‘Made up’ – former Bristol Rovers captain’s first words after making new move closer to home

Former Bristol Rovers captain Sam Finley has said he is “delighted” to join Tranmere Rovers following his release from the Gas, allowing the Liverpool-born midfielder to be closer to his family.

Finley was one of seven players released by Rovers at the end of last season, who made 121 appearances for the Gas in three seasons, helping them to promotion from League Two and then cementing their place back in League One in the last two campaigns.

The 31-year-old was named club captain before the start of last term but was one of a number of players entering the final year of their contract at the time, with the squad beset by uncertainty throughout the most recent campaign.

Before moving to BS7, Finley played most of his football in the North West with the likes of Accrington Stanley, Fleetwood Town and AFC Fylde on his CV, making the move south a big one for him and his young family. However, the move will allow the midfielder to return home full-time after three years in the South West.

“I’m delighted, you know,” the former Rovers captain told the Tranmere club press. “I made acquaintance. I met the gaffer last week, showed me the training ground last week and had a good chat with him, then I spoke to my agent maybe yesterday and said come in today, do a medical, go and see everyone here and close the deal.

“The size of the club. I’m a big Liverpudlian and when I was younger they always used to play each other in pre-season. It was one of my first away days watching Liverpool against Tranmere. The size of the club and the stadium and the base fans and being closer to home is huge having a girlfriend and two kids living in Liverpool while I was in Bristol so it’s really important to me.

“Obviously I’m back closer to my friends and my family and more importantly the two young children I have that I saw when I was away because I gave everything to move and playing for Bristol Rovers so I’ve rarely been back, I’ve given everything to my career so it’s been hard with the kids to notice a little bit of missing me and things like that, so I’m delighted to be home for them.”

Tranmere have been in League Two for the past four seasons since being relegated on points per game from League One in the 2019/20 season, which was cut short due to the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic. Nigel Adkins’ side finished 16th last term, but given the size and history of the club, there is certainly an ambition to promote this season.

Adkins has Premier League managerial experience with Southampton and Reading and was appointed Tranmere manager on a permanent basis last November after initially returning to his native Birkenhead as technical director last summer.

Finley, meanwhile, was a key figure in Rovers’ promotion back to the third tier two years ago and is clearly targeting another promotion to add to his CV, adding: “I think that’s the goal ( promotion). Talking to the manager and the team. He has at the moment and the players coming to the football club, I think that is the aim to get there or close to the play-offs and get promoted from League 2 to League 1.

“I’ve done it before and I’d like to think I’ve got enough experience of the game on and off the pitch. So I’m looking forward to trying to push this football club to where it belongs.

“I’ve seen little snippets of the owner and things he wants to do next on social media. I haven’t met him yet, but I’ve seen bits and pieces that the club has set up in the future, so the future. looks good for Tranmere Rovers.”

Finley is now the third player of the seven released by the Gas at the end of last season to find a new home after Harvey Greenslade and Lewis Gordon signed for Yeovil Town and Chesterfield respectively. John Marquis, Josh Grant, Ryan Jones and James Gibbons are yet to sign for new clubs. Rovers are still awaiting decisions from Scott Sinclair, Luca Hoole and Jordan Rossiter, who have been offered new deals, with their contracts also set to expire.