Keith Finch

{{Infobox football biography

|name = Keith Finch

|image =

|image_size =

|caption =

|fullname = Keith George Finch

|birth_date = {{birth date|1982|5|6|df=y}}

|birth_place = Easington Lane, Tyne and Wear, England

|death_date =

|death_place =

|height = {{height|ft=6}}

|position = Goalkeeper

|youthyears1 = – |youthclubs1 = Darlington

|years1 = 1999–2002 |clubs1 = Darlington |caps1 = 12 |goals1 = 0

|years2 = 2002 |clubs2 = Bishop Auckland

|years3 = 2002–2004 |clubs3 = Seaham Red Star

|years4 = 2004–2005 |clubs4 = Gateshead |caps4 = 16 |goals4 = 0

|years5 = 2005–2006 |clubs5 = Sunderland Nissan

|years6 = 2006–2008 |clubs6 = Seaham Red Star

|years7 = 2008–2009 |clubs7 = Spennymoor Town

|years8 = 2009–2017 |clubs8 = Shildon

|years9 = 2017 |clubs9 = West Auckland Town

|years10 = 2017–2018 |clubs10= Sunderland RCA

|years11 = 2018–2019 |clubs11= Easington Colliery

}}

Keith George Finch (born 6 May 1982) is an English footballer who played as a goalkeeper. He played in the Football League for Darlington and in non-league football in the north-east of England for a variety of clubs, which included eight years with Northern League club Shildon.

Life and career

Finch was born in Easington Lane, County Durham.{{cite web |url=http://www.footballsquads.co.uk/eng/2001-2002/d3/darli.htm |title=2001/02: English Football League Division Three: Darlington |website=FootballSquads.com |accessdate=11 December 2014}} He began his football career as a YTS trainee with Darlington. He made an unexpected debut for the club at the age of 17, in the FA Cup first round tie against Southport in October 1999, as a half-time replacement for injured goalkeeper Andy Collett. The Sunday Mirror reported that Finch produced "three super saves" to help preserve Darlington's one-goal lead.{{cite news |url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:DSM1&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=138E131AE7838E08&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=0D0CB57AB53DF815 |title=FA Cup: Gabbi rescues lucky Quakers |newspaper=Sunday Mirror |location=London |date=31 October 1999 |page=82 |accessdate=16 December 2019 |via=Newsbank}}
{{soccerbase season|18146|1999|accessdate=30 November 2016}} He had to wait more than two years for his first appearance in the Football League, again substituting for Collett, and this time making "a string of fine saves" as Darlington beat Lincoln City 2–1 in the Third Division.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/1786598.stm |title=Darlington 2–1 Lincoln |website=BBC Sport |date=28 January 2002 |accessdate=16 December 2019}}{{soccerbase season|18146|2001|accessdate=30 November 2016}} He had a run of games in the first team while Collett was returning to fitness,{{cite news |url=http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/7084423.Darlington_boss_delighted_with_keeper_Finch/ |title=Darlington boss delighted with keeper Finch |newspaper=The Northern Echo |location=Darlington |date=15 February 2002 |accessdate=30 November 2016}} but when Collett suffered a collapsed lung at the beginning of March, Finch was left as the only fit goalkeeper at the club.{{cite news |url=http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/7082159.No_respite_for_crisis_hit_Quakers/ |title=No respite for crisis-hit Quakers |newspaper=The Northern Echo |location=Darlington |date=8 March 2002 |accessdate=30 November 2016}}
{{cite news |url=http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/darlington-and-hartlepool-updates-3853050 |title=Darlington and Hartlepool updates |newspaper=Evening Gazette |location=Middlesbrough |date=13 March 2002 |accessdate=11 December 2014}} The last of Finch's 12 league appearances was in a defeat to York City on 16 March. Later that month, Darlington signed Chris Porter on a pay-as-you-play basis, though with owner George Reynolds unwilling to pay, a fans' website raised money to cover Porter's wages.{{cite news |url=http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/7080087.Darlington_supporters_pledge_to_help_keeper/ |title=Darlington supporters pledge to help keeper |newspaper=The Northern Echo |location=Darlington |date=26 March 2002 |accessdate=30 November 2016}} Finch was one of several players to be released when their contracts expired at the end of the season.{{cite news |url=http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/7063458.Experience_is_key_to_success/ |title=Experience is key to success |newspaper=The Northern Echo |location=Darlington |date=13 August 2002 |accessdate=30 November 2016}}

