Stevenage Boro boss Mark Stimson has begun the search to replace his star player but admitted he is a hard act to follow. George Boyd has signed for League Two Peterborough United for a Conference record fee of £260,000. The 21-year-old, previously a left

Stevenage Boro boss Mark Stimson has begun the search to replace his star player but admitted he is a hard act to follow.

George Boyd has signed for League Two Peterborough United for a Conference record fee of £260,000.

The 21-year-old, previously a left winger and now a striker, has moved to London Road in a four-year deal with Boro agreeing a "significant" sell-on clause.

Boyd joins Posh on Monday and will play his last match for Boro this weekend.

Stimson admitted: "I'm very disappointed George is going and he has been a massive part of what we've done so far this season and what we were trying to do.

"Although the club did everything in its power to make him stay, we couldn't stand in his way and the deal was right for him.

"The club wanted to keep him, I wanted to keep him, but George wanted the chance to play League football."

Stimson now has to find a way of replacing the irreplaceable.

He continued: "We can't replace George Boyd; we would need £500,000 to do that.

"We will put someone in the team who will give their best and that's all you can ask.

"Whoever comes in shouldn't be compared to George Boyd.

"Apart from Freddy Eastwood, George is the next best attacking player I've seen in my time in non-league football."

Boro chairman Phil Wallace also confirmed that no other key men will be following Boyd.

Wallace said: "We've had no offers for anyone else and it wouldn't matter if we did this season.

"The best way for our lads to be playing in the League is to win promotion with us.

"We'll now be looking to strengthen the squad this month by signing more young, talented players that Mark and Scott believe can bring us success."

Boro have already recruited another 21-year-old striker in former Spurs youngster Jamie Slabber.

Slabber worked with Stimson at Grays for whom he scored 14 times in 22 games.

Stimson said: "Jamie's a talented player with quick feet who works hard and he could become a big player for us.

"He knows what I want from my players and I'm looking forward to working with him again.

"He has an opportunity to show me again what he can do until the end of the season."

And Stimson added: "We won't pay over the odds for a player and won't panic into buying anyone. I don't like paying fees for players but we will do if it is necessary."

Stimson's task is now to find someone to partner the prolific Steve Morison up front.

"The door has never been shut on Tony Thorpe and the same applies to Darryn Stamp.

"Does Tony still want to do it and have the hunger and desire?"

Boro's next task is a trip to Stafford Rangers this Saturday.

They will be looking to build on an unbeaten December plus a maximum points haul over the festive period.

Stimson added: "The win at Weymouth was one of our best performances of the season so far.

"The weather made it hard for us but I told the players to get the ball on the floor and try to play football.

"Our goal was really pleasing; it had a proper feeling of quality about it and we were delighted to come away with the points.

"Against Aldershot, George was absolutely fantastic and it was a great way to go out at home."

* Former Boro striker Anthony Elding has switched clubs again. Elding has left Boston United for Stockport County for a five-figure fee.

Boro will not receive any money for the latest transfer of the 24-year-old who left them for Kettering last season.