JON Underwood believes that Slough Town have pouched players of great character and experience when completing moves for Mark Nisbet and Paul Stonehouse last week.

Nisbet is a former Maidenhead United stalwart having spent 10 years at York Road, where he made more than 300 appearances.

The centre back captained The Magpies for a number of seasons and Slough beat off interest from other clubs for his signature.

“We are delighted to sign Mark and I’m pleased that he chose us,” Underwood told the Observer. He has a lot of experience and leadership qualities.

“We met on a couple of occasions and he understands our plans for the club moving forward. Mark was pleased with the signings that we have already made.

“It will be strange for Mark to play at a different club. It’s a real change for him because 10 years is a long time in football and it is a great service to Maidenhead.

“He never really wanted to leave but wants to play more and, after last season, felt his chances would be limited.

“Some find it strange but Mark already knows a few faces at the club and has the right character to fit in straight away.

“I have spoken with him and his is really up for the challenge.”

Stonehouse joins The Rebels from Oxford City having played more than 150 matches in the National leagues.

The left back had two separate loan spells at Slough last season and impressed Underwood and fellow manager Neil Baker.

“Paul came in during October, which coincided with a really good run we had,” said Underwood. “He made a big difference and showed us he was a top-quality player.

Slough Observer:

PHOTO: Paul Stonehouse (yellow) has made his move to Slough Town permanent following two loan spells last season.

“He carried a slight injury in his second loan spell so was not quite at the same level, but we are excited to see the same player we had in October.

“He gives us great energy from left back and is very good defensively, and another player with great character.”

Underwood continued: “We have finished 16th and 17th in the last two seasons, and there were a few areas that we wanted to improve on.

“We looked at various positions, including goal-scoring, and we knew we lacked a little know-how defensively, but I think the signings show how much we mean to push on.

“Clearly we’re looking to progress and, in Mark and Paul, we have two boys with lots experience at a higher level. That is exactly the type of player we had in mind.”

However, one player that will not be at Slough next season is Ryan Hope, the Managers’ Young Player of the Season last year.

Hope had been using an agent to approach other clubs and has been released, with Underwood insisting he only wants players that are fully committed to The Rebels.

“We rate Ryan as a player so it’s a disappointing situation,” Underwood explained. “He was not quite the finished article but he improved a lot last season.

“We have told him our feelings about agents but he continued on with that activity.

“We need to know where we are and there are a lot of players very keen to be at Slough Town at the minute.

“We want players that are fully committed to Slough and wish Ryan all the best, but we need to move on from this.”

Underwood added: “With the level we play at, we don’t believe in agents. You earn a deal by playing well and not by sending an e-mail to other clubs.

“Our belief is that players do their talking on the pitch and, if you do well and are too good for the level you are at, you will get spotted.”

“Good performances do not go un-noticed and if you are good enough you will get spotted.”