Match Report

Glorious Guisborough in historic League title win and promotion!!

CARLISLE CITY 1, GUISBOROUGH TOWN 4

(Northern League – Division One)

The truly magnificent men of glorious Guisborough Town assured themselves of a place in Club history by winning promotion out of the Northern League for the first time in 41 years with an emphatic 4-1 victory at Carlisle City on Saturday.

As the final whistle sounded after an incredibly memorable match, it sparked unbridled scenes of joyous jubilation from both the Guisborough Town players, team management and their truly tremendous travelling fans.

The final result was all the more meritorious for the Priorymen after the shock of going behind after only 14 minutes to a fiercely Jordan Holt shot out on the left.

But Guisborough hit back in scintillating style with two tremendous quickfire goals in the 30th and 32nd minutes – the first from quick-thinking top scorer Kurtis Howes and then another absolute corker from a ridiculously tight angle from Matty Willshaw to completely turn the tables for a 2-1 lead which the Priorymen maintained to the half-time break.

HUGE IMPORTANCE

After the interval, Guisborough  continued to dominate but at 2-1 there’s  always a possible way back for the opposition in any football match, let alone one of such huge importance as this one!

But then, in just two more unbelievable minutes midway through the second half, the Priorymen made absolutely sure of victory and the coveted league title and promotion with goals from Jack Bailey and the irrepressible Willshaw on 73 and 74 minutes respectively.

Bailey’s goal stemmed from a deep cross which the Carlisle ‘keeper spilled and the ever alert Jack pounced to rifle the ball home for 3-1. Cue more jubilation from the Guisborough dugout and the travelling fans massed behind them.

Then cue even more absolutely positive pandemonium just a minute later when Willshaw chased a ball, brilliantly beat the last defender slammed the ball home for 4-1. Right then the whole of the travelling Guisborough Town contingent knew they were witnessing a glorious moment in the club’s 53-year history.

WHAT RESULT MEANS FOR CLUB

After the game Guisborough Town’s Manager Nathan Haslam and current Chairman Andy Bell and his predecessor Andy Willis all spoke eloquently about what the result at Carlisle actually meant for the club.

After securing the league title in only his first year at the club, Nathan commented: “Obviously I’m delighted. It’s been a long season but credit to all the boys and Shildon who have pushed us absolutely all the way – but we’ve kept our standards high throughout the campaign.

“But as well as the efforts the players have put in, there’s their families, our fans and supporters, our committee and volunteers – this honour is for everybody, and I’ve just reiterated that in the dressing room,” added Nathan.

This sentiment was emphatically echoed by the club’s ‘two Andy’s’ – Bell (current Chairman) and Willis (Andy B’s recent predecessor).

“UNBELIEVABLE CELEBRATIONS”

Said Andy Bell: “We’ve seen some absolutely unbelievable celebrations here after the final whistle. Carlisle put us through it with that early goal but we rallied superbly with some great performances and some great goals – but that’s how we’ve been all season really.

“This is such a fitting tribute to the hard work that goes on both on and off the field that often nobody sees. It’s down to the hours and hours and days and days that everyone involved in our Club from the Board down – not to mention the years and years of preparation by many, many people that’s got us to this point, it’s absolutely amazing,” added a delighted Andy Bell.

Andy Willis added: “When you look back over the past 20 years or so, we’ve come such a long way when you consider the state the club was in with us having to re-apply to stay in the Second Division of the League.

“IT’S DIFFICULT TO PUT INTO WORDS”

“We’ve done incredibly well after some massive ups and downs along the way, it’s been an incredible journey which is difficult to put into words.  It’s unbelievable that we’ve got to this point and won the league – I never thought I’d see this day.  Just unbelievable!” continued Andy W.

Interviewer Chris Wood asked about the brilliant support for the Club – not just for this season but over the past 53 years of the Club’s history.  Andy Bell responded:

“The support we’ve  seen throughout the season has built and built and at times I think we’ve had more supporters at away games than the home sides.

