Just weeks after announcing striker Christy Finch had departed Victory Road the Blues can now announce a reverse in the decision and a new deal for Blues joint top scorer last season. Lowestoft based Finch’s contract expired at the end of the season and despite ending the season with two goals and a Man of the Match display as the Blues lifted the Suffolk Premier Cup at Portman Road, it seemed Finch was destined for a new club next season after the club decided not to offer a new deal. But further discussions in past few weeks have seen a turn around in the decision with Christy Finch signing a new one year deal.

Finch returned to Victory Road in the summer after previously departing for Norwich United mid 2016/17 season. Last season he ended with 17 goals alongside Jack Ainsley, the second time in three years he has been leading scorer. But Blues boss Glenn Driver didn’t feel the parting in early May was right. “Something just didn’t sit right with me letting him go” said Driver. “I hold my hands up and admit I made a mistake and I’m sure come next season he (Christy) will prove me right with another good return of goals. We parted on good terms and he wished us luck for the future. Sometimes in football decisions are made and later you regret them, I would like to think I have always made the right decisions on players but on this occasion I got it wrong. Christy had some very good offers elsewhere but he was taking his time before committing. I called him and apologised and told him I wanted him to be a part of my plans this season. Fair play to Christy who accepted my apology and we are looking forward to working together again next season. He is very well thought of at Leiston and I’m the first to wish him every success next season.”

The Blues will start next season in a new Division at step three, a sideways shift to the newly created Southern League Premier Division (Central) and will have a strong offensive line when they kick off in August, a front line that will include a prolific Christy Finch who has always scored goals wherever he plays. “I was disappointed to leave in the first place” said Finch “But I always held a little bit of hope that Leiston would come back in for me and I'm delighted that they have. I had a few in depth phone calls with Glenn (Driver) and Chairman Andy Crisp and from that I knew that I wanted to come back or rather remain! Another major factor in my decision was being able to play alongside one of my closest friends, Jake Reed. I really appreciate the interest shown in me by other clubs but for me, it was the right decision to make and I cannot wait to get started and hit the ground running in a new League come August.”

Everyone at Leiston FC would like to wish Christy continued success at Victory Road.