A new trip through time, as viewed from the perspective of the unassuming surroundings of Guiseley AFC’s Nethermoor Park, has now been published.
The book charts how Guiseley AFC, a club formed 111 years ago, has survived the impacts of two global pandemics and wars, as well as local controversies that almost led to the club being commandeered by a new local rugby team, or it’s home ground being converted into an air raid shelter.
Over the last century leafy Nethermoor Park has been the setting for Guiseley AFC’s steady rise from the humble Wharfedale League to playing cup finals at Wembley, and eventually competing at Non-League’s pinnacle – just one promotion away from the Football League. Over this time The Lions have fielded many great players, including England international Frank Worthington, and unearthed many future stars. Nethermoor has even been the setting for a major 1990s TV drama!
The story is told on a season-by-season basis from the beginnings of the club in 1909 through the local, regional and national Leagues to the 2019-20 season together with the national, local and regional cup competitions.
The book came about after a chance conversation between GAFC Director and former Chairman Phil Rogerson and former Webmaster, Volunteer and long-time supporter John Clements, regarding the feasibility of bringing the original club history, authored by Les Wood in 1995, up-to-date.
Having been informed that fellow supporter Colin Robertson had expressed the same intention a collaboration in lockdown was born.
The book also includes contributions from Programme Editor/Press Officer Rachel O’Connor and club Historian Bruce Speller, as well as a foreword from broadcaster John Helm.
What marks the publication out from the usual football club history is that the authors have taken a unique approach to provide the context in which the history of Guiseley AFC has been played out.
This includes the key football and significant news events for each period to give the reader a flavour of each season and the circumstances that affected the life of players, officials and supporters alike, over the clubs 111 years existence.
Copies of the book, priced at £25, can be purchased from the club shop at Nethermoor which will be open every Monday 11:00-14:00 and every Wednesday 10:00-14:00 during May and June commencing Wednesday 5th May 2021.
Alternatively you can email accounts@guiseleyafc.co.uk to order/reserve your copy and then collect it from Nethermoor from Wednesday 5th May.
