Stowmarket Town have completed a double transfer coup with the signings of midfielder Matt Paine and goalkeeper Callum Robinson, writes Alex Moss.

With the new season now less than two weeks away, the Old Gold and Blacks have bolstered their squad with the addition of two new signings.

Paine, 30, comes to Greens Meadow with a wealth of experience, having played for the likes of Thurrock, Boreham Wood, Braintree Town and, most recently, Billericay Town.

The former Colchester United trainee enjoyed a successful five-year spell at Braintree, where he made 183 appearances for the Iron, helping them finish third in the National League in 2015-16.

After leaving Braintree in the summer of 2016, Paine spent a season at Boreham Wood, before signing for Billericay last summer where he played a key role in helping the Essex club win the treble and promotion from the Bostik League Premier Division.

Robinson, 20, joins from Thurlow Nunn League Premier Division rivals Brantham Athletic, where he made 39 appearances in all competitions last season.

The young shot-stopper caught the eye in-between the sticks as he helped the Imps to a fifth-place finish as well as capturing the League Challenge Cup crown at the end of the campaign. Robinson joined Brantham in September last year, having previously been at AFC Sudbury.

Stow boss Rick Andrews said of the two new signings: “I met with Matt a few weeks ago and had a great chat with him. I then went to watch him in a friendly and I knew he would be a great signing for us.

“It’s not so much for what he can deliver with his footballing ability, but for the presence he will give us on the pitch. He is a great talker and he dictated a lot of the play through his communication, which impressed me a lot.

“I believe he is a great fit for where we are as a club at the moment and where we are striving to get to. I told him that if this was a year ago it would have been too soon, but the timing is now perfect.”