They announced a double deal yesterday with the arrivals of
ex-Lincoln City goalkeeper Alan Marriott and former Arsenal
youth-team striker Dean McDonald.
That leaves Hill looking to bring in two defenders for a full line-up ready to launch the
ir promotion challenge in the Blue Square
Premier.
Diamonds had been linked with a series of potential transfer targets – particularly in their search for a new number one – and Hill is delighted to snap up Bedford-born Marriott despite rival offers from Football League clubs.
Hill said: "When you realise he's 29 years old and he has played more than 400 games, that shows a great profile as a keeper.
"For five successive seasons Lincoln came close to gaining
promotion through the play-offs and he was a big part of all that.
"He's been there a long while so from our point of view getting a goalkeeper with vast experience is a big plus for us.
"We've been waiting for the right man. There were one or two rumours going around and some clubs got carried away.
"But I'm very pleased to have Alan here on a free transfer and a two-year contract."
McDonald, meanwhile, is looking to settle down after spells with Ipswich Town, Hartlepool United (loan), Gillingham and Inverness Caledonian Thistle where he only made seven substitute appearances last season.
Hill added: "He's young lad who will bring pace and excitement.
"He's moving down south again for a fresh challenge. He's a
character who wants to enjoy his football.
"Hopefully we can get him to play with potential. He gives us a lot of options going forward.
"He's different to what we have already got up there. He can get behind defenders or show a few tricks if he goes out wide."
Diamonds will kick off their pre-season programme with a
trip to Essex club Halstead Town tomorrow night before next week's break in Portugal.
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