Finn-tastic

By Simon Wright

Kyle Finn lands in the Yeltz net -  Again.  Still Step One fresh

Our latest signing shows once again that not all the best non-league players play in the top leagues. Some make pragmatic decisions, putting long-term career and family before football dreams just as many supporters are obliged to do.

Twice Kyle Patrick Finn has put career before higher-level club and opted for Halesowen both times, the second time walking away from a full year of contract.   There’s reflected pleasure here, reinforced by the message from Kyle’s mum Suzi clear her whole family felt welcome at the Yeltz.  Both times the manager who lost his talents spoke at length about their dismay. Neither wanted him to go. Andy Peake Tamworth Gaffer said “he goes with my best wishes and he will always be welcome back at the Lamb.”

Kyle’s family life has changed.  Their village home between Rugby and Coventry feels different. At the end of March, he and his long-term partner Bailey became proud parents to Ronan Patrick. This happy arrival on top of his day job with his alma mater Coventry City FC academy (in reality, more of an evening job) made life complicated. The fitness standards needed at Tamworth to compete with full-time clubs are demanding. His team mate Tommy Tonks revealed he was in the gym 7 days a week.  The brutal reality for Kyle is that Tom Mcglinchey was starting in his right midfield slot.  His game time was limited (only 13 starts) and no goals since August. Travelling all over the country to sit on a bench isn’t much fun.  Part tine ‘ballers want to play.

Kyle’s story started in Warwickshire.  He was born in Leamington, and was quickly signed up to the Coventry City Academy aged 9. Jak Hickman was his team mate.  Opportunities became scarce for the young pro and he was lent to Tamworth, a loan period cut short by an approach from Hereford. The Bulls trained two mornings a week at Coventry University so were a better fit and were willing to buy out the remaining contract.  The midflelder was only 20 and had much to learn about adult football.  He learnt quickly in some areas with remarkable running stats at 12 or 13 kilometres every game.  His personal highlight and his last match during covid-wrecked seasons was reaching the FA Trophy Final at Wembley.  Hereford were 1-0 up and Kyle sent in a glorious cross which Butlin couldn’t quite convert. A 2-0 lead then would surely have secured a trophy and changed lives. As it was, Hornchurch rallied to win 3-1. 

When Finn chose to leave, Bulls manager Josh Gowling said “the reality with the budget, we couldn’t give him the increase he needed. He got that from work which meant that he couldn’t commit to training in the mornings and he had to go to evening training, he thought that was the best. It’s frustrating because if you look at Finn and put an end product into his game, he’s a very good player and he should go on to another level.”  The midfielders HFC record was 68 appearances and two goals. Profound words, ones perhaps now recalled as Gowling is now a colleague at the Cov Academy.

Kyle chose Halesowen as the best fit around his then day job of promoting Herbalife products.  With the Yeltz in Step 4, Kyle immediately stood out.  He was mainly used in his favourite “no 10” position.  A much-aired terrace view at the time was “If Kyle plays, so do Halesowen.”  Finn found the net on his debut v Cambridge City and by seasons end had amassed 15 goals in 38 League matches.  Such data gets you noticed as do set piece skills and dribbling ability.

Tamworth came calling in June 2022 and their higher status was beguiling.  The Lambs finished champions of Step 3 and in National League North, Finn had an outstanding season. He scored 14 times, the 12th highest scorer in the Division.  I saw him a couple of times and he looked so different.  On a different forum, I recall scribing “Finn, who used to have patches of good form suddenly looks like a world-beater.”  Tamworth .. Finn, Wllets et al.. were promoted to the National League.

At 26. Kyle is at his peak. His mobility and his eye for a goal makes his arrival exciting. Welcome back Kyle and indeed welcome back to the Finn family – Suzi, dad Paul, brother Freddie, Bailey, Lara, Ronan et al.