Lester Finch

Lester Finch started his career at Hadley before moving to local rivals Barnet FC in 1928 on his 19th birthday. With Barnet he had a long association as outside left and manager (1945-54). During his time as a member of the Barnet side, the club won the FA Amateur Cup in 1946 and several times won the Athenian League Championship four times: 1931, 1932, 1947 and 1948. Between 1928 and 1953 he played 476 games and scored 226 goals for Barnet. During the war he guested for Wolverhampton Wanderers, West Bromwich Albion, Nottingham Forest, Chelsea and Bournemouth. He represented Great Britain at the 1936 Summer Olympics playing both games and scoring one goal against China. With England’s Amateur Team he went on a tour to New Zealand, Australia and Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) in 1937, and South Africa in 1939. In total, he won 24 England amateur caps. He also represented England in 1941, when England played Wales, but he was not awarded a cap as the game was classified as a wartime international match. Finch Close in Barnet is named after him.

Lester Finch published his autobiography in 1988 under the title Playing For Fun. The Lester Finch Trophy is awarded to a successful youth football team. Another Trophy named after him is awarded annually in recognition of services or contribution to the club by the Barnet FC Supporters.