New Barnet signing Ben Tomlinson empathises with the struggles of former Bee Dan Bradley after becoming just the second northerner to join the club in the last two years.

The bulk of Martin Allen’s squad are southern-based players and even those who were not born in England – such as Bira Dembele – have spent much of their playing career in the south.

However, when Sheffield-based Tomlinson agreed a switch from Lincoln City on a two-year deal in May, he followed in the footsteps of another former Alfreton Town wideman.

That was Bradley, who caused a stir 12 months ago by leaving before he kicked a ball after admitting he had expected to remain based in the north.

Relocation is a serious consideration for players plying their trade towards the lower rungs of the professional game and after joining Allen’s side from the Conference Imps, it is one Tomlinson has quickly become aware of.

He explained: “We are at the bottom here so obviously the money does make a difference because we are not on Wayne Rooney’s salary. People seem to think everybody in professional football is a millionaire, but we are not.

“So you have got to make sure it is financially viable to move. I could probably get a nice house up there (Sheffield) for what I would get a one bedroom flat in London for. So, yes, it is different. And it has been difficult trying to find somewhere to live; trying to find somewhere that is close to the ground and not too expensive.

“It is a factor, and obviously it would have been difficult with fees, so I can sympathise with him (Bradley).”

Born in Dinnington, south Yorkshire, Tomlinson started his professional career with Worksop Town before switching to League Two outfit Macclesfield Town in 2011.

His time at Moss Rose was affected by a broken foot but he still chalked up 25 appearances, six goals and a stunning strike against Morecambe after just 6.4 seconds.

Having played in the recently re-branded National League and League Two in recent times, he is well-placed to judge the difference in quality between the two.

“The Conference is really hard to get out of and so many teams that do drop down find it is not plain sailing coming straight back up because there are some really good teams,” Tomlinson said.

“There is probably not as much between the two leagues as people think. The standard in the Conference is really high and, like I say, it is a really fine line between them.”

But after three years out of the 72 – in which he netted 44 league goals in 107 combined appearances for the Imps and the Reds – Tomlinson believes he has benefitted from his non-league apprenticeship.

“I have learned a lot,” he acknowledged. “Each season that passes, you learn things and you work with different people and that is a big thing as well.

“It is all football but the more people you work with, the more people you can learn from and take different things away from. So I have definitely matured and learnt things in the last three or four years.”

And clearly one thing Tomlinson has perfected in the last three years is his eye for goal, netting a whopping 32 times from a left-wing role during his two-year stint with Lincoln.

“I have scored wherever I have been,” the player said. “I get frustrated with myself if I don’t score. I have played striker or left wing, positions where performances alone are not enough.

“I have got a bit of an eye for goal. I am a poacher in the box and if you put me in there, I will get goals.”