Double Loan Boost For Relegation-Threatened Guiseley

By Steve Whitney

Guiseley AFC have become the sixth loan club for SkyBet League One side Oxford United`s forward James Roberts, joining the Lions until January 13th.

Roberts joined Oxford from Wycombe Wanderers when he was 16 and immediately impressed everyone with his goalscoring exploits.

He was leading scorer for the youth team in both his last two seasons at that level and it came as little surprise when he was offered a professional contract by the U`s in May 2014.

The 21-year-old netted a brace in an FA Cup win against Grimsby on his first-team debut in November 2014 and followed up with another in his first League start at York City the following week.

His winning goal at Plymouth Argyle in December 2014 was voted Oxford’s goal of the season for 2014/15.

Roberts spent the first half of the 2015/16 season on loan with Chester FC and Oxford City and the second half with Barnet.

And then the first half of the 2016/17 season back at Oxford City before going to Stalybridge Celtic from February 2017 until the end of that season.

Guiseley have also brought in defender Adam Crookes from Championship side Nottingham Forest until January 13th.

Crookes joined Forest as a schoolboy and progressed all the way through the academy system.

Crookes, who is able to play at the back or in midfield, was a regular captain of the under-18 side which finished top of the their division in 2015/16 and reached the fifth round of the FA Youth Cup.

He played an important part during Forest`s run in the FA Youth Cup and scored the equaliser against Liverpool at The City Ground in the fifth round before Forest were eventually beaten 2-1 in stoppage time.

Crookes made the step up to feature regularly in the under-23 side in 2016/17 and is hoping to continue his progress.

(Photo: Adam Crookes - Dan Westwell)

Where next?

Nuneaton Take Stevenage Midfielder On A Month`s Loan Central midfielder James Ferry has joined Nuneaton Town on loan from SkyBet League Two side Stevenage FC until January 13th.
East Thurrock Bring Orient Defender Back For A Month Young defender Michael Clark has re-joined East Thurrock United on a month`s loan from National League neighbours Leyton Orient.

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