Mark Bartley says top scorer Lee Barney leaves with his best wishes after the striker opted to depart Marlow and join Ryman Premier outfit Wingate and Finchley.

Having scored 25 goals for Marlow in Southern One Central last season, the forward was hot property and had several clubs clambering for his signature.

Initially, Barney opted to remain loyal to Marlow in the face of strong interest from the north London side before they eventually convinced the striker to make the move on Friday.

“He turned down a couple of offers from them earlier in the off-season and then they came back with an offer which he couldn’t refuse,” said Bartley.

“It’s all very above board and he kept me involved during the whole thing. After the first two offers he’d turned down a 50 per cent increase in what we could give him, and then they’ve obviously offered him something bigger and it’s just been enough to sway him.

“There was that (the money) but the reason why he turned down their earlier offer was because it would be more travelling and he had to weigh things up.

“The uncertainty of where we would be playing ourselves next season hasn’t exactly helped, and it was ironic that on the day it was announced that we were potentially moving to the South West division that they’ve got back in contact with him, offered him more money and it’s been enough to sway him.”

Bartley bought Barney, who previously played for local rivals Beaconsfield SYCOB, to the club last summer after he spent time playing in Australia, and he went on to play a major part in Marlow’s 11th place finish in the league.

His goals – the last of which was a penalty on the final day to beat St Ives 2-1 – accounted for just under half of the club’s league total, and his exploits drew admiring glances from higher up the football pyramid, according to Bartley.

He said: “He had a couple of other offers and a few other people that were interested but were trying to get him in to have a closer look at him.

“I think that he wasn’t keen on doing that and he’s scored enough goals to not have to go on trial anywhere for someone to look at him closer. He’s scored enough goals that you should know about him and if you don’t know about him then it’s more of a slight on you.

“He’s done pretty well and I’m pleased that he’s got the opportunity to play a little bit higher. It shows that if you come in, do what you’re asked to do and work hard then you will get an opportunity.”

The Marlow boss says Barney’s eagerness to learn and tremendous work ethic marked him out as a player who could play at a high level and believes the striker will have no problem finding the net in his new surroundings.

Despite losing his top goal scorer, Bartley won’t be on the hunt for a replacement, instead putting his faith in players who are already at the club alongside two players who he had already lined up to come in.

“I’ve got Romone Rose, who joined the club at the back end of last season, John Bennett’s returning, and he scored a lot of goals the season before last, and I’ve also got one or two more forwards,” he said.

“I’ve got one where the ink has just dried on his contract and another one that I’m potentially going to sign, so they’ll be announced soon.

“I kind of felt that something could happen with Lee and, as manager, it’s my job to have replacements lined up.”