On 17th June 2022 it was announced that rising starlet Lewis Gardner had joined The Lions from Silsden where he had worked with Danny Forrest and won a couple of awards at the end of the campaign.

Primarily a left back the former Upper Wharfedale School pupil has been training with Barnsley FC whilst undertaking his degree in sports coaching at Sheffield Hallam University.

He was with the Bradford City Development squad before joining Barnsley U19s and Barnsley U23s. Whilst with The Tykes this season Gardner helped his team win the league as a part of his shadow scholarship program.

Despite suffering a ten week ankle injury following his transition to a senior player in the Northern Counties East League Lewis ended the 2021/22 season on a high. He won league titles with Silsden’s U-19 and U-23 sides. He also represented the National Football Youth League representative side in a game played at QPR.

Lewis was born in Skipton and started playing football with Skipton Juniors, moving on to Grassington and then Steeton. He joined Silsden U-23s in 2020-21 season before progressing to the first team during the 2021/22 season.

Speaking after signing for The Lions Lewis said: “I learned a lot under Danny Forrest and was inspired by the trust he put in me as a young player. He gave me the chance to step up to senior football and I am thankful for that. He has now given me the chance to follow him to Guiseley AFC and it was a no brainer for me. I want to learn and press on with my football and I think Danny and Danny Ellis are the people to help me to do that. I think as a defender I can learn a lot from an experienced player like Danny Ellis.”

Forrest said of his young protege: “We are all aware that it is a huge leap in terms of ability and physicality for Lewis but he has a great attitude and with time and the opportunity to train with and learn from better players we have no doubt that he will be an asset to the club.”

On 6th September 2022 Lewis signed a dual registration deal with his former club Silsden as he continues to build up his experience of men’s football.

At the end of the 2022/23 campaign Lewis left the club after making three appearances.