Guiseley AFC have had a big input into a new play which tells the story of their historic first visit to Wembley and their FA Vase winning manager Gordon Rayner and one of the goalscorers at Wembley, Allan Roberts, were at Guiseley’s pre-season game against Bury to promote the play.
Both were impressed by the work that has been put in to ‘On Hallowed Ground’ which was written by Guiseley man Lee Phillips.
His son Jacob Phillips, Artistic Director of Codswallop CIC, said: “When Guiseley Theatre decided to produce a brand new play to celebrate a community, Guiseley AFC was the obvious choice and as soon as they began researching, meeting with fans and the club the passion was evident.”
The pair visited Guiseley AFC on match days to interview supporters about their experiences following the club.
Jacob said: “With everyone we spoke to, an excitement took over, memories came flooding back and the same point was reiterated over and over again: Guiseley was different. Guiseley was a family and the ground and its fans have seen each other through thick and thin, whether it be promotions and relegations or divorces and becoming parents. This became the basis of our story.”
This brand new piece of theatre, produced by Codswallop CIC with support from Leeds Inspired and Guiseley AFC, is written using real life stories of real life fans of Guiseley AFC.
Phillips, who is directing the play, said: “Working on this play has well and truly been a baptism of fire for me, learning the rules, the lingo and the culture of a community football clubs. I have been working in and with communities all my working life and I can recognise a strong, passionate and welcoming community from a mile off; the fans of Guiseley AFC are just that.
“For as long as I have known it, Nethermoor Park has been an asset to Guiseley, a thriving community and a home to so many. So when it came to planning a play to celebrate a community, Guiseley AFC was the obvious choice.
The play runs at Guiseley Theatre from July 21st-24th with performances at 7.30pm each day and matinees at 2.30pm on the Saturday and Sunday. Tickets range from £5-£12 and are available to buy at guiseleytheatre.org/boxoffice or 0333 666 3366.
