Heybridge Swifts striker Simon Parker could be set for a big-money move to Nationwide League Division Three side Barnet.

Parker, who netted 21 league goals for the Swifts in his first season at Ryman League premier division level last term, has been training with the Londoners pre-season.

And now the youngster is hopeful of wrapping up a deal that would see him fulfil his ambition of turning professional.

That would mean a vital cash windfall for the Swifts, who could demand a substantial fee for their top star.

Parker has played two pre-season games for Barnet, scoring once.

And it is not the first time he has attracted interest from a professional club - last season he went on trial at Reading, scoring twice in a match but not receiving any further interest from the Royals.

Swifts manager Liam Cutbush said he is keeping in close contact with Barnet boss John Still over the player.

He said: "Obviously from a manager's point of view I'd love to keep Simon, but personally I wish him well. He has learnt a lot in the two seasons he has been with us."

Parker burst on to the scene last season, becoming one of the hottest properties in the Ryman League and topping the goalscoring chart for much of the campaign before an injury saw others overtake him.

Should he leave Heybridge for Barnet it will be another triumph for one of the best youth set-ups in non-league football.

His departure would, however, leave the Swifts short of attacking cover with just three other strikers - Kris Lee, Terry Warwick and Christian McClean - on the club's books.

Cutbush may be forced to spend some of any cash received on a replacement.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.