Defender Ian Harte popped into Brunton Park this morning to say a fond farewell to the players and staff following his deadline day departure to Championship side Reading.

Harte, 33, signed a two-year deal with the Berskhire-based outfit earlier this week when Royals boss Brian McDermott swooped to capture the popular left back just hours before the transfer window closed.

Harte said: "The move really came from nowhere but I have to be honest and say that it is nice to see a club at that level showing an interest.

"They are a big club who were in the Premier League just a few years ago, and the fact that they are in the Championship gave me plenty to think about. I think the chance to go and play at that level again is one that I didn't want to miss.

"The difficult part about it all is the fact that I have really enjoyed my time here. Everyone has been really good to me, from the boardroom right the way through the rest of the club, and it's a massive consideration when something like this comes along.

"Andrew [Jenkins], Steven [Pattison] and John [Nixon] have always been honest and up front with me and it was the same with this situation when Reading got in touch. I think that they have done a fantastic job in taking the club forward and it is a really well run place.

"Greg Abbott has really looked after me and he was willing to give me a chance to get myself back into the game at a point when I didn't have a club. I can't thank him enough for that. I spoke to him for a long time about my reasons for wanting to move and I think he understands that every player wants to play at the highest level they can for as long as they can.

"It has been a hugely enjoyable period in my career and it's been a very important one as well. I'm not getting any younger though and to be able to make a step up at this stage is just too good an opportunity for me to miss."

Having scored the goal that effectively secured United's League One status at the end of the 2008/09 campaign, followed by 18 in all competitions last season, it will come as no surprise that the United result will be one of the first that Ian will look for come Saturday afternoon.

"It was like a breath of fresh air for me when I came to this club and that's not something that you're going to forget in a hurry," he explained.

"I'd played all of my career as a left back and Greg moved me to centre back, and that was quite a big learning curve. If I'm honest, it took a while for me to settle into it properly, but I think it was a move that worked really well for everyone in the end.

"I feel that I played some fantastic football personally and, as a team, that is all coming together as well. The players who have come into the squad have settled quickly and it looks like it is going to be an excellent season. It would be wonderful if the club could now continue this and get themselves promoted because the hard work that is done every day deserves that kind of return.

"I look at the team now and I can say that if I was the manager of a squad like this then I would be excited for the future. They play for each other and the spirit in the dressing room is amazing. Win, lose or draw he is guaranteed 100% from all of them, and you really do have a chance when you have a group like that. Greg and Kav will continue to demand the best from them and that can only be for the benefit of everyone.

"I think it goes without saying that I'm going to miss this place. That's why I have come back today so that I can say goodbye properly to everyone who has looked after me. It's really pleasing that we were able to come to an agreement over the move, because I know that the manager, his staff and the board were reluctant to let me go. We talked about the reasons why and it was all handled really professionally, and I appreciate that a lot."

"It does tug on the heart strings a little bit when you leave a place like this, I don't mind admitting that," he concluded.

"I've made so many friends up here that it has been unbelievable. I was only here a relatively short while but people really wanted to make it as enjoyable as they could. It does feel like I'm part of the club but I have a new challenge now and I know that people won't mind too much when I say that I want to go there and give them my best as well.

"Hopefully, one day, who knows, I may even be back! Even if it's just for a visit, it's a place that will always feel a little bit special for me."