ACCRINGTON Stanley boss John Coleman has signed defender Jonathan Smith from neighbours Great Harwood Town.

The 23-year-old centre back has joined the Reds on a non-contract basis after a string of impressive displays at the Showground last season.

And in a double swoop, Coleman has also snapped up exciting 20-year-old forward Robbie Williams from St Dominics in Liverpool.

The Reds boss has now signed eight players since taking over six weeks ago in a bid to get Stanley back in the UniBond Premier Division at the first attempt.

Mark Shirley and Jay Flannery have already signed contracts with the Reds while Steve Hollis, Mark Brennan and Steve Carragher have joined on a non-contract basis.

Coleman unveiled some of his new recruits at the Crown Ground last night as the club started pre-season training.

And the club have announced details of another friendly with Nationwide Third Division outfit Rochdale on July 31 at the Crown Ground (kick-off 3pm).

New Dale manager Steve Parkin, who ran the rule over Stanley's facilities recently with a view to playing reserve fixtures there next season, has promised to bring his full first team squad.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.