Forest Green Rovers fans will sing “He’s one of our own” to young midfielder Finley Bell and he truly is. Growing up in the Stroud district, he has been learning his trade with the FGR youth setup since grassroots level. His family are season ticket holders and, in addition to developing his skills in the Academy, Finley worked at the New Lawn. He might even have served you some chips and vegan gravy in the East Stand!
But it’s his ability on the pitch the club is most interested in and during July 2022 Finley earned his first contract. In signing it, he joined head coach Ian Burchnall’s first team squad with the aim of securing match experience.
Finley has already had a taste of the action – in October 2020 he came on as a substitute in FGR’s 3-0 EFL Trophy victory against West Bromwich Albion U21.
Interesting fact: Finley’s younger brother Fraser is also an FGR youth player.
