Heady days for Guiseley - on and off the pitch (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Heady days for Guiseley - on and off the pitch

5:00pm Friday 26th October 2012 in Sport By Ian Whiting

Guiseley boss Steve Kittrick was taking things easy last Sunday when the FA Cup first-round draw was made but when word reached him he was satisfied with the outcome.

The Guiseley manager said: “I wasn’t in front of the telly. I was out for a bit of lunch with the wife but my son texted me as soon as our name came out.

“There could have been more money in a tie against a Football League club but I’m happy that we got a home tie, and being against Barrow it is one we could win. We went up there in the FA Trophy last year and did well.

“On paper it is difficult tie but one both us and Barrow will feel is winnable, so it is a chance to get through. I don’t think Guiseley have ever reached the second round, so that would be a massive achievement.

“But we have to be organised and we can’t get carried away because we have two big league games before then.”

Kittrick was busy looking at Barrow’s Blue Square Bet Premier fixture schedule so that he could run the rule over them but also doing the preparation for tomorrow's Blue Square Bet North Division home clash with Vauxhall Motors and Tuesday’s trip to Lee Sinnott’s Altrincham.

Meanwhile, Guiseley announced a sponsorship deal with JCT 600 this week. The car dealers were once the Bantams’ shirt sponsors and they also back the Bulls.

The deal to support the club will include JCT600 displaying prominent advertising boards at the Nethermoor Park ground on Otley Road.

The firm also sponsored the recent FA Cup game against Colwyn Bay in which Guiseley triumphed, securing a fourth-qualifying round fixture.

Last year, Guiseley had another successful season, with the team achieving its highest ever league position as runners up in the Blue Square Bet North and also retaining the West Riding County Cup.

Jack Tordoff, chairman of JCT600, said: “This is a much-loved local club with a long history. As a Yorkshire business with strong roots in the area, we value the important community role played by sports clubs such as Guiseley AFC and we’re happy to be supporting them.

“Guiseley enjoyed an unbelievable season last year and has already got off to a great start – we wish them the very best of luck in the challenging season ahead. ”

Guiseley AFC director John Gill said: “JCT600’s involvement is a fantastic boost for the club – it’s great to have the support of one of the region’s best known and most successful companies.

"After an amazing summer for British sport, we hope that other businesses will follow JCT600’s lead and commit to investing back into the local sporting community.”