Former Barnet midfielder David Hunt insists he would have forgone regular football with the Bees in order to be part of a promotion push but never received a contract offer.

The 32-year-old has since signed for his local team, Maidenhead United of the Conference South, and made his debut in Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Havant & Waterlooville.

Hunt made 13 appearances for the Bees during a three-month loan stay which concluded on January 31 but had been in negotiations to settle his contract with parent club Oxford United before it finished.

Bees head coach Martin Allen stated his intention to sign the former Crawley Town midfielder but told the Times Series on February 17 negotiations had ended.

However, Hunt has revealed he never received an offer from the Bees despite training with the club after leaving League Two Oxford.

He said: “I had full intentions to stay at Barnet but I was a little bit confused because I read an article which said negotiations had stopped. I did not have any negotiations at all, so that was a little bit confusing because if there was something offered then I would have signed it, that would not have been a question.

“After things were sorted with Oxford, for the next week or so I never once had an offer. I went into training and waited for it but nothing came. I could not keep training there and hope something would eventually be offered to me because I have got to look after my future really. So I did not really have a choice.”

Hunt added: “I was looking forward to staying at Barnet and I was willing to swallow not being a regular starter to be involved in it all. I loved it, it was brilliant; the lads were top draw and the manager was brilliant to me during my time there. It has been great to be part of a successful team.”

The Dulwich-born utility man made just six starts for Barnet during his time at The Hive and admits it has been a frustrating season for him after falling out of favour at the Kassam Stadium prior to his loan switch.

He explained: “I left Oxford because I was not getting game time. I came to Barnet but appreciated they were top of the league and the lads were doing well.

“The manager let me know I would not be straight in the team, which was fine. I had not played many games before that this season. I always find anyone needs a good three or four games in a row to get back in the swing of fitness and I never really had that. It just sums up this year really: no consistency.

“It was just hard to get into the swing of things really. But I was enjoying it that much I was willing to sacrifice all that and be part. It is hard for me to prove I am fit when I am not actually playing.”

The Bees have been knocked off the top of the Conference table since Hunt spoke to the Times Series but he is adamant Barnet have the quality to seal a return to the Football League.

He said: “The way the lads train; they are very hard working, as if it is a game. They have got great team spirit so I think that all bodes well for a team which is going to be challenging until the end of the season.”