Boro s level of ambition convinced Stacy Long to choose The Lamex Stadium ahead of a host of other Blue Square Premier clubs. The likes of Wimbledon and Crawley were in the hunt for the former Ebbsfleet man but, after talking with manager Graham Westley,

Boro's level of ambition convinced Stacy Long to choose The Lamex Stadium ahead of a host of other Blue Square Premier clubs.

The likes of Wimbledon and Crawley were in the hunt for the former Ebbsfleet man but, after talking with manager Graham Westley, there was only one destination Long was heading for this summer.

"There were other teams involved but once Stevenage came in they were the only club I really wanted to go to," Long told The Comet after signing a one-year deal with the club holding an option to extend this for another 12 months.

"They seem to be a really professionally run club that has got a real ambition to get into the Football League.

"To get the chance to join a team with that sort of aspiration really excites me and I can't wait to get started."

Long revealed that Westley was a major factor in his decision after being released by Ebbsfleet due to the financial difficulties currently being experienced by the Kent club.

"It's good to have someone who wants you to join them so much," he added. "Everyone knows that he is a great motivator and he was a real factor in my decision.

"He seems to have all the players' best interests at heart and you can't ask for more than that. He wants success as much as the players do.