History
Founded in 1909 by a local group of enthusiasts, the club’s first success came in 1913 when they won the local Wharfedale League. Following the end of the First World War the club switched to the Leeds League, achieving little until 1924 when another switch, to the West Riding County Amateur Football League, eventually brought success. A treble of league championships followed in the 1930s as well as two appearances in the last 16 of the old F.A. Amateur Cup, against South Bank in 1932 and Cambridge Town (now City) in 1934.
A fourth league title was won in 1939, after which seventeen years were to elapse before the fifth, achieved in 1956. It was followed by another switch, to the West Yorkshire League, which heralded a remarkable run of success in the local Wharfedale Challenge Cup, the trophy being won on nine out of ten occasions in the 1960s.
They joined Division Two of the Yorkshire League in 1968 and were relegated to the newly formed Third Division in 1970. Having returned to the Second Division at the first attempt, they gained promotion to the First Division in 1974. Relegated from their first season, they return the following year as Yorkshire League Division Two Champions. They were Yorkshire League Runners-up in 1980 and 1982.
They were founder members of Northern Counties East League in 1982–83 and reached the FA Vase Semi-Final in 1990. They won it at Bramall Lane the following season, beating Gresley Rovers 3–1 in a replay after a 4–4 draw at Wembley Stadium along with the Northern Counties East League title, gaining promotion to the Northern Premier League Division One.
They reached the FA Vase Final again in 1992 this time as runners-up to Wimborne Town and won the Northern Premier League First Division in 1994, a season also marked by an FA Trophy semi-final appearance with Runcorn.
They stayed in the Premier Division until relegation in 2000 but returned to the top division in 2004. In the 2007–08 season, they narrowly missed out on a playoff place, finishing 6th, just one point behind Buxton.
Since 1990, they have reached the 4th Qualifying round of the FA Cup six times, reaching the 1st round proper in 2002–03, losing 0–4 at Luton Town. Reaching it again in the 2010–11 season beating Redditch United 2–1.
In August 2008, just one week before the start of their 2008–09 league season, the club's Nethermoor ground was attacked by arsonists. One third of the main stand was damaged in the early morning blaze. More than 40 seats and wooden flooring were destroyed, which would cost £20,000 to replace.
The Lions won the 2009–10 Northern Premier League on the last day of the season. A 2–0 victory over Ashton United coupled with Boston United drawing with Marine, meant that Guiseley will be playing in the Conference North during the 2010–11 season. This league championship victory capped their centenary year.
They had a great start to Blue Square North life and, as of the end of October 2010, they were third in the league. After a good FA cup run, they eventually lost 5–0 Crawley Town in the first round. They also had a good run in the FA Trophy, reaching the quarter finals before losing 1–0 at home to Luton Town. However, they did win the West Riding County Cup, beating Thackley at Valley Parade 4–2 after extra time.
As well as cup success, Guiseley defied expectations by finishing 5th in the league – their highest league placing in their history – and also earning themselves a place in the play-offs. In the play-off semi-finals they knocked out Boston United – winning the first leg 1–0 thanks to a Warren Peyton blockbuster. Guiseley lost the second leg 3–2 (after extra time) but the game was drawn on aggregate and Guiseley won the penalty shoot-out.
The play-off final is against AFC Telford United at the New Bucks Head on 15 May.They lost this 3–2 and will remain the Blue Square North
They will play in the Conference North for the 2011–12 season. Also, they have sold their top scorer for the 2010–11 season, James Walshaw to Darlington FC, meaning they need a new striker for the coming season.
After boosting their squad in the summer of 2011, Guiseley announced they had re-signed James Walshaw in early 2012 from Darlington to bolster their push for promotion.
At the beginning of March 2012 Guiseley were 4th in the league, 12 points behind league leaders Hyde, but with three games in hand. Guiseley also progressed through to the West Riding Cup final for the second consecutive year. They were knocked out the FA Cup by Ashington FC, a side three divisions below Guiseley. Entering 2012, Guiseley were once again performing well in the league- they also signed Chris Senior from Alfreton on loan and sold Michael Brough to regional rivals Harrogate Town FC in December.By the end of the season they were 2nd narrowly losing the title to Hyde FC and are currently in the play off semi finals. Guiseley will stay in their league for the 2012/13 season.
Guiseley started the new season with a 4–1 win over Histon FC, a 7–1 romping of Droylsden FC, and 2–0 wins over Gainsborough Trinity FC and Workington FC meaning they were top after four games.A 4–0 loss to Chester FC and Brackley Town FC and Chester's winning streaks means Guiseley are second with a game in hand on everyone but Oxford City FC.
Read more about this topic: Guiseley A.F.C.
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