Guiseley AFC have added experienced goalkeeper Joe Cracknell to their squad for the upcoming season, writes Rachel O’Connor.

Joining the club from Scarborough Athletic Cracknell, a former Bradford City player, is looking to get back to being No 1 after being unexpectedly replaced by Ryan Whitley in the Scarborough goal last season.

The player said: “It came out of the blue, I had just played my 100th game for Scarborough and was Man-of-the- Match in the last game when they brought someone else in. I am keen to show what I can do and am very happy to have been given this opportunity by Guiseley.”

He added: “I met with Mark Bower, Russ O’Neill and Danny Boshell and they outlined their aims for the club. It was a really exciting opportunity for me, a nice new challenge. I cannot wait to get started and be playing a good part in the excellent squad they are assembling.”

Cracknell joined his local club Hull City as a youth player and remained there for five years until he was 20. He then moved on to Bradford City, where he stayed for two years. In that time, he played for City in a pre-season friendly at Guiseley.

He also remembers games against Guiseley when he was in goal for Harrogate Town over a five-year spell.

On leaving Harrogate Cracknell joined Scarborough Athletic, a club where he had had a loan spell from Hull City, where he was No 1 for the full 2022-23 season.

The following season, 2023-24, he started out as first choice and played until November in the first team.

He now has a new opportunity which he is going to grab with both hands. He is all set for getting to know his new teammates when training starts on 29th June.

“I am really looking forward to it and to getting in a good pre-season with some decent friendlies lined up. I am also looking forward to meeting the fans, they are a big part of non-league football,” said Cracknell.

On Cracknell’s decision to leave Scarborough their manager, Jono Greening, said: “We love Crackers and really wanted him to stay and compete for the No 1 jersey, but we fully understand his desire to play regular football.”

Guiseley have also confirmed that Kallan Murphy and Leigh Whelan have left the club after opting not to take up our offer of a new contract. The Irish striker and midfielder have both signed for Vanarama National League North side Marine and depart with our best wishes for their future career.