LIAM HATCH’S dream move from Gravesend to Barnet dissolved into heartbreak within 48 hours when he broke a leg on his debut for his new club in Saturday's goalless draw against Arsenal.

Hatch, who also damaged ligaments, now faces the prospect of being out for the duration of the new season.

The 21-year-old striker's ambition to play full-time football had been realised with his £23,000 transfer to Underhill.

He decided to move after becoming unsettled on hearing Barnet's interest from an agent. After that the club were left with no option, said club chairman Brian Kilcullen.

Hatch had not been without his problems and last year went missing before turning up in Scotland.

Mr Kilcullen insisted: “We certainly weren't looking to sell Liam but he became unsettled when an agent intervened and told him that Barnet were interested so we allowed him to speak to them.

“We received a fair offer and it's a good deal between two Conference clubs at a time when the transfer market is dead.

“I feel desperately sorry for him and everyone at the club wishes him a speedy recovery.”

He added: “We intend using the money to invest in wages so we can sign the experienced striker our manager Andy Ford has been looking for. But it's got to be the right person.”

Ford said: “I wanted to start the season with Liam up front but it reached a stage whereby it was in his interest and the club's that he moved on.

“I subbed him in the friendly a week ago at Swindon, which he didn't like, and he didn't show up for training on the Monday. It was then that we decided to cash in.

“It's good business because we paid £250 for him. I was desperately sorry to hear about his injury and spoke to him on Monday." He added: “I gather that Arsenal have made an appointment for him to see their specialist.

As for Liam's replacement, all I will say is that I've put a deal to an experienced striker and is thinking it over.”

With former top scorer Che Stadhart having departed to Margate, the Fleet are desperately short of firepower.

Having failed in attempts to lure Keith Scott and Warren Patmore to Stonebridge Road, Ford will be especially anxious to sign the right man well in advance of the start of the new Conference season which kicks off on August 9.

This week it emerged that Barnet had maintained a long-term interest in Hatch and had made two earlier bids which had been turned down.

Ford had insisted that a move would not be possible until a replacement had been signed.

At one stage Barnet manager Martin Allen withdrew an offer before his chairman, Tony Kleanthous and Mr Kilcullen thrashed out a deal.

Under the terms of the transfer, Gravesend receive £17,000 down with the rest based on appearances. Hatch's former club, Herne Bay, receive a cut as part of a sell-on clause.