Lions ready for electric atmosphere

1:36pm Friday 14th November 2008

By Ian Whiting

Sunday’s UniBond Premier Division clash with FC United of Manchester is expected to be played out in front of a bumper Nethermoor crowd but Guiseley are keen to remind locals it is not an all-ticket match.

Lions officials have liaised with the police and they have asked that the club segregate the two sets of supporters, which is something that can be done by using different turnstiles.

Director and press officer Stuart Allen explained: “Our fans will be streamed through the top gate, the one by the main car park, which will mean the home supporters will be on the Ings Avenue side of the ground.

“The visiting supporters will be coming in through the two turnstiles by the small car park in front of the clubhouse.

“The ground is straightforward to steward but the bar and clubhouse isn’t, so unfortunately the bar will be open to members only on the day.”

Guiseley could find themselves outnumbered on the stands but they will not be underdogs on the pitch, with Tuesday’s 4-0 win at relegation-threatened Worksop Town lifting them up to second place.

They also have three games in hand on leaders Hednesford Town going into this weekend but trail by just three points. Their visitors are mid-table, 11 points adrift of Guiseley having played the same number of games.

FC United, formed by disgruntled supporters of the Old Trafford outfit of a similar name, play their home games at Gigg Lane, Bury’s headquarters, and boast a following of more than 2,000.

They informed Guiseley to expect at least 800 fans travelling from Manchester, so the atmosphere at Nethermoor should be electric.