BARNET FC Chairman Tony Kleanhous says he has been "emboldened" by the reaction of supporters to his announcement to quit Underhill.

"We've had such an outpouring of support saying 'let's move forward', it's really emboldened me," he said.

Yesterday, a statement on the club's website announced that after 104 years the Bees would no longer be calling Underhill home.

Citing "circumstances beyond their control", the club explained that discussions with the Football League have aided in the decision, indicating it would prefer Barnet start next season with a contingency plan in place to complete the remainder of the 2012/13 season elsewhere.

Today, Mr Kleanhous thanked the public for their support.

He commented that petitions rallying to keep the side at Underhill would not help the club to grow, as a new home would.

"The sentiment is beautiful, but the fact is, realistically, I always said I didn't see us having a long-term future at Underhill. I had thought we would have a short-term one though.

"I've been trying for 17 years to try to get the council to see some sense. Now we've got to start looking forward."

He said if the petition were rallying for the development of the ground into a modern stadium, that would be different.

"Have they thought about what staying at Underhill really means - we're in a timewarp there.

"The decision wasn't taken with any glee, but I don't have any regrets."

Mr Kleanthous said a new home for the club had not yet been secured and the search would continue in the New Year.

"It's a great time over Christmas to take a deep breath and then hit the New Year and get this resolved.

"We have been wasting so much money, thousands, on planning, on legal battles, on trying to resolve issues. Wouldn't it be great to invest it all in winning football matches."