Wingate & Finchley have announced the appointment of Simon Lane as the club’s new director of football.

Lane recently left his role as first-team coach at Conference South side Maidenhead United and will take control of the Isthmian Premier Division’s first team and the youth development programme with immediate effect.

Having managed in the Maltese Premier League, Lane then came back to England to manage Windsor and Eton.

Lane, who has his UEFA coaching badges, then took up a role as scout at AFC Wimbledon before joining Maidenhead.

Chairman Aron Sharpe was delighted at the appointment, and said: "Simon is a coach that I made contact with many years ago and have watched closely.

“As a club with the emphasis on player development and with Simon's experience and in-depth knowledge of all the players around our level and above, this partnership is very exciting.

“I am keen for Simon to begin his work with Wingate and Finchley."

Lane said: “This has the potential to be a great period for the football club, in terms of longer term initiatives off the pitch supporting sustainability, and continuing to show improvements on the playing side.

“I personally can't wait to get started working with the players and the rest of the Wingate & Finchley family."