Former Hatfield skipper speaks after his move to Garden Walk from Hatfield Town along with brothers Martin and Matt Standen.

CROWS new-boy John McGrandles says he left Hatfield Town in search of a ‘fresh start’ at Garden Walk after the defender admitted he was no longer happy at his former club.

The 24-year-old has joined Paul Attfield’s team along with brothers Martin and Matt Standen and McGrandles is looking forward to the new challenge after spending four years at Hatfield.

“Royston are a really well run club who have a lot of ambition,” said McGrandles.

“Paul seems a really good manager and he has said to me that he wants the team to have a bit more of a backbone. I’m strong at the back and I win the ball a lot and that’s what he wants. He doesn’t want the team to be a push over. They also have really good support up there as well.”

The former Hatfield skipper says that, despite manager Adam Parker taking over at the Blueboys and instigating an improvement in the level of professionalism at the club, he still feels the club lacks what it takes to get to the next level.

“I wasn’t really happy at Hatfield,” he added.

“They’ve brought new managers and it did get better and Adam was a breath of fresh air but at the same time nothing has really changed. They haven’t got their own ground and I don’t really see them moving up. Royston train twice a week and Hatfield have only really just started training.”

McGrandles admits it wasn’t an easy decision to leave the club where he has plenty of friends and fond memories, but insists his former teammates understand his reasons for leaving for pastures new.

He added: “They all understood. They were disappointed but they knew I wasn’t happy and it’s football at the end of the day. They realised that I just wanted a change.”

He is also looking forward to linking up with his new teammates and says that, while promotion is now probably a step too far this season, there is more than enough ability within the Garden Walk ranks to think seriously about getting out of the division next time around.

He said: “I’ve played against them a couple of times and they’ve got good players with good ability.

“They probably aren’t going up this season because it would take a massive slip from Chalfont but my aim this season is to get a regular first team spot and look towards next season and push on.”

The Royston Crow reported last week that Hatfield striker Jason Beck was among the four players moving to Garden Walk but has since learned the striker looks set to stay put after reportedly being offered a better deal at the Gosling Sports Stadium.