With the enforced 17-day winter break now over, United welcome Guiseley AFC to the R Costings Abbey Stadium this evening. The incentive for both sides is an FA Trophy Quarter-Final berth and accompanying £7000 payout.
Steve Kittrick's Yorkshire outfit are enjoying a successful season to date and arrive with a record of just one defeat in 17 games. Together with their Trophy progression, Guiseley currently lie third in the Blue Square Bet North table following Saturday's 1-0 victory at Hinckley.
Tonight's visitors have generously offered free travel for their supporters so, with a decent turnout expected, they will be eager to progress. To reach this stage of the competition, Guiseley have swerved past Eastwood Town, FC United of Manchester and Stalybridge Celtic.
United have never crossed swords with the Lions, partly due to geographical constraints, so we could be forgiven for having little knowledge of them. Nevertheless, a whistle-stop tour through the history books sees the club, based 6 miles north of Bradford, formed in 1909 and playing their football in the Wharfedale League.
They switched to the Leeds League after the First World War and, shortly after, the West Riding County Amateur Division. Three League titles were lifted in the 1930s and two more followed before 1956 when the Lions moved to the West Yorkshire League. The Yorkshire League beckoned in 1968, with Division One then Division Two Championship Trophies sitting proudly in the clubroom cabinet by 1979. An amateur league restructure then meant Guiseley were placed in the Northern Counties East Premier Division for the 1982/83 season.
Ground improvements to Nethermoor, (above) and an enhanced business structure were rewarded in 1991 when the Lions reached Wembley and an FA Vase Final with Gresley Rovers. A 3-1 replay win secured the trophy, whilst the double-delight of promotion sealed their elevation to HFS Northern Premier League First Division status.
Further promotion was clinched in 1994 and, despite a brief return to the division below, the Lions continued their march upwards. May 2010 saw them clinch a place in the BSBN, with their debut season at a new level proving a rollercoaster ride. Kittrick's men fought their way to a Play-off Final with Telford but, despite being 2-1 ahead with just minutes remaining, they were left licking their wounds when the Shropshire club fought back to clinch a 3-2 victory.
The Season So Far
They have regrouped without fuss this season, though, and a strong league record at Nethermoor shows nine wins, two draws and a solitary defeat. United should also be mindful of the Lions' resilience on the road, with Kittrick's men having succumbed to just three BSBN defeats.
Following last Saturday's win at Hinckley, Guiseley sit nine points behind leaders Hyde AFC, but with three games in hand. Well-placed, they will hope to go one step further than last season's aforementioned Play-off Final.
The Lions received good news last week when a £56,000 stadia grant was rubber-stamped. A new stand will, therefore, rise up before the end of the season duly ensuring Nethermoor meets Blue Square Bet Premier requirements, should they achieve promotion.
A Glance at the Squad
Steve Kittrick has built a hard-working and experienced squad at Nethermoor, which is anchored between the sticks by former United man Steven Drench. On loan at the Abbey from Southport during the 2008/09 campaign, he played just one game for the U's but conceded four goals as Gary Brabin's men succumbed to a 4-3 Setanta Shield defeat at Telford. After departing, the 26-year old, (below) sported the gloves for Leigh Genesis prior to joining Guiseley in August 2010.
Another ex-United man, Club Captain Simon Ainge, (below) was stationed at right-back when Guiseley visited Hinckley last Saturday. The 23-year old, who played two games in black and amber during our 2008/09 campaign, was recruited from Bradford Park Avenue during the summer of 2010, having previously turned out for Bradford City and Halifax.
On the opposite flank will be Dave Merris, who made his name at Harrogate Town prior to being snapped up by York in 2003. The 31-year old made 100 plus appearances for City and picked up several Player of the Year awards prior to rejoining Harrogate in 2006. Nevertheless, after playing a combined 250 games for the club Dave opted to join Guiseley in March 2008.
The central defensive partnership on Saturday was ex-Bradford man Mark Bower and the long-serving Danny Ellis. Mark pulled on a City shirt in over 250 matches and was captain at Valley Parade. He later played for York, Luton, Darlington and Halifax before joining Guiseley last summer. Danny has been on the Guiseley books since 2005 and is a crowd favourite. A scholar with Bradford City, he was a member of the Bradford Boys Club who won the English Cup.
Competition in the defence is provided by full-back Michael Burns and centre-half Jamie Clarke. Michael won an FA Youth Cup winners medal with Liverpool in 2006 before moving on to Bolton then Carlisle. He also enjoyed a career-building loan with Newport and was snapped up by the Lions in June last year. Jamie, meanwhile, has been almost ever-present this season, but was surprisingly dropped to the bench for last Saturday's win at Hinckley. The 29-year old, recruited from Gainsborough, brings with him Football League experience from stints at Mansfield, Boston, and Grimsby.
