We begin to take a look through the sides that we will come up against in League Two next season.
Who Are They?
Barnet FC were founded in 1888 in Chipping Barnet, a town which was then part of Hertfordshire. Now based in Edgware, north-west London, the Bees compete at the aptly named Hive Stadium. Prior to their move to their newly constructed home in 2013, Barnet played their football at Underhill Stadium predominantly in the non-league circuit before earning promotion to the Football League in 1991.
After reaching the third tier in 1993, the Bees then suffered an immediate relegation back into the fourth tier before dropping back out of the Football League in 2001. Following a four-year absence, they then won the Conference during the 2004/05 season to grant a return to League Two where they then spent eight consecutive seasons before suffering relegation once more in 2013. Two years later, Barnet lifted the Conference title again and they have remained a Football League side since.
How Did They Perform Last Season?
The 2016/17 campaign saw managers come and go as Barnet recorded a mid-table finish in League Two. With Rossi Eames in charge from April 15th 2017 after Kevin Nugent's departure, the Bees ended the season in 15th position with a total of 57 points. They disappointed in cup competitions, however, as they suffered exits at the earliest possible stage in the EFL Cup, the FA Cup and the Checkatrade Trophy.
Despite finishing in the bottom half of League Two, John Akinde found the net on 26 occasions to comfortably end as the club's top goal scorer during 2016/17. Only John Marquis of promotion-winning Doncaster Rovers could match his tally in the fourth tier. Barnet will now hope to keep hold of their star striker going into the new campaign.
Our Last Meeting
With Vale sitting top of League Two on the 9th February 2013, Barnet held them to a 0-0 draw at Underhill Stadium. During a first half whereby the home team dictated proceedings, Valiants goalkeeper Chris Neal was called into action on numerous occasions to keep the scores level.
In an improved second 45 minutes by Vale, Tom Pope saw a header crash off the post from close range but it wasn't to be. Barnet then found the net late on, but the corner that resulted in the chance had already gone out of play before it reached the area and the referee ruled it out.
How To Get There
From Vale Park, Barnet's Hive Stadium is a 152-mile journey via the M6 and M1. For travelling by car:
- Enter M6 then merge with M42 and return onto M6 then join M1
- Head to the M25
- Exit Junction 4, take slip roaddown to roundabout and take 2nd exit to Stanmore on A410
- At next roundabout take 1st exit A5 Edgware Road, continue for 1 mile and turn right into Camrose Avenue.
Travel By Train
You can also get to the Hive Stadium via train.
The nearest London Underground station to the stadium is Canons Park which is approximately a 15-minute walk away.
Odds On Promotion
According to Sky Bet, Barnet are 10/1 to get promoted from League Two this season. They are also ranked at 50/1 to lift the league title.