STEVENAGE boss Gary Smith has revealed he signed Leyton Orient’s Ben Chorley for more than just his defensive abilities.

The 30-year-old centre-back joined Boro on transfer deadline day, making his debut in the 1-0 defeat to his former team Orient on Saturday, before helping Boro to their first home win in three months as they beat Notts County 2-0 on Tuesday.

“I’ve known Ben for quite a while, back in the Wimbledon days when I started coaching Ben was a player there,” said Smith.

“It’s not just about Ben’s quality on the field and what he’s capable of as a player, it’s the personality and the character that was key in this signing as well.”

Chorley signed a two-and-a-half year deal with Stevenage and has taken his place in the heart of the defence alongside captain Mark Roberts.

Smith added: “He’s [Chorley’s] a senior player with a good background and a real honest and true character and that’s something that this group has thrived on in the past and we’ll continue to move in that direction as we develop.

“It’ll help a lot of people around him, they can lean on him, [he’s a] good voice, good direction and organisational skills and that’s something we certainly needed.”