Herb was born at St. Lawrence In 1932. After playing a lot of meadow soccer, where he learned most of his individual skills, Herb progressed to the Burin School System Soccer League. After completing High School In St. Lawrence, he went to St. Bon's where he competed in the St. John's Intercollegiate Soccer League.

Herb started playing for the St. Lawrence Laurentians at the age of flfteen(15) in the Burin Peninsula League. From 1940-1962, the St. Lawrence Laurentians won nine (9) Burin Peninsula Championships, with Herb winning a number of scoring titles. During his fourteen (14) years of playing , the St. Lawrence Laurentlans won three (3) All-Nfld Championships (1951, 1952, & 1955). In the 1955 Provincial playdowns, Herb won the "Most Valuable Player" award.

Soccer people on the Burin Peninsula often compare players from one town to another. In the 1950's Herb Slaney was to St. Lawrence as Tommy Rose was to Grand Bank. Herb was an Inspirational player to all young boys who aspired to become a member of the St. Lawrence Laurentians.

The older residents of St. Lawrence often refer to Herb Slaney as tbe "Player of the 50's Decade". He is presently retired but still maintains an active interest in the game through attendance and expert analysis to the younger people who are always eager to learn from a former Laurentian hero.

During his athletic playing days, Herb also participated in the sports of hockey and basketball excelling at those as he did at soccer

Herb Slaney was inducted into the St. Lawrence Soccer Hall of Fame in 1980, the Burin Peninsula Hall of Fame in 1993 and the Newfoundland Soccer Hall of Fame in 1998.