After much positive feedback from both the local and
national Government on this issue, both fans and club
feel very let down. Despite the fact that it would
mean the development of an existing, but somewhat
dilapidated, stadium rather than a brand new building
the plan was rejected because the stadium is on Green
Belt land. It does seem curious, however, that Arsenal
has just received permission to build a new training
HQ in Finchley, also on Green Belt.

This is a major setback for Barnet. Already struggling
to survive on the lowest gates in the third division,
this decision has the potential to put the final nail
in the coffin of a very proud club. Barnet’s present
ground, Underhill, does not meet the required Football
League standard of a 6000 capacity. Plans are afoot to
increase the capacity for the coming season to just
under 5000, with the possibility of increasing this to
the League minimum. However, the ground is on Green
Belt land and the stadium size cannot be developed
further. Already the club has been granted two ‘stays
of execution’ by the League to remain at Underhill -
there is no guarantee that they will continue to be so
generous. A new stadium would have given a tremendous
boost to both the club and the local community -
sadly, this will not happen for the foreseeable
future.

It seems as if all football authorities plead
ignorance of the plight of the small club. Liverpool
were able to receive a substantial grant from the
Football Trust to redevelop their Kop. This sum was
more than the TOTAL amount given to help all Division
Three clubs last season.

Barnet fans, along with those of other clubs, are
joining together to make our feelings against the
Government known. Tony Blair’s government prides
itself on being for all people - sadly, it seems that
unless you conform to their ideals you will be cast
aside. Tony Banks, Sports Minister and Chelsea ‘fan’,
pretends to care about football - he, along with the
rest of his colleagues, seems intent to support only
the clubs who don’t need the support - those in the
Premiership. This can be the only reason why
Southampton’s planning permission for a new stadium
was granted within three months of application to the
Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions.
Unless you support a Premiership club, you might as
well not exist.

This trend will continue for as long as people prefer
to give Rupert Murdoch astronomical sums of money to
watch overpaid prima-donnas rather than support a club
that exists within their own community.

Barnet fans attended a meeting of Chairmen in
Nottingham in 1993, which persuaded them not to expel
the club from the League - such fan power has worked
before, and can again. A campaign has been started
aimed at saving Barnet Football Club from possible
expulsion and extinction. A meeting on the 14 June was
attended by a number of ardent fans, all frustrated
and angry by the clubs’ treatment. In addition, a
protest has been organised outside Downing Street on
Saturday 17 July at 3pm. We are urging all Barnet fans
to attend, wearing their colours with pride. We have
the support of several other clubs, including Brighton
and Hove Albion, Stevenage Borough and Enfield, the
majority of whom have also been let down by the
Government in recent years. Supporters from other
clubs are more than welcome to attend. It is time to
make a stand.

If you would like to lend support to the campaign,
please contact me and I will keep you informed with
all new developments. I also have petition forms
available on request for people to circulate and
return back to me. It would also be tremendous if such
a campaign could encourage old fans to re-attend games
and pledge their support to a very special football
club.

James Castle, 41 Little Ganett, Welwyn Garden City,
Herts, AL7 3DG