Looks like one of Leeds United’s West Yorkshire neighbours just decided to take a step up in professionalism.
Guiseley: National League side to go full-time 'forthwith' https://t.co/HbCQDXztwI
— BBC Radio Leeds (@BBCLeeds) October 19, 2017
National League side Guiseley AFC has announced that they will be going full-time, effective immediately. Guiseley is currently sitting in the relegation zones in the National League, with 10 points from 15 matches, three points out of safety. The Lions have won only one match this season and have the worst goal difference in the division with -16.
The club said in a statement that, “Our training schedules are Monday morning, Tuesday night, Thursday night and Friday morning, with Wednesdays off. This will allow the players who have jobs outside of football to train with the squad."
Manager Paul Cox was also focused on the next match on Saturday against Solihull Moors, saying “We as a group know how important next Saturday is to get that first league win with me here, that builds confidence and can move us up the table.”
Guiseley, you might remember, hosted Leeds United in a preseason friendly back in July at their ground, which Leeds won 5-1. Stuart Dallas and Lee Erwin, who has since left the club, both scored two goals for Leeds. The Guiseley Vixens play in the league above Leeds United Ladies, the FA WPL Northern Division, and have been a successful women’s football team for some time.
While it’s not the biggest deal in the world, nor is it a a huge breaking news story, it’s good to support local football clubs in their transition to professionalism. National League clubs are run by people who love the game and a vast majority of the players will never make a living playing football, much less make millions or play in front of crowds of thousands of people. English football is richer and more robust because of the local sides, and need our support.
So go support Guiseley this weekend, if you get a chance, as it’s okay to go to a local side when Leeds are away at Bristol City. The prices are affordable, you can take your family, and you know the players on the pitch are there not because of a contract, but because they love football.