Guiseley AFC's FA Cup exploits seem to have brought them an army of new fans. They marched south on Saturday for the FA Cup first round proper tie with Second Division Luton Town and 'Neil Parsley's Barmy Army' certainly made themselves heard in the Oak Stand at Kenilworth Road.

It seems the Guiseley contingent was the biggest away crowd Luton had seen this season. They continually cheered the cup minnows on against the professional club and were joined at the end by the Luton crowd who rose to salute Guiseley's cup heroes and in particular goalkeeper Chris Hill who had the game of his life.

The Luton fans were warm in their praise for the UniBond Division One side after a day in which each and every one of the travelling band of Guiseley supporters, numbering around the 600 mark, had thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

It was a day when the Guiseley club made many new friends and it is hoped that some of those travelling to this game for their first view of the local side will now turn up at the club's Nethermoor Park ground to continue the experience of supporting a non-league club.

Many went to the game on coaches organised by the club while many others travelled by car. Whatever way they got their they certainly had a good day out - one they will remember for a long time even if the result did not go their way.

Guiseley were under no illusion that if Luton had a good day then they would be on a hiding to nothing but the brave boys of Guiseley battled hard, played some decent football and won over the home fans so that their supporters left the ground with nothing but happy memories.

One of those experiencing the famous Guiseley fellowship for the first time was young mother Lesley Taylor of Fairway, Guiseley. Her husband Gary is a Guiseley supporter and they decided to take their two children to the game.

Lesley said: "We had a great day, the kids really enjoyed it. There was a great spirit among all the people there. It was superb when the players arrived back at the club and got a great reception.

"Non-league football is really good to watch as a family and we will certainly be going to Nethermoor as a family now. The match at Luton was great, the whole atmosphere. Everybody was so friendly. You can't always take the kids to professional league football but Saturday was a real family affair. The kids found it really exciting."

Mike Nelson, of the Lilacs, Guiseley, is a former Chairman of Guiseley AFC. He went along to the game with his 14 year-old grandson Ashley Dibb of Yeadon.

Mike said: "Ashley comes to the home games with me but he really wanted to travel to this one. He had a great day, the atmosphere was superb. The fans were making a lot of noise and I just hope a lot of them now turn up at Nethermoor to cheer the team on.

"Guiseley is a nice friendly club and the players got a great reception when they returned. Let's hope the good times are coming back again."

Another family who travelled to the game were the Missins of Bramhope. Mum Sue said: "We enjoy watching the team at Nethermoor and we decided to go to the Luton game. We love going to Guiseley because of the nice friendly atmosphere but this matched it. We had a brilliant day.

"My daughter Katherine, 6, was asked to talk about famous Yorkshire people at Rainbows and the only person she wanted to talk about was Guiseley striker Ryan Senior."

Sue said son Jonathan, 9, had slept in his Guiseley FA Cup T-shirt and she couldn't get it off him.

"He was ready for the game at 7.30 am. It was just like Christmas Day for him. He had a broad beaming smile all day."

Sue added: "When we faced the long drive home up the M1 you never got the feeling that the team had lost, you still had a great feeling. The team really did us proud."

Husband Nick said: "The Guiseley players and fans made the day. They were all determined to enjoy themselves. The lads from St Mary's School certainly gave their teacher Richard Chattoe a great cheer."