Dennis Kutrieb has added a defender to his squad as preparations continue apace for the August 14th Vanarama National League South kick-off.

Fleet’s latest acquisition is experienced centre-back Alex Finney, 25, who signs after spending the last two seasons at Aldershot Town. Fleet fans will also remember him from his Maidstone United days in the National League.

The towering 6ft 4in defender came through Leyton Orient’s youth ranks before signing for Bolton Wanderers, making his senior debut in the Championship in 2016.

Later that year, he signed for Queens Park Rangers, from where he joined Maidstone United on loan in August 2017. Indeed one of Finney’s first games in non-league football came here at the Kuflink Stadium where he played alongside Jack Paxman for the Stones in Fleet’s 2-0 win that season.

Such was Finney’s impact at Maidstone that his loan was extended to the end of the 2017/18 season and he was named the club’s player of the year. He was then signed on a permanent two-year deal by the Stones in June 2018.

He moved on to Aldershot Town on an 18-month deal at the end of 2018, playing regularly for them in the National League prior to extending his deal at the EBB Stadium last summer. He played alongside fellow new signing Craig Tanner in 2020/21 for the Shots.

Fleet boss Kutrieb said earlier this month that his squad business was “all but done” but that he would not rule out moves for players he considered would add quality and value to his side if the opportunity arose.

We welcome Alex to the Fleet – and if you would like to sponsor his shirt for our 75th anniversary season, please call us on 01474 533796 or email [email protected] and we can get that arranged for you immediately.