NICKY Symons admits it was a tough decision to leave Braintree Town but has moved to Bishop’s Stortford because of family considerations.

The 25-year-old midfielder has linked up with his former manager Rod Stringer after Skrill South club Stortford put in a seven-day approach for him and Symons said the amount of travelling he has to do with Braintree was a big factor in his decision to leave.

He joined the Iron from Aveley at the start of their successful 2010/11 season when they were elevated to the top flight of the Football Conference as champions of the Conference South under Stringer and went on to make 76 apperances over two seasons in the premier division.

Symons scored two goals in that time, including a memorable strike from near the halfway line at Woking last year.

He thanked the club’s fans and staff for their support during his three years at the Amlin Stadium, but said juggling the demands of being part of a Conference Premier side, family commitments and working full-time had become hard going.

He said: “Without a doubt it was a very tough decision.

“I’ve gone into my fourth year with Braintree and get on very well with the players, staff and fans so it was tough.

“But there are a couple of factors I had to consider.

“There are some long away trips you have to do in the Conference, but my fiancée has just given birth to our first child and I didn’t want to miss out on spending important time with them.

“I also work full-time and the Conference is a very demanding league, but dropping down a league will give me more time to spend with my family,” he added.