Braintree Town chairman Lee Harding feels the departure of Andy Yiadom to Barnet can help put the Iron in the shop window when it comes to attracting new players.

While Harding was sorry to see Yiadom depart to the League Two side, he said it will demonstrate to potential futurenew signings that Braintree is a club that can help them progress.

Yiadom is the latest player to have moved up from the Iron in recent years, with others including Alex Revell and George Purcell.

The 20-year-old, who joined Braintree from Hayes and Yeading last summer and had scored eight times for them this season, signed for Barnet on the final day of the January transfer window.

Harding said: “We don’t like to see players leave the Braintree family, but I think it shows players that we are a club that can help them progress into the Football League.

“That will help us attract players to the club in the future and we wish Andy well as he has done very well for us.”

Yiadom made his final appearance for Braintree as he came off the bench in the 1-0 win against Barrow AFC on Saturday.

However, manager Alan Devonshire said a departure for his midfielder wouldn’t provide a cash windfall for the Iron.

He said: “Andy going doesn’t free any room in the budget for me as there’s no fee involved.

“He was always non-contract here and his agent always wanted him to go into the Football League.

“He has got his wish and I’d like to think we have helped him along the way.

“He has been good for us while he’s been here and I’d like to wish him all the best.

“We are going to miss him as he has given us quality going forward.”

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