“So the hopes of everybody associated with the Club and the momentum we’ve created have been building and building and it’s just been fantastic. The main reason we do it for is so that we can all enjoy really special moments like this,” he said.

“UNBELIEVABLE. AMAZING”

Andy Willis added: “The feeling that’s been growing around the club over the past two to four years leading to where we’ve got to today, is just incredible. From our brilliant matchday experiences at home that we now offer and the togetherness and the family feeling we have is just unbelievable, amazing.”

Asked by Chris Wood about how important it was only 53 weeks ago when the Club board met to discuss appointing a new manager and how to progress from that day forward, Andy Willis replied: “We sat there in that meeting discussing the appointment of Nathan and we were all excited – none more than Club legend  Gary Wood who said we’d then go on to win the league!”

Andy Wills continued: “We all thought that was a bit optimistic, but once we got speaking with Nathan and Gary we started to build a belief that there was some mileage in what they were saying and that if we could back them as a Club then they could go on and do it and the proof is in the pudding and winning the league is exactly what they’ve done!”

“PROFESSIONALISM HAS SHONE THROUGH”

Andy Bell added: “Without a doubt it’s the professionalism that Nathan has instilled in the management team and the whole team squad has shone through and it has been absolute class to witness.”

“I fully echo that,” added Andy Willis.

Back to the Club’s brilliant and inspirational team boss Nathan: “You can’t underestimate just how great this achievement is. The Northern League is a tough league to get out of.

“We set our aspirations at the start of the season that we wanted to win it – I can say that now – so credit to everybody, not just the players but the incredibly high standards we set all around the club. It’s very fitting too that we’ve achieved what we wanted with a game to go,” added Nathan.

“WE SET THE BAR HIGH” – NATHAN

He continued: “I’m delighted that everything has gone to plan over the past year but that goes hand in hand with a lot of hard work by everyone involved in the Club. We set the bar and our standards high and we haven’t rested on our laurels.

“The resilience and togetherness in the squad is plain to see and hear in the dressing room right now. We’ve got 23 lads with us here today and a bunch of young lads as well for the experience.

“It’s all gone like clockwork really but just to reiterate once again it’s not just what we’ve achieved as a team it’s the importance of this tremendous following we’ve had this season and it’s massively appreciated not just today but throughout the season.

“Our home attendances have been phenomenal and the fans have followed us through thick and thin both home and away and the boys know and appreciate that and recognise that good things have been happening at the club all season.

“MASSIVE OPPORTUNITY” – NATHAN

“I think it’s important now that we all enjoy it and myself included for at least a couple of weeks but we now start to look ahead to next season and the prep work has already begun. It’s a massive opportunity now for us all and for me personally as well.

“It’s been one huge effort from everyone concerned at the Club and we should new just take a little time out to enjoy it.”

Looking ahead to.next week’s match at Shildon, Nathan very humbly said that in any other season Shildon would have been good enough to win the league.

“They are a fantastic club with a great management  team and when we go there next week we’ll go about our business as we always do – but we’ll be gracious towards Shildon at the same time,” added Nathan.

FINAL REFLECTIONS OF ANDY BELL

Final reflections from Andy Bell: “A year ago we had an ambition and a plan for the Club and we have executed that plan really well and with admirable professionalism.

“Our success is for everyone who puts the hard work in for the Club, particularly behind the scenes which not everyone sees.

“This fantastic achievement is for all the partners and family members of all the Club Board along with the Club staff, volunteers, sponsors and supporters. This gives us something to cherish what it has all been for.

“We had our vision and a plan a year ago and we have executed that really well and achieved our desired outcome of becoming Champions of the Northern League.

“Although I am the current Chairman, it has to be said that our achievements could not have been made without the dedication of the two Chairmen before me – Andy Willis and Don Cowan – to help ensure that tbe Club had a stable and viable foundation for the future.

“But for now, we look forward to Shildon next Saturday and towards building for next season,” added Andy.

Report by Bill Perfitt.