”
Of the season ahead he said: “We want to be doing well as a team for the club and its fans and get the team back to where it belongs. This club needs to be at a high level and I am now returning with experience of those higher levels in the National League and EFL and hope to use that experience to benefit the club.”
He added with a laugh: “I believe those experiences have helped me to improve my game, improve my reading of the game – something I may need to rely on now that I am not as fast as I used to be!”
Lawlor no longer works in the fitness industry but still maintains the disciplines he stuck to there.
“I feel that you need to have and maintain your own standards in making sure you keep your fitness levels high. It is vitally important to do that. It is very important these days to make sure you are motivated to do your own running and off season work before pre-season training starts.
“The game has changed a lot since I started and you need to be ready for pre-season. I have looked forward more to pre-season this time around than I ever have. Bows, Bosh and Martin are great people to work with.”
Lawlor does not really feel that all the hype around the club stating the need for promotion adds pressure to the players.
He said: “It does in a way but with the level of players the club have recruited they should be able to deal with that. Everyone wants promotion and the lads will be ready for that challenge.”
Jake’s away and training kits are both available to sponsor – email admin@guiseleyafc.co.uk for more information.
