Stephen Kenneth Finney[1] (31 October 1973 – 2 February 2022) was an English professional footballer who played as a forward. He made appearances in The Football League for six clubs.

Steve Finney
Personal information
Full name Stephen Kenneth Finney
Date of birth (1973-10-31)31 October 1973
Place of birth Hexham, England
Date of death 2 February 2022(2022-02-02) (aged 48)
Height 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Position(s) Striker
Youth career
1990–1992 Preston North End
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1992–1993 Preston North End 6 (1)
1993–1995 Manchester City 0 (0)
1995–1998 Swindon Town 73 (18)
1997Cambridge United (loan) 7 (2)
1998–1999 Carlisle United 33 (6)
1999 Leyton Orient 5 (0)
1999 Barrow 10 (1)
1999–2000 Chester City 22 (0)
2000–2002 Altrincham
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Playing career

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Finney began his career as an apprentice with Preston North End, where he made his professional debut during 1991–92. After just six league appearances he moved to Premier League side Manchester City in February 1993, but he failed to make the first team while at Maine Road.

In the summer of 1995, Finney moved to Swindon Town, scoring 12 times in his first season to help them to the Division Two title. Apart from a loan spell with Cambridge United in 1997, Finney remained with Swindon until July 1998, when he moved to Carlisle United. But before the 1998–99 season had finished, Finney had moved on to Leyton Orient for a short spell with the London club.

Finney spent time on trial with Exeter City in the summer of 1999,[2] and then dropped into non–league football with Barrow before returning to The Football League with struggling Chester City on 18 October 1999 after sending his CV to the club.[3] During his 14-month stint at the club, he failed to score a competitive goal and was part of the side that were relegated to the Football Conference. In December 2000 he joined Altrincham, initially on loan. He scored a hat–trick against Whitby Town in his third game for the club.[4] He scored 11 goals in 24 games during his initial loan spell with the club. Following his release from Chester, he made a single cup appearance for Altrincham before his release.[5]

Personal life and death

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Following his retirement from football, Finney worked as a car salesman and business development manager.[6] He also coached Ullswater United in the Westmorland League.[7]

He died on 2 February 2022, at the age of 48.[8]

Honours

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Swindon Town

References

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  1. ^ "Steve Finney". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  2. ^ "Meet the Team". Altrincham F.C. Archived from the original on 13 May 2008. Retrieved 10 May 2008.
  3. ^ "Finney signs". Chester City F.C. 18 October 1999. Retrieved 10 May 2008.
  4. ^ "Finney on target". Chester City F.C. 30 December 2000. Retrieved 10 May 2008.
  5. ^ "Alty Files".
  6. ^ "Alty Files".
  7. ^ "Players".
  8. ^ Colman, Jon (4 February 2022). "Tributes paid to former Carlisle United and Swindon Town star Steve Finney". News & Star.
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