Summer in full flow

The Hive welcomes more new additions as pre-season nears

After a few blank weeks of rest for the Barnet FC admin, things exploded into life on Monday afternoon with three more arrivals at The Hive to bring the total to 12 incoming this close season.

I have already previously had a look at the incoming with Finley Wilkinson the last the arrive when I last wrote. Since then the door hasn’t stopped opening for more new recruits.

A quick recap in six players released plus Connor Stevens departing for National League South Chesham Utd. Five in the door being Wilkinson, Joe Grimwood, Nik Tavares, Jermaine Francis, and Rhys Browne.

Next in the door was a new keeper, Nick Hayes. A man who didn’t have much to do on his last visit to The Hive but now aiming to be in a promotion campaign for the second season running. Almost a month after his signing a trading of keepers with Laurie Walker pitching up at Solihull Moors.

Up next, Joe Kizzi. Solid central defender at Bromley earnt him an EFL move to Sutton Utd, but choosing to head north of the river and for a fee as well, things happening this pre-season we rarely see at Barnet FC.

Another central defender followed him in, namely Joe Rye from Worthing. A young lad who I saw bossing National League South strikers two years ago at 18 years old.

Huge talent I believe and absolutely one for the future, was rumoured last summer to heading into the EFL so completely our gain this one and hopefully makes the step Marvin Armstrong couldn’t quite achieve in his time with us.

Before the end of May an expected departure and one that disappointed many too, Dale Gorman choosing to not accept a new contract and head round the M25 to Woking.

Gormo’s been great for two years for us, did what it said on the tin and would absolutely agree that at times when he was out injured teams nullified Anthony Hartigan and we couldn’t get an edge in the game.

However, you don’t stand still as a team or a club. We came up short last year, changes were needed, every player within last year’s squad can be upgraded on, and yes that even includes Nicke Kabamba.

With Gormo leaving I would also expect Luke Freeman to not return, however I wouldn’t be surprised to see him at pre-season training next week with the opportunity to win a place but he’s a lot to do to achieve that.

Mark Shelton from Oldham was the next arrival, the first midfielder in and one I believe we tried more than once to get last season from their over-bloated squad.

Similar to Gorman of two years ago supporters of his previous club don’t rate him highly at all, well Gormo turned out alright didn’t he! I take much with a pinch of salt when it comes to that, I’m not interested in the past bar seeing them play a good level of games year on year, it’s what he does for us.

And so to Monday. A double raid on Ebbsfleet Utd for Myles Kenlock and Billy Clifford. Kenlock I saw play a couple of times last year, very composed, good touch and comes to us as an England C international.

Clifford Dean knows very well, another I think he was keen to get last year. A good non-league career and no doubt a good character in the dressing room, let’s see what else he can bring to the party.

And the big one. The real big one. Anthony Hartigan. I’ll be honest and say I didn’t ever expect him back, not permanently and not on a 2 year deal. He had offers above us and plenty of them too, I fully expected him to take one.

That is testament to, one how our project looks from the outside. I know he saw it in full from the inside last year but in the climate of money needed to pay bills it seemed not to speak as high this time.

And two the lure of coming to play under Dean is not to be underestimated. And if that make me a fanboy so be it. There is a reason why they came, why players did in the last two years and why Swindon Town wanted to trigger the release clause.

You know that’s not to say Dean isn’t without flaws, but it’s about ironing those out as time allows and seