GUISELEY AFC is holding an open day for potential new academy players this weekend.

The event will take place in the clubhouse at Nethermoor between 11am and 12.30pm on Saturday, December 20. Anyone attending will be given free entry to the first team game against Leamington FC afterwards.

The club says it is hoping to expand its youth department in line with its planned off-field developments.

Among those who have benefited from the academy is AFC Bournemouth youngster Ben Whitfield.

He said: “I’m at AFC Bournemouth because of what the Guiseley Academy did for me.

“They helped me with my education and also allowed me to play football to a high standard. I wouldn’t hesitate in joining and would recommend going down to Saturday’s open day.”

The Lions are offering young footballers the chance to have training time of between eight and ten hours with Uefa qualified staff, training facilities with access to conditioning and physiotherapy, the chance to compete in the Football Conference Youth Alliance and the FA Youth Cup, and education opportunities, including Btec Sport level three and A-level with partner colleges.

The club says its academy has a proven track record of players moving into professional and semi-pro football, and many of its academy players have gone on to compete with Guiseley AFC’s first team.

The club is in the final stages of planning a stadium improvement with the addition of new community facilities.

David Currie, head of youth development, said: “As a club we hold the academy in very high regard – the lads are truly the lifeblood of the club.

“The coaching staff work tirelessly to progress our players as footballers by creating a demanding yet supportive environment that allows them to express themselves.

“We encourage our players to reach their academic potential and become well-rounded individuals; to achieve this we have built strong relationships with our educational partners.”

Guiseley has taken on four apprentices through its fledgling youth academy while Yeadon-based charity Avsed is a regular partner in charitable ventures.

In recent years, the club has raised thousands of pounds for charitable causes, both local and further afield.

The club says its multi-purpose community building, part of the second phase of its redevelopment ambitions, will boost the work of the recently formed Guiseley AFC Community Foundation and help its Football Academy.