We are delighted to announce Prince Ekpolo has re-signed with the club for the 2021/22 season.
Guiseley fans will be happy to hear that midfielder Prince Ekpolo has signed a new contract with the club and is hoping to take his game to the next level, writes Rachel O’Connor.
The former Burscough and Glossop North End player aspires to play at the highest level possible both personally and with Guiseley.
The 27 year-old started life in Nigeria but moved to Spain where he started playing football at the age of nine. The midfielder had aspirations to be a goalkeeper dreaming of playing in that position when he was a young child in Africa.
“That was not to be as I played striker or midfield when I played football seriously in junior games in Spain. I have also played right back in my football career and I don’t mind what position I play but I prefer to play in centre midfield,” said Ekpolo.
Outside of football Ekpolo is studying for a BTEC in mechanical engineering as well as working part-time as a carer. Football however is his passion and he cannot wait to start a new season with Guiseley, with his biggest wish being that supporters are allowed into grounds.
He said: “I am really excited for a new season to start after all the problems with Covid affecting last season. Fans make the difference, they give you the energy to press on when things become difficult, they give you the energy to win games. We have missed that and cannot wait for it to return.”
He added: “I am looking for the new season to be better than the last and personally I am looking to be a better player than last season. We didn’t really get the chance to push on and I want to be the best that I can and help the team as much as I can.
“I came to England from Spain in 2016 and joined Burscough but I found the football here in the league’s of a lot higher standard than I thought, it was very competitive so it took me a little time to adjust. I then moved on to Glossop. Now I am at Guiseley and I want to make my mark here. We have some very good young players and I hope that I and the other older players can help them along and that together we take Guiseley forward. With support from the fans it will make a big difference, I really want to show them what I can do. You need these people in the ground to keep your spirits up and help the team along.”
Ekpolo joined Guiseley as a non-contract player at the back end of the 2019-20 season from Bet Victor side Glossop North End. He made his debut off the bench at home to Darlington on 21st January and his first start was in the West Riding County Cup win at Goole Town on 18th February.
His display sealed a start in the following four league games and the County Cup semi-final win at Harrogate Town before Covid-19 brought an early end to the season.
He played six games that season and had a further nine appearances under his belt in the season just gone before Covid-19 again brought a premature end to the National League North.
Guiseley Joint Manager Russ O’Neill said: “He is going to be massive for us, he will be a big part of our team going forward. He has taken our physicality in the midfield area to a new level. Before bringing him to Guiseley I really thought that he had real potential and he has proved that he has got what it takes to play at this level.”