FOREST GREEN captain Paul Stonehouse has turned down a new contract offer to sign for Blue Square Premier rivals Mansfield Town.

Dave Hockaday’s side will receive a compensation fee for the 22-year-old left-back_ Rovers’ longest-serving player, who racked up 177 appearances in his five-year tenure at the New Lawn.

Uncertainty regarding Rovers’ league status played a part in Stonehouse’s decision, combined with the offer of better personal terms.

"I will be moving out of my comfort zone, but I feel the time is right to move on," said the Swindon-based defender. "Mansfield are a big club with ambition to win the league and that certainly matches my ambition."

Stonehouse is hoping Rovers will have their relegation reprieve granted at the Conference Annual General Meeting on June 12.

He said: "I have my fingers crossed Forest Green gain a reprieve as I would love to go back and play them next season, although it will be strange going back as a Mansfield player. The fans at Forest Green were great to me and I would hope for a decent reception."

Forest Green boss Dave Hockaday said: "Paul has been a great servant to this club and he has chosen to enhance his potential at a bigger club.

"We whish him well and move on."

Stonehouse joined Rovers as a 16-year-old and progressed through the youth ranks. He went on to sign his first professional contract with the club in August 2005. He was the youngest player with the club to reach 100 Blue Square Premier starts for Rovers and scored seven goal, with his most memorable being his right-footed shot which put his team 3 – 2 up against Derby County in the FA Cup third round last year.