Stratford Town sign defensive duo Brad Maslen-Jones and Jack Coates

STRATFORD Town have signed highly-rated defensive duo Brad Maslen-Jones and Jack Coates.

Maslen-Jones is a former Stratford Town youth team player, who eventually went on to sign a professional contract at Peterborough United in 2014.

The 20-year-old centre-back, who can also play in midfield, was highly regarded at Posh, but he left the club in 2015 and signed for Hull City following a successful trial.

The Tigers released him in May last year and since then he has enjoyed stints at a number of clubs including Spalding United, Coalville Town and Market Drayton Town.

Centre-back Coates, who turned 19 last month, is a former Aston Villa youth teamer who has also been on the books at Redditch United and Halesowen Town.

Reaction to the signings in this week's Herald.