We are delighted to announce that Sam Walters has joined our first team squad from the academy.
Former Academy player Sam Walters stepped up to make his Guiseley AFC senior debut in a competitive game when Guiseley entertained Workington in their seasonal opener, writes Rachel O’Connor.
Leeds-born Walters, who turns 19 in November, got into the action late in the game as Guiseley won 2-0.
He impressed in midfield for the title winning Academy side last season and has done enough in pre-season training with the first team squad to impress the management team,
Having signed in midweek the youngster was soon elevated to the match day squad and pulled on the No 12 shirt as he took his place on the bench for the first Pitching In Northern Premier League Premier Division game of the season.
Walters impressed in Dave Currie’s Academy side adding bite to midfield with some great tackles and a real appetite for the challenge. He has spent pre-season training with the first team squad and getting minutes in the friendly games. He was particularly pleased to play against his favourite club – Leeds United.
Walters comes into the Lions’ squad with a good pedigree having started his junior career with Garforth Villa and then playing for the Hull City Academy from Under-12s to Under-16s.
Of his rise to the first team squad Walters said: “I am really thrilled to be given this chance and I now want to kick on and give my all for the club. I have a good connection with the club having come through the Academy and I now get the chance to train and play with some quality players.”
The player favours a centre midfield position and enjoys making a tackle and with players like Lebrun Mbeka, Prince Ekpolo, Jack Emmett, Adriano Moke and Joe Ackroyd to learn from he will no doubt make further progress.
His school was Garforth Academy and he continued his education at Benton Park School when he joined Guiseley’s Academy.
Keen to learn Walters has been impressed with how the senior players train and is happy to learn from them about how he can improve his own standards.
He said: “Everyone is working together and there is a great atmosphere around the place. I am looking forward to playing men’s football for the first time and it will be a real challenge but one that I will relish. I am looking forward to the crowd atmosphere at first team games.”
Walters’ personal aim for the season is to get as many minutes as he can, improve his play and do his best when he gets a chance. His aim for the club is to finish as high as they possibly can which for him and the club means getting promotion.
The trainee civil engineer said: “I have Guiseley Academy Head Coach Dave Currie to thank for converting me from a right-back to a central midfielder. Dave has been a great mentor, someone you can always talk to about any issues you might have.”
