Defender is Mark Yates' second new signing
Reds are delighted to confirm the signing of central defender Joe McNerney on a two-year contract.
Joe has joined the club from Conference National side Woking, for whom he made more than 250 appearances. Last season Joe got his first call-up to the England C team for games against Turkey and Estonia.
Manager Mark Yates is delighted to bring the 25-year-old to the club.
He said: “I rate Joe as one of the best defenders in non-league football.
“He also has a real hunger to test himself at as high a level as he can. He could have stayed at Woking but when I spoke to him his desire to play in the
Football League came across very strongly.
“He is a winner. He will put his body on the line for the club and he is going to be handy for us in the opposition’s box because of his set-piece threat.”
Joe is thrilled to get his first opportunity in the Football League.
He said: “In terms of a League career I have got some catching up to do but I can’t wait to get started.
“I know Jimmy (Dack) well. He was assistant manager at Woking when I broke into the team and we have kept in touch. The manager is very experienced at this level and I liked the way his teams played when he was at Cheltenham. He’s straight talking and honest and I like that.
“I’m looking forward to making the step up from the Conference. Woking had a good season last year and we weren’t a million miles behind the two teams (Barnet and Bristol Rovers) who went up, they had the advantage of full-time training.
“It’s going to be good to test myself against good League 2 strikers. I have come across quite a few of them before in friendlies before so I will know
what to expect but with full-time training I think I am at a good age to really kick on and be a big part of what Mark and Jimmy are trying to achieve.”
