It felt like Stevenage had gone striker crazy during the 2016 close season; Jake Hyde becoming the third attacker to come in through the front door. He was somewhat familiar to us too; coming up against us during his spells at both Barnet and York City. The latter was the last port of call before the Lamex; leaving after the Minstermen dropped back to the Conference.
With Boro’ opting to add yet more firepower to the squad, it was a sign that boss Sarll had recognised that scoring had become an issue towards the back end of the 2015-6 season. And yet it was a rare thing to see Hyde in a Boro’ shirt. Injuries kept him sidelined for much more than he’d like, while the chances he did get didn’t do much to impress.
He was released in summer 2017, and joined Maidenhead United; a side for whom he had played on loan during his time at the Lamex.
Jake Hyde: Before Boro’
The forward started his career with Swindon Town. He didn’t find much in the way of first team opportunities, however. A couple of loan spells at Weymouth introduced him to senior football though, before Barnet came swooping to sign him in the summer of 2009.
After Barnet opted to release Hyde from his contract after just one year, there followed a period of ‘moving around’. First it was to Hayes and Yeading in the Blue Square Premier, then it was north of the border and junior team Lochee United.
Lochee’s junior status meant he was able to play for Dundee on trial in the Scottish First Division. It was a successful goalscoring trial, but the club weren’t able to sign anyone due to a transfer embargo. That included even on loan. So, that left the door wide open for Dunfermline Athletic to come in and grab his signature.
Dundee soon got their man, however, and he stayed there for a year. Barnet then too decided they wanted Hyde back. So, he came back south to Underhill. In the 2012-3 campaign, he was Barnet’s leading marksman. Not that it could prevent the Bees from dropping into the Conference.
After another season in non-league, Hyde reportedly expressed a wish to play in the Football League. York City gave him that chance in 2014 and he marked it with a goal on debut. In addition to his domestic career, Hyde has also featured for England C.
