Barnet’s Charlie MacDonald admits he is disappointed he did not get to play for Martin Allen earlier in his career but is thriving after signing for him at the third time of asking.

The 33-year-old joined the Bees on a free transfer in the summer following a short trial after leaving League One side Oldham Athletic and was immediately installed as captain.

Writing on his blog, MacDonald, who is studying professional sports writing and broadcasting at university, revealed Allen had tried to sign him three times previously in his career without succeeding.

“It (Allen’s determination to sign him) was a massive factor in signing,” admits MacDonald. “There are times when the gaffer tried to sign me in the past and I had other options and it never really materialised.

“But playing under the manager now, I respect how he manages and how he involves me in a lot of things being a senior player, and looks after the boys.

“You hear things from other teams where he has managed but for me he has been a different class and he has had a massive impact on me. I am disappointed that throughout my career I never linked up with him earlier but I am pleased that I have now had the chance to do so,” the Southwark-born striker acknowledged.

With 14 games left to play between now and the end of the season, the former Brentford and MK Dons hitman says he is relishing the final promotion push, with the Bees seven points clear at the summit after Bristol Rovers drew 2-2 at Dartford on Saturday.

He enthused: “There are just over two months until the end of the season, everybody is excited and that is how it should be.

“I wake up in the morning and I can’t wait to come to training. Playing under the gaffer there is always that unpredictability when you don’t know what you are going to get. That is what I enjoy; I enjoy that buzz.

“The last thing you want to know when you wake up in the morning knowing exactly what sort of session you are going to do. Here you need to expect the unexpected and that’s the beauty of it; everybody is reading off the same hymn sheet and going in the right direction.”

He added: “There is not a day gone past I am not laughing in training and that is a good thing. If you have players laughing and smiling in training you know the players are enjoying their work.

“It is when people are moping around that you know you have got problems. The spirit we have got in this squad comes from the gaffer. Everyone is buzzing to be together.”

And with Barnet sitting pretty atop the Conference, MacDonald says the Bees have aligned with his expectations so far this term.

The striker explained: “We have been top of this league for months now. When I signed for the club I felt there was a massively realistic opportunity of getting promoted and I wouldn’t have signed if I didn’t think that.

“And to be where we are after 32 games, the league doesn’t lie.

“We have won more games than anybody else, scored more goals than anyone else, it is about time we look forward and forget what is behind us. We know if we go about our business and get our job done then it doesn’t matter what everyone else does.”