Midfielders Paul Green and Connor Dimaio bring valuable promotion know-how to Boston United, says Craig Elliott

Paul Green and Connor Dimaio have the promotion experience Boston United boss Craig Elliott will help fire the Pilgrims to the National League.

There may be a 13-year age gap between the two midfielders, but both have arrived at United equally hungry for more success.

While the Pilgrims were smarting over their National League North play-off defeat to Altrincham, Green had just helped Crewe Alexandra secure promotion from League Two, the fourth of his career.

Midfielder Green also played an influential part as Doncaster Rovers won the Conference Premier, Football League Division Three and League One play-offs during a five-year period between 2003 and 2008.

Now Elliott says his old pal is looking for another promotion to add to his CV.

"I know Paul very well, he lives around the corner from me and I've known him most of my football life," Elliott said.

"He's had a fantastic career and done really well, none more so than last year as he played a big part with Crewe. We're very lucky to get him really."

Elliott is convinced the 37-year-old former Republic of Ireland international, who also featured for Leeds United and Derby County, still has plenty to offer.

"He's athletic, still very, very fit for his age," he added.

"I'm sure some people ask whey we've signed a playr of that age, but he's still very fit and he's still hungry to do well. Most importantly he's got the quality on the ball.

"It's important you have good senior pros in the team who set examples and set standards and he'll definitely do that along with a few others.

"He had some good offers in League Two and the National League, but I know him pretty well, added to that there's the new stadium and these types of things.

"Also he wants to be part of a promotion push and we ticked all the boxes for him."

Dimaio, 24, was part of the Stockport County squad which won the National League North title in 2018-19 and has alsos made first team appearances for Sheffield United and home-town club Chesterfield.

"We've watched Connor a lot and he's always done well against us," Elliott said.

"He's somebody we feel that, with a run of games and bit of loving, he'll excel.

"We spoke to a lot of players and previous managers who say he's an unbelievable talent and an unbelievable lad.

"He's a good age and it seemed to be right for us."

Dimaio has had further National League North experience with Ashton United and Curzon Ashton, and Elliott says it is now time for the midfielder to shine.

"I think the big thing with Connor is he's getting to the time where - even he acknowledges - he needs to be having a good two or three years and that's where I see him now," Elliott added.

"He's played for some big clubs and helped Stockport to win this league, so he knows what it's about."

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