ROWLAND’S ROAD AT AN END

WINGATE & Finchley have parted company with manager Keith Rowland, who believes he has taken the club as far as he can.

The Northern Irishman had been in charge for almost three years, and in that time presided over two record-high league finishes for the Blues.

In the 2016-17 season, he achieved a play-off place, finishing fifth in the Isthmian Premier Division with 75 points but after taking eight points from their first nine games this term, Rowland has moved on.

Chairman Aron Sharpe explained: “Keith felt that he had taken the team as far as he could; I have been absolutely delighted with the success we have had and the progress we have made with Keith as manager, and he leaves us on the best of terms. We both felt the time was right for a change, in particular as he continues his recovery from recent surgery.

“We wish him all the best and he will always be welcome back.”

JAKE Robinson hopes to continue repaying Billericay with goals after signing a new two-year deal with the club. The 31-year-old has bagged 12 already in this campaign having scored 52 last season, enough to earn him the Golden Boot across Steps 1 to 4 at The NLP’s National Game Awards in May. Billericay paid a club record fee of £24,000 to Hemel Hempstead for Robinson which has duly been repaid as six hat-tricks helped Ricay to the Bostik Premier title, as well as cup runs in the FA Cup and FA Trophy. He also broke Leon Gutzmore’s club record of 51 goals in a season and now Robinson hopes to continue finding the net. “The last 18 months have been the most enjoyable of my career, and I’m looking forward to helping the club to more success,” he said. “I’d like to say thank you to Glenn, Dean and the rest of the team for their belief shown in me and to the fans for their support from day one. I hope to repay them with goals.”