Lane named as new director of football

Ryman Premier Wingate & Finchley have appointed Simon Lane as their new director of football.

Lane, pictured, was named on Monday as the successor to David Norman who stepped down at the weekend following their final outing of the campaign, Saturday's 3-2 defeat at Canvey Island.

Lane has managed in Malta at Premier League level, at Windsor & Eton, scouted for AFC Wimbledon and most recently spent many years in Conference South at Maidenhead United as manager Johnson Hippolyte's first team coach.

As well as leading the club's first-team management structure, Lane will oversee and drive the youth development programme at the Harry Abrahams Stadium.

Wingate & Finchley chairman Aron Sharpe said: "Simon is a coach that I made contact with many years ago and have watched closely. We have spoken on various occasions but for one reason or another the opportunity has simply not arisen for us to work together. He is a UEFA 'A' qualified coach and also holds the UEFA academy managers license.

"As a club with the emphasis on player development and with Simon's experience and in-depth knowledge of all the players around our level and above, this partnership is very exciting. I am keen for Simon to begin his work with Wingate & Finchley."

Lane said: "This has the potential to be a great period for the football club, in terms of longer term initiatives off the pitch supporting sustainability, and continuing to show improvements on the playing side.

“I have long admired the club and its ethos and as an ambitious manager, now is a good time for me to widen my first team managerial role to additionally cover the wider development opportunities that we can bring for the young players in North London and surrounding areas."

He added: "I personally can't wait to get started working with the players and the rest of the Wingate & Finchley family."

After guiding the Blues as manager to a 2011 treble of the Ryman League Cup, London Senior Cup and promotion via the play-offs, Lane's predecessor Norman took over as director of football in 2013.

Working alongside manager Daniel Nielsen this season, he helped the club to set a new best ever points total in the Ryman's top flight of 67, beating their record of 59 points from the 2011-12 campaign.

Image courtesy of Wingate & Finchley FC

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