A look at next season's opponents continues with promoted Barnet
Who are ya?
Barnet are back in the Football League after two seasons in the Conference. They are in their second season at The Hive, their new stadium which they moved to after vacating their former home at Underhill, the club's home for the previous 106 years.
Who’s in charge?
Martin Allen went back to The Hive in March 2014 for his fourth spell in charge of the club. As a player Allen represented Queen’s Park Rangers, West Ham, Portsmouth and Southend before starting his managerial career with the Bees in 2003. As well as his time with Barnet he has also managed Brentford, MK Dons, Leicester City, Cheltenham and Gillingham.
This season
Barnet won the Conference by a single point ahead of Bristol Rovers, who went up via the play-offs. The Bees only lost eight League games and their form at the beginning of the season (seven wins out the first eight) and towards the end (six wins and three draws in their last nine) proved crucial in a competitive division, which the club have now won three times. In the FA Cup they went out in the first round, losing 3-1 to League Two Wycombe Wanderers.
Summer plans
Allen has already signed two as yet unidentified players as he begins his squad strengthening for the new season. Among those leaving Barnet are ex-Reds striker Charlie MacDonald while there is speculation linking another former Crawley forward, John Akinde, with a move away. Akinde, who scored 33 goals last season, is being monitored by Nottingham Forest. During his two years with Reds Akinde scored just once for the club.
Previous meetings
Having also played against the Bees in the Conference, Reds did the double over Barnet in the 2011-12 League Two promotion season, winning 1-0 at home and 2-1 at Underhill on the day Steve Evans left the club. John Dempster and Scott Davies scored while Sergio Torres was sent off and Michel Kuipers made a succession of great saves.
How far is it?
Another relatively short journey for Reds fans at 144 miles there and back. You can also get there on rail and tube.
Useful links
Club website
