BOSS Paul Weeks says the signing of Danny Haines shows how far Cinderford Town have come in the past 18 months.

Haines, 31, has signed from Mangotsfield United to fill the void at left-back created by Matt Smith's long-term knee injury.

Cinderford have also appointed midfielder Brad Andrews as player/coach.

Andrews will work alongside Weeks and his assistant Steve Peters.

Weeks said: "It's a sign of how far we've come as a club that people like Danny want to join us.

"He is someone who has played Southern League football all his life, but the word is getting out that we're a club who do the right things."

Cinderford's injury problems have been well documented, with Craig Tait, Matt Smith, Kyle Bassett and Sean Seavill out for the season, and Matt Barnes struggling to return this term.

However, Weeks believes his players have not been given enough credit for carrying the club into the Second Qualifying Round of the FA Trophy against Grays Athletic this Sunday.

He said: "I heard a comment that we were struggling in the league – but we've hardly played in the league because of all the cup games. I can barely remember us losing, apart from the Maidenhead game.

"We've got five games in hand on some teams.

"The players have been terrific. We beat Hungerford Town in the last round of the FA Trophy with seven people playing out of position.

"As a club we've not got a massive budget, but myself and Steve Peters are on the phone to the boys constantly to keep them motivated.

"People like Tom Billing, Dale Evans (both medial knee ligament injuries) and Brad Andrews (gout in the ankle) are literally playing through the pain barrier for the club.

"It annoys me when I hear people criticising them because they probably shouldn't even be out on the pitch."