ANTHONY Barry admitted it was a "massive" decision to leave Accrington Stanley and join League One side Yeovil on Tuesday.
The 19-year-old midfielder was the shock move on transfer deadline day as he left the Conference leaders to make the move down south.
Former Liverpool trainee Barry joined Stanley in April 2005 but came to prominence this season. He has played all the Conference games and has had an influence in linking up with Ian Craney in the centre of the park to help the Reds open up an 11 point gap at the top of the table.
He had just signed a contract with the Reds until the end of the season but has now moved to the mid-table League One side for an undisclosed fee and signed a two year deal
"It was a massive decision for me to leave Accrington," said the former Coventry player. "I would have only ever left for a league club but I am young and I have big ambitions and want to go as high as I can.
"I am disappointed I won't see the season through with Accrington.
"I would have loved to be there at the end of the season and lift the league trophy as I am sure the lads will, but my chance came now and I had to take it. They will be the first result I look for and I am sure I will keep in touch with most of the lads.
"It was a wrench to leave and it is a big life change at 19 to leave home and go but it is the sacrifices you have to make as a footballer."
Yeovil are short of midfielders and Barry could make his debut on Saturday against top of the table Southend.
"I haven't gone there to sit on the bench. If I thought I was going to play in the reserves then I wouldn't have gone.
"It is a real chance for me to play league football. I have confidence in my own ability and hope I can do well.
"It is weird suddenly thinking about League One fixtures instead of Conference ones and I will just have to take everything in my stride."
He admitted he can not thank everyone at Accrington enough for the help they have given him.
"I have great memories at Accrington. I want to thank everyone as, if they hadn't given me the chance, I wouldn't be where I am now. I owe the club a lot and I want to thank the fans for their support throughout my time there.
"It was a great period in my life and I have a lot of special memories. I guess my favourite is the win against Grays as no one expected us to win that one.
"I enjoyed the Exeter game as well as I think that was a massive step towards Accrington winning the league. It was a nice one to bow out on."
