Born in Liverpool, Finley played for Marine, Warrington Town, Vauxhall Motors, Curzon Ashton and Netherfield before joining Doncaster Rovers.
[3] On leaving Aberystwyth, he had a brief spell as a player with Total Network Solutions, also appearing for Colwyn Bay on seconds forms,[5] before becoming player-manager at Witton Albion in November 2004.
[1] He and his assistant Lee Coathup left Witton by mutual consent in October 2005,[6] following the club stating that it would be reducing the playing budget.
[9] In January 2007, he took over as manager of Colwyn Bay, where a massive upsurge in form saw them qualify for the Unibond playoffs, only to lose to Cammell Laird in injury time.
For several years now, Gary Finley has been a full-time youth coach for Blackburn Rovers Football team academy where he is in charge of professional development for 18–23 age group.