As Guiseley AFC approach their Emirates FA Cup tie at Stevenage on Saturday one former player is hoping that they can gain retribution for what is considered one of the greatest ‘we were robbed’ stories in the club’s history.
Rachel O’Connor spoke to Lions legend Peter Atkinson about the last time Guiseley played Stevenage, way back in 1997.
On that occasion when Guiseley travelled south for an FA Trophy tie Atkinson, who played over 600 games for Guiseley, was closest to the incident that turned the game into a 1-0 defeat.
He said: “My memory of most things is not great, unlike my former teammate Colin Hogarth who can remember virtually every tackle of every game we played. However, one thing I do remember is how we were robbed in that game at Stevenage and it rankles to this day.”
Explaining the events Atkinson said:”We set out hoping to enjoy a great day and make some great memories against a side from a much higher league than us.
“It was to be a day we would never forget for all the wrong reasons. When they were allowed to play on and score in the later stages of the game after the ball had gone out way over the byline we and our supporters were gutted.”
Describing the situation Atkinson said:”I was sheperding the ball out over the line after they had played it. I was going to pick the ball up when their lad played on and they scored to the disbelief of everyone.
“The referee allowed the goal to stand and we were all devastated. Botts (Paul Bottomley) said we would go all out to try and force an equaliser and he moved up front from centre-half and told us to lump the ball forward.
“We did our best to retrieve the situation but it was not to be and it left a feeling of anger and frustation that we went out in that way. The ball was so far over the line that the supporters behind the goal could have picked it up. The injustice of it all still rankles with me and the other lads.”
“We had worked so hard and were on the cusp of getting a draw and taking them back to Nethermoor. It was embarrassing how far out of play the ball was.”
He added: “We had a similar feeling after the Trophy semi-final against Runcorn at Nethermoor when another controversial goal robbed us of a third Wembley final. Colin Hogarth made a fantastic tackle, the referee was looking elsewhere and turned to see their lad on the floor and awarded a free-kick from which they scored.
“These two incidents stick in my head and I would like to see Guiseley get a win on Saturday and gain some retribution for what happened back then.
“Guiseley’s is the first score I look for on a Saturday and if they win against Stevenage I will be doing somersaults!
“Stevenage may think they have an easy ride but getting to the First Round of the FA Cup is massive for Guiseley as a club. I hope everyone enjoys their day and that the lads put in a performance they will be proud of.”
Peter Atkinson played right-back in a Guiseley team that played in two FA Vase finals at Wembley in 1991 and 1992. The 1991 final v Gresley Rovers went to a re-play at Bramall Lane and Atkinson was one of the scorers in a 3-1win.
He played his 600th game for the club in a game v Witton Albion in October 2003 and was a member of the Guiseley Wembley Heroes team that took on an ex-Leeds United team in a game in 2010 to mark the Centenary of the Guiseley club.
He also turned back the clock with a typical battling display when a Guiseley X1 played a West Riding County FA side in the Reg Allwood Memorial game in 2022.
