Rob Laney Departs The Blues

Wingate & Finchley can announce that Rob Laney has departed the club after 252 appearances to seek a new challenge. Since joining the Blues in the summer of 2014, Rob established himself as a firm fans' favourite and was a popular member of the changing room. In his first season, his partnership with David Knight helped the Blues to a strong mid-table finish, with the forward repeating his exploits with Billy Healey the following season. In our historic play-off season, Laney scored important goals including a winner at home to Folkestone as well as crucial strikes versus Grays and Kingstonian in our long unbeaten run. In his final season, Laney bagged a brace versus Dulwich Hamlet in the FA Trophy First Round, on what became a world-famous weekend for the club. As well as his brace, including a screamer from outside the box, Laney was part of the goalmouth scramble that gained the Blues media attention across the globe. Rob's service to the club also included his coaching of the U11 then U12 teams, an avenue he chose to explore as he reached the latter years of his career - and this is a role he will continue to play for the development of his youth players. Aron Sharpe said, "Rob has been a tremendous servant to the club. To remain at the same club for half a decade is no small achievement, and Laney has scored some huge goals for us during his time here. His work ethic and desire is difficult to find at any level, and we'd like to thank him for his tremendous service. He, of course, will be welcomed back to the club with open arms as a true friend of everybody connected with Wingate & Finchley. We wish him all the best but know that this is farewell, and not goodbye. Rob Laney said, "Wingate became part of my family and leaving has been the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make. Thank you to all the fans and staff at Wingate, you've been brilliant and I have made friends for life at this club. But a special thank you to Aron Sharpe who believed in me at this level and gave me the chance five years ago, I will forever be grateful to him. And to all the players who have been on the journey with me, I love you all and good luck this season!"