REPORT BY: MOHAMED HAMZA

GUISELEY volunteer Adam Bridson is carrying on the family legacy as the Lions prepare for an eye-catching FA Cup first round visit to League One side Stevenage.

The Pitching In Northern Premier League Premier Division side battled through four rounds of qualifying where they twice overcame higher tier opposition in Scunthorpe United and Kidderminster Harriers have been rewarded with a trip down south to take on The Boro next month.

And Bridson – who volunteers as Guiseley’s website editor, social media coordinator and programme editor – revealed there’s a real excitement at the club as the Lions aim to reach the promised land of the second round for the third time in their history.

He said: “There’s a real buzz for it, there’s no lie that it could’ve been a more glamorous tie in terms of we could’ve got Bradford City or Huddersfield Town but at the end of the day we got a League One club who are getting 4000-5000 fans in every week and we’ve got to go down to them and prove what we can do.

“It will be a really enjoyable game for us and even if the result doesn’t go our way, it’ll be an enjoyable day out for everyone but hopefully it does and we get back into the second round for the third time in our history.”

A lifelong Guiseley supporter, Bridson was first introduced to the Nethermoor Park terraces after accompanying his father John to matchdays, with the pair eventually volunteering together at the club in various roles before the latter passed away last year.

And the younger Bridson says that the club was like ‘one big family’ during what was undoubtedly a challenging time.

He added: “One of the biggest things about volunteering is when I was going through a rough patch last year, everyone at the club was there to help and support me because it’s one big family.

“As a part of that we did a tribute match to my dad and that involved fans coming and going on the pitch and we also got former players to come back and the funds raised for that was used to purchase the players’ tunnel.

“My dad wasn’t originally from the area, he was from Liverpool so he’d moved over to Leeds and got into Guiseley and it sort of became his club and he was part of the family there.

“Everyone at the club was always on-hand. When my dad was still alive, they arranged a video message for him from current and former players, managers and volunteers because he was in hospital for a short while and we showed that to him and it blew us all away.

“Afterwards, they even helped us with the funeral. We held it at a local crematorium but the period after was held in the clubhouse and the football club printed out pictures and funeral brochures and had a minute’s applause with black armbands in another game.

“Just generally, everyone was there, very supportive, asking if we needed anything, sending us messages, keeping in touch with us and that’s not just volunteers but staff at the club as well.”

Bridson is one of countless volunteers who play paramount roles at non-league clubs throughout the UK, with opportunities to get involved now available through the Pitching In Volunteer Hub.

Through entering their postcode, individuals can locate volunteering opportunities at nearby clubs and discover more details about which roles are available.

For Bridson, there would be no non-league football without the help of volunteers in ensuring that clubs can operate successfully and deliver the matchday experiences that make the beautiful game what it is.

He said: “These football clubs couldn’t operate without volunteers. They’re willing to give up their time for free and they’re all very passionate about the club they’re working for.

“I know for certain if we didn’t have people helping on the pitch or the media or any other role that needs doing, the club couldn’t function, and we wouldn’t be able to have fans at the ground.

“They add to the experience for the supporter but also the staff and players and simply without volunteers, the club would not operate or play at the level we’re playing at.”

Find volunteering opportunities at your local club by visiting https://pitchinginvolunteers.co.uk/