Low-key tie offers Guiseley the chance to make history

When a non-League team battles through to the FA Cup first round, much of the pre-match talk will invariably surround two subjects.

Namely, the potential for a giant-killing act and just how much of a bumper pay day the club in question can look forward to receiving from a sell-out crowd or, even better, the tie being selected for live broadcast.

Conference side Southport, for instance, are this Sunday expecting to bank around 120,000 from their tie against Sheffield Wednesday as the ITV cameras descend on Haig Avenue.

For Guiseley, however, their first appearance in the first round proper in eight years has brought little evidence of either. A home tie against Crawley Town was, even allowing for their standing as the biggest spending side in the Conference and current leaders, never going to be one to entice sufficient neutrals through the turnstiles to test Nethermoor's 3,000 capacity.

Not only that, but competition rules dictate any club travelling a long distance are entitled to an overnight stay to be paid for out of the shared gate receipts – meaning the Lions are facing the prospect of, at best, breaking even on tomorrow's tie.

Despite that, chairman Phil Rogerson insists a price cannot be put on the Conference North club having claimed a place in the first round for only the fifth time in history.

He said: "We have been in the first round proper before but this will be our first tie at Nethermoor. We were drawn at home against Carlisle in the Nineties but had to switch the game to Bradford City's Valley Parade.

"I suppose in reality this was not exactly the tie we wanted. Personally, I would have maybe liked either a team from our own division at home or an away tie against a big Football League club.

"But this will still be a great occasion for the club. We are hoping for a crowd of more than 1,000 with around 200 expected to make the trip from Crawley.

"I would imagine we will be lucky to break even on the day as Crawley are coming such a distance that they will have to stay overnight. That will put a big hole in the receipts, even if the crowd ends up being as big as 1,500.

"But the simple fact is you can't put a price on being in the first round. It creates interest in Guiseley and if we can win then it really will help put the club on the map."

Guiseley, who drew 0-0 with Boston United in midweek to maintain their push for back-to-back promotions, have reached the first round proper four times but are still waiting to taste victory.

The Lions' first appearance came in 1991 when they were handed an away draw against Chester City and lost 1-0, the tie taking place at Macclesfield Town's Moss Rose due to the hosts being in exile at the time.

Three years later, a 'home' tie against Carlisle staged at Valley Parade on police advice ended in a 4-1 defeat.

The club's nadir in the Cup came in 1999 when a trip to Forest Green Rovers saw the then Unibond Premier side trounced 6-0, while their most recent appearance in 2002 ended in a 4-0 defeat to Luton Town at Kenilworth Road.

Rogerson said: "It is a chance to make history as the club has never been in the second round. That would be a major achievement. (Manager) Steve Kittrick has taken us to the highest level we have ever been in the league and we are unbeaten since the opening week of the season.

"In terms of the Cup, what stands out in my mind is the most recent time we made the first round. We played a big team away from home in Luton and it made for a really memorable weekend. We may have lost but it was still a great experience.

"Compared to that season, this has been strangely low-key. We had to put everything into the Cup run (in 2002) and there were a lot of replays that added to the drama."

This time around, Guiseley's

progression to the stage of the Cup where clubs from Leagues One and Two join in has been much more serene.

Resounding 3-0 wins over Colwyn Bay (after a replay) and Whitley Bay were followed by a 2-1 victory over fellow Conference North side Redditch United to set up tomorrow's date with Crawley.

Compared to that trio of sides, Crawley represent an altogether tougher challenge. Under manager Steve Evans, they have spent big in an attempt to reach the Football League with Richard Brodie, who cost 250,000 from York City, being one of several expensive signings.

The Sussex side, who moved to the top of the Conference last weekend with a 4-1 win at Mansfield Town, also recently attempted to lure former Arsenal midfielder Robert Pires to England following his release by Villareal.

It means Crawley represent an almighty obstacle to overcome if history is to be made at Nethermoor tomorrow.

Rogerson, though, points to the impressive form – they are unbeaten in 15 games – that has powered Guiseley, last season's Northern Premier League champions, up to third place in Conference North.

He said: "As a club, we do feel we are moving in the right direction. Last year's promotion has been carried over into this season. Our results have been excellent and there is a real sense of enthusiasm around the place.

"Being in the FA Cup first round, which could see us being shown on television later that night, is an illustration of that. Mind, I remember when we played Forest Green and lost 6-0. None of us could bear to watch that night. Let's hope the Crawley game makes for much more pleasant viewing."

GUISELEY'S RECORD IN THE FA CUP

1st round appearances

Nov 16, 1991:

Chester City 1 Guiseley 0

Nov 13, 1994 (at Bradford): Guiseley 1 Carlisle United 4

Oct 30, 1999:

Forest Green Rvs 6 Guiseley 0

Nov 16, 2002:

Luton Town 4 Guiseley 0

This season's run

Second qualifying round:

Colwyn Bay 1 Guiseley 1

Replay: Guiseley 3 Colwyn Bay 0

Third qualifying round: Guiseley 3 Whitley Bay 0

Fourth qualifying round:

Guiseley 2 Redditch United 1