He signed for Northern Premier League club Bishop Auckland,{{cite news |url=https://www.burnleyexpress.net/sport/nelson-football-disappointing-week-1-1673396 |title=Nelson football – disappointing week! |newspaper=Burnley Express |date=6 September 2002 |accessdate=16 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141216061157/https://www.burnleyexpress.net/sport/nelson-football-disappointing-week-1-1673396 |archive-date=16 December 2014}} but his time there was interrupted by injury and he was released in early November.{{cite news |url=http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/7057517.Honour_wants_winners/ |title=Honour wants winners |newspaper=The Northern Echo |location=Darlington |date=5 October 2002 |accessdate=30 November 2016}}
{{cite news |url=http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/7053722.Unibond_League__Caffrey_handed_keeper_s_gloves/ |title=Unibond League: Caffrey handed keeper's gloves |newspaper=The Northern Echo |location=Darlington |date=9 November 2002 |accessdate=30 November 2016}} Finch then moved into the Northern League with Seaham Red Star,{{cite news |url=http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/7046892.The_Albany_Northern_League_Today__Hat_trick_hero_ensures_Town_are_in_good_shape/ |title=The Albany Northern League Today: Hat-trick hero ensures Town are in good shape |newspaper=The Northern Echo |location=Darlington |date=13 January 2003 |accessdate=30 November 2016}} returning to the Northern Premier with Gateshead in October 2004.{{cite web |url=http://www.gateshead-fc.com/1275/two-new-signings |title=Two new signings |publisher=Gateshead F.C. |date=30 October 2004 |accessdate=11 December 2014 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304050645/http://www.gateshead-fc.com/1275/two-new-signings |archivedate=4 March 2016}} After five months and 23 appearances, 16 in the league, he left.{{cite web |url=http://www.gateshead-fc.com/1301/three-new-signings |title=Three new signings |publisher=Gateshead F.C. |date=20 March 2005 |accessdate=11 December 2014 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304055117/http://www.gateshead-fc.com/1301/three-new-signings |archivedate=4 March 2016}}
{{cite web|url=http://www.freewebs.com/gfcstats/0405.htm |title=Gateshead F.C. Season 2004/05 |website=Gateshead FC Stats 1977–2014 |publisher=Alan Percival |accessdate=11 December 2014 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141213014758/http://www.freewebs.com/gfcstats/0405.htm |archivedate=13 December 2014}} He spent time with Northern League Sunderland Nissan,{{cite news |url=http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/other-sport/billingham-syn-1-sunderland-nissan-1604255 |title=Billingham Syn 1, Sunderland Nissan 0 |newspaper=Evening Chronicle |location=Newcastle upon Tyne |date=18 December 2005 |accessdate=11 December 2014}} before returning to Seaham for two seasons, in the first of which he was player of the year as the club were promoted as runners-up to the Northern League Premier Division.{{cite news |url=http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/874447.Bishops_ready_to_make_their_Northern_League_return/ |title=Bishops ready to make their Northern League return |newspaper=The Northern Echo |location=Darlington |date=11 August 2006 |accessdate=30 November 2016}}
{{cite news |url=http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/1426948.League_ponder_play_offs_poser/ |title=League ponder play-offs poser |newspaper=The Northern Echo |location=Darlington |date=25 May 2007 |accessdate=30 November 2016}} His next port of call was Spennymoor Town: no sooner had he saved a penalty and scored his own in the shootout that took his team through to the last 16 of the 2008–09 FA Vase, than he was transfer-listed and sold to Shildon after Spennymoor received an unexpected bill.{{cite news |url=http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/4075648.Finch_is_the_hero_for_Moors/ |title=Finch is the hero for Moors |first=Ray |last=Simpson |newspaper=The Northern Echo |location=Darlington |date=26 January 2009 |accessdate=11 December 2014}}
{{cite news |url=http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/4144136.Non_League_preview/ |title=Non-League preview |first=Ray |last=Simpson |newspaper=The Northern Echo |location=Darlington |date=21 February 2009 |accessdate=11 December 2014}}
{{cite news |url=http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/4162558.Non_League__Consett_suffering_with_injuries/ |title=Non-League: Consett suffering with injuries |newspaper=The Northern Echo |location=Darlington |date=28 February 2009 |accessdate=11 December 2014}} He helped the club reach the semi-final of the 2012–13 FA Vase, in which they lost to Tunbridge Wells,{{cite news |url=http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/football/northernleague/division1/news_articles/10324824.Agony_for_Shildon_as_they_miss_out_on_Wembley_trip/ |title=Agony for Shildon as they miss out on Wembley trip |first=Ray |last=Simpson |newspaper=The Northern Echo |location=Darlington |date=31 March 2013 |accessdate=11 December 2014}} and continued as goalkeeping coach and increasingly occasional player until manager Gary Forrest and his staff left the club in January 2017.{{cite web |url=http://www.clubwebsite.co.uk/shildonafc01/108112/Players/view/987404 |title=Keith Finch |publisher=Shildon A.F.C. |accessdate=28 August 2014 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120616090840/https://www.clubwebsite.co.uk/shildonafc01/108112/Players/view/987404 |archivedate=16 June 2012}}
{{cite web |url=http://www.shildonafc.com/player/keith-finch/ |title=Keith Finch |publisher=Shildon A.F.C. |accessdate=12 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141215052614/http://www.shildonafc.com/player/keith-finch/ |archive-date=15 December 2014}}
{{cite news |url=http://www.swd.news/shock-as-shildon-afc-management-resign/ |title=Shock as Shildon AFC management resign |newspaper=Shildon & District Town Crier |date=23 January 2017 |accessdate=16 December 2019}} Finch followed Forrest to West Auckland Town at the end of the season,{{cite news |url=http://teesdalemercury.blogspot.com/2017/05/new-manager-begins-rebuilding-west.html |title=New manager begins rebuilding West Auckland Town FC 'from top to bottom' |newspaper=Teesdale Mercury |date=6 May 2017 |accessdate=16 December 2019}} but moved on to Sunderland RCA early in 2017–18,{{cite web |url=http://nonleague.pitchero.com/features/latest-moves-10/ |title=Latest moves |website=Pitchero Non-League |date=7 October 2017 |accessdate=16 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191216110820/http://nonleague.pitchero.com/features/latest-moves-10/ |archive-date=16 December 2019}} and spent the 2018–19 season with Easington Colliery.{{cite news |url=http://nonleague.today/news/details.php?news_id=1740 |title=Latest moves |website=Non League Today |date=1 September 2017 |accessdate=16 December 2019}}
{{cite web |url=https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/easingtoncollieryafc/teams/55589/match-centre/0-4440451/report |title=Colliers narrowly beaten by ten-man Crook |first=Connor |last=Lamb |publisher=Easington Colliery A.F.C. |date=13 April 2019 |access-date=5 May 2023}}