Also vying for a place will be new signing Dean Lisles who penned a deal with the Lions two weeks ago. A versatile defender, he has previously worn the colours of York and Hull City.
The Guiseley engine room boasts another former United man in Ciaran Toner (see Matchday Connection below) who should be accompanied by Danny Boshell at the heart of midfield this evening. Staring his career with Oldham in 1999, Danny (above) spent six years at Boundary Park prior to joining Stockport via a loan deal with Bury. He later played 100 plus games for Grimsby, moved to Chesterfield in 2010 but, after a handful of appearances, decided to join the Lions.
Should either of the regular duo not travel, Kevin Gall or recent capture Tomas Skaret Halvorsen will deputise. An ex-Welsh U21 international, attacking midfielder Kevin was a member of the Yeovil side who won a double promotion from the Conference to League One during the early noughties. Norwegian Tomas, signed on non-contract terms at the end of January, is currently studying in the UK. Leeds-based, the youngster is seen as a real prospect.
Captured from Leeds during the close-season, James Booker will also be chasing a piece of the action. A regular in Reserve Teamer at Elland Road but, seeking first-eleven action, he moved across the county to Nethermoor. Capable of playing anywhere across the middle, James' quick feet will trouble any defence.
The wide midfield berths against United are likely to be filled by Andy Holdsworth and Simon Baldry. Captured from Alfreton in October, right-sided Andy is brings plenty of know-how to the squad, having played 260 plus games for Huddersfield, Oldham and Morecambe. He has recently made a successful transition from his usual right-back role.
A cavalier on the left flank, Simon is one of several Lions players to have been on the books of Huddersfield. Now 36, he spent nine years with the Terriers, making close to 200 appearances. A popular figure with supporters Simon, whose career has also taken him to Bury, Notts County, Ossett Town and Bradford Park Avenue, scored the Lions winner at Hinckley last Saturday.
Striker Danny Forrest, (above) has bulged the net just three times this season but, with 16-goal top scorer Gavin Rothery having broken a bone in his foot, the 27-year old has stepped up. A former Bradford trainee, he toured the lower leagues with Halifax, Hucknall, Crawley and Barrow before signing on at Nethermoor and has recently surpassed the 250-career appearance mark.
Danny was partnered by the dangerous James Walshaw at Hinckley on Saturday. Sure to cause the United rearguard problems, despite missing a penalty last weekend, this 28-year old rejoined the Lions in January after a six-month sojourn with Darlington. Previously with Ossett Town, Wakefield and Farsley, James has bagged an impressive five goals in four games since returning, including a brace in the recent 2-2 home draw with our neighbours Histon.
Steve Kittrick's alternatives in attack are former Altrincham duo Chris Senior and Joe O'Neill with further experience being provided by Lee Ellington. Chris, who recently joined on loan from Alfreton, popped up with 30 goals in 108 appearances for Alty and has already found himself on the scoresheet five times at Guiseley. Formerly with Halifax and Darlington, he scored an FA Trophy Final winner for the latter last season. Joe moved to Nethermoor from Stalybridge during the summer of 2010 following an 18-goal season but, surprisingly, has failed to net this term.
Pushing up the average age, 31-year old Lee appeared for Hull City aged just 16 prior to departing for Exeter in 2000. He later played for Gainsborough, where he averaged 20 goals per season during a five-year stint and was equally as prolific at Stalybridge, whose fans saw him net 65 times in 148 matches. Lee, who moved on to Farsley, Droylsden then Harrogate, joined the Lions last summer and has six goals this term.
Man at the Helm
Steve Kittrick joined Guiseley in late 2007 following a four-year spell at Ossett Town. He has slowly moulded the squad and was rewarded for his efforts when Guiseley lifted the Northern Premier League title in May 2010.
Under his guidance the Lions clinched a play-off spot last year, whilst this season he has garnered their reputation as one of the BSBNs Championship favourites, playing an effective brand of football.
Steve, (above) also a Director at Wakefield Wildcats Rugby Club, was awarded the BSBN Manager of the Month award in December, but will be hoping for a bigger prize come the end of the campaign.
He is assisted by former Huddersfield and England U21 international midfielder Chris Holland, who is still registered as a player.
Matchday Connection
A youngster with Spurs, Ciaran Toner (below) joined the Lions from Harrogate Town last summer. The 30-year old made eight appearances for United towards the end of our disastrous 2004/05 campaign whilst on loan from Lincoln.
The holder of two full Northern Ireland caps, central midfielder Ciaran has also played for Peterborough, Bristol Rovers, Leyton Orient, Grimsby and Rochdale.
Doug Shulman
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