FORMER Aberystwyth boss Gary Finley has revealed he hopes to get
straight back into football management after parting company with
the Park Avenue club last week.

The central defender has since signed non-contract forms for Welsh
Premier rivals TNS and played in their 1-1 pre-season draw against
AFC Telford United last Saturday.

But Finley, who is working towards a Uefa A-licence coaching badge,
has revealed he would like to get involved in football management in
the English pyramid.

The Liverpudlian has confirmed he had left the club by mutual
consent but was quick to thank the Park Avenue club for his five
years as both player and manager.

Finley said the time was right to pursue a new challenge, having
steered Aber back into Europe and achieved the club's highest league
position two years running.

He said: "I've had a few offers to go back playing and, at the age
of 33, I feel I can still do a job as a central defender, but my
main aim is to get back into management.

"The decision to leave Aber was a mutual one between me and the
club. In the end I just felt that it would be better all round if I
left the club and then made a fresh start.

"I've had five great years at the club and I have made a lot of
friends. I have not got a bad word to say about Aber, everyone has
been brilliant and the supporters are superb.

"The club have their ideas on how to move forward and progress, and
I thought I would no longer be able to manage the side as I wanted
to, so it was better if I moved on.

"I felt we under-achieved last year and, despite getting into
Europe, we could have pushed Rhyl and TNS further. This year I had
hoped to move things along a bit more.

"I respect that the club has got its own ideas of moving forward. I
don't want them to do badly, and I'd like to thank everyone involved
for my time with Aberystwyth."

It is understood that the Park Avenue club had imposed a limit of
six 'non-local' players for next season, which meant that Finley had
already had to release several first teamers.

Having already got his quota of 'outsiders' from last season, Finley
could only look locally for new players in an effort to further
strengthen the squad for the new season.

Liverpool-based midfielder John Lawless became the eighth player
from last season's squad to leave following discussions with members
of the club's board on Wednesday.

The club had wanted Lawless, a former FA Trophy winner with
Burscough, to stay at Park Avenue but he had wanted out, despite
still having a year left on his contract

Lawless played alongside Finley for TNS against AFC Telford last
week and looks set to be joined by last season's Players' Player of
the Year Lee Spike at Llansantffraid.

Saints boss Ken McKenna has confirmed that he put seven days notice
of approach on the Liverpool-based striker, who will become the
ninth player to leave Park Avenue.

The future of the only remaining Liverpudlian at Park Avenue,
defender Phil Baker, is also in doubt after he failed to turn out
for the second half of their friendly against Goytre United last
weekend.

Andy Lee, Ged Hennigan, Jon Worsnop, Ricky Evans, Anthony Wright,
and Chris Short have also left the club after Aber's qualification
for Europe last season.

• Aberystwyth-based defender Luke Berridge has signed for Mid Wales
rivals Newtown prior to the start of the season, having made just
six appearances as substitute for the Seasiders last season.

The Sudanese-born former Penglais High School was a member of the
Aberystwyth Academy and one of the up-and-coming youngsters tipped
to progress into the side.

Copyright Tindle Newspapers Ltd 11 August 04