Finch played in goal as Hetton Lyons won the FA Sunday Cup in 2008, 2010 and 2012.{{cite web |url=http://www.ddsl.org.uk/core/teamSheet.aspx?fixtureID=4243 |title=Hetton Lyons Cricket Club 2–1 Oyster Martyrs |publisher=Durham & District Sunday League |accessdate=12 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141213014535/http://www.ddsl.org.uk/core/teamSheet.aspx?fixtureID=4243 |archive-date=13 December 2014}}{{cite news |url=http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/2228799.Hetton_reclaim_Sunday_cup/ |title=Hetton reclaim Sunday cup |first=Craig |last=Stoddart |newspaper=The Northern Echo |location=Darlington |date=27 April 2008 |accessdate=11 December 2014}}
{{cite news |url=http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/8119756.Hetton_Lyons_4_Boston_Magnet_Tavern_2/ |title=Rae brace seals third triumph |first=Ray |last=Simpson |newspaper=The Northern Echo |location=Darlington |date=26 April 2010 |accessdate=11 December 2014}} He has also been involved with youth football club Hetton Juniors as coach and chairman.{{cite news |url=http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/10143494.House_builder_supports_youth_football/ |title=House builder supports youth football |first=Gavin |last=Havery |newspaper=The Northern Echo |location=Darlington |date=6 January 2013 |accessdate=12 December 2014}}
{{cite news |url=http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/10783726.Youth_team_gives_opponents_the_blues_in_newly_donated_kit/ |title=Hetton Juniors gives opponents the blues in new kit |first=Bruce |last=Unwin |newspaper=The Northern Echo |location=Darlington |date=4 November 2013 |accessdate=12 December 2014}}