The phrase, ‘never fall in love with a loan player’ has been particularly tough for Potters Bar Town fans when it comes to David Hicks.
Just two month-long loan spells were afforded to the Scholars, with the second cut short by injury after an incredible win 4-3 win which was turned around in added time against Concord Rangers, yet Hicks certainly made his mark at Bar.
A local lad who grew up not far from the club, but perhaps more crucially, within Bar’s rivals Cheshunt’s academy whilst his Mum continues to work for the Ambers now, Hicks soon moved onto Stevenage at U10s level.
Having impressed at youth level and earned scholarship deals, Hicks headed to the Lantern Stadium in October to follow his Dad’s legacy of playing for the club just 10 years prior.
In his first move in senior football, he lit up the Isthmian Premier League and spurred a struggling Scholars side to shoot right up the table, with goals against Cray Wanderers and Wingate & Finchley, a winner in the Scholars’ other derby.
It was a great move for his own confidence too, admitting it helped him take charge in games and become more vocal, even putting himself on set pieces.
When the month ended and he was departing the club with the Player of the Month award in his hands, it was evident that Stevenage had a special young talent on their hands.
They recognised that by awarding him with his first professional contract, and then sending him back to the Scholars in January, who Hicks admitted helped to adapt his game to be more physical and play more directly.
With then-Stevenage academy manager Nick Mountford one of Bar’s coaches and Louie Henry and Rylee Mitchell both in the squad, Hicks was this time joined by a host of Boro personnel, due to the club’s faith in them to develop Stevenage’s talent.
After a superb second spell that featured a 4-2 derby victory over Cheshunt, Hicks left Bar a highly influential player in their season.
Semi-Professional caught up with the 18-year-old to discuss his spell in Step 3.
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