HEREFORD United striker Steve Guinan has been snapped up by League 2 rivals Northampton Town.

The 33-year-old has signed a two-year deal at Sixfields, bringing to a close his Edgar Street career which brought him 70 goals in 179 appearances over two spells.

“Everyone knows that deep down I would like to have stayed but that’s football,” he said. “The offer was not there so you have to move on to the next.

“I certainly didn’t see a two-year contract coming and never in a million years thought that I would get that.

“At my age, I would have been a fool not to take it - there was no point in waiting. I would not have got a better offer than that so now I can go on holiday and relax.”

Guinan, who had offers from ‘seven or eight’ clubs, said that there were plenty of highlights to look back on, particularly the promotion season and United’s goal-laden Conference runners-up season in 2003-4 when they found the net 103 times.

“But a particular highlight was when Graham Turner made me captain last season,” said Guinan. “That was a great honour and I hope I was able to repay him with some good performances towards the end of the season.”

“I wish Steve all the best,” said United boss John Trewick. “Initially we did not reach agreeement but a bigger club has come in and he has decided to take their offer.

“He had a good year for us but he is going on 34 and six months can be a long time at that age.”

Trewick, meanwhile, has begun the rebuilding process at Edgar Street by signing Kidderminster centre-back Keith Lowe.

“He is a good character and has experience in the Championship with Wolves and Burnley.

“I feel he can do a good job for us.”

Trewick confirmed that he has held talks with full-back Ryan Green over a return to Edgar Street but another ex-Bull, Rob Purdie, who was also a target, has linked up with League 1 Oldham Athletic.

“I would like to have brought Rob back but there was no chance when a club like Oldham came in,” admitted Trewick.

The United boss said that he was in discussions with a number of players.

“Things are moving forward, but slowly,” he said.

Trewick is aiming to arrange another pre-season game on August 1 and is looking to slot in matches with Pegasus and Wellington early in the friendly campaign.