Moving on is never easy but when York City came knocking former Barnet forward Jake Hyde knew he had to answer.
However, boss Martin Allen’s plans for the club almost persuaded Hyde to extend his stay at the Hive Stadium.
Hyde, 23, revealed that Allen has brought stability back to the Bees after Edgar Davids spell in charge.
He said: “I really enjoyed my time at Barnet it was brilliant. The club has fantastic facilities and fans.
“The reason I left Barnet and signed for York is because they are in the Football League and Barnet aren’t.
“It was a case for me that a football career is very short. You only get about 10 years. We all want to play at the highest possible level. Every footballer wants to play in that league or that league and against the best teams.
“I did speak to Martin for a long time. I was very close to staying with the club because of his ideas and the way he wants to play football.
“The biggest difference last season was Martin brought stability back to the football club. He came in and things were different. On the football pitch set-pieces were different.
“Training was organised. Martin was on time every morning to take training. He brought stability and organisation back to Barnet.
“Fingers crossed I will get to work with him again in the future.
“Martin will set Barnet in a good stead for this season. I wish him and everyone at the club all the best.”
The striker hopes former Norwich City and Northern Ireland manager Nigel Worthington will take him onto the next level.
Before Hyde left the club Allen praised the strikers goalscoring record that saw the youngster net 26 times in 67 league appearances for Barnet.
But Hyde insists he’s hungrier to do even better for York, who lost 1-0 against Fleetwood Town in last season’s League Two play-off semi-final.
York’s ambition Hyde admits has left him chomping at the bit to play his part at Bootham Crescent.
He said: “I’m still trying to become a better player. Martin has said some lovely things about me, which is very pleasing because he is an experienced manager. He has been around a lot of clubs. But I am still only a young man and Nigel will help me to improve as a player.
“He has played at the highest level and Nigel has managed at the top with Norwich and internationally with Northern Ireland. Working under Nigel was another reason behind my decision to join York. Fingers crossed he can help me improve as a footballer and take York to the next level.
“I have joined a very strong League Two outfit. I watched York a couple of times last season. They are a difficult team to beat. I think with a couple of new additions York will be right up there again.
“It will be nice to be a part of a promotion push and I hope we can go up to League One as an extra little bonus.”
Whatever happens at York this year Hyde revealed he will be supporting Barnet from a far.
Under Allen Hyde believes Barnet will have the experience they need to launch a credible Skrill Premier promotion challenge.
A lack of Non-League experience cost Barnet dearly last season Hyde insisted as the Bees finished in eighth place.
Barnet have signed former Alfreton midfielder Dan Bradley, Gillingham defender Sam Muggleton and center-forward John Akinde to aid their bid for the title.
He said: “Of course I will still look out for Barnet’s results. I have a lot of lovely friends at the club. I got on really well with everyone there.
“As a player you do go on and support the clubs you have played for and you always hope things are going well.
“It’s going to be a big change for Barnet this year. But Martin has made a lot of good signings. I think he has strengthened the ship. The players he has signed have all been a part of teams, who have done well.
“Last season we had a young side and not a lot of know how. You have to play nasty in the conference. We played some fantastic football last year and battered teams. But we came away with a 1-1 draw. I don’t think we had enough experience or know how to see out games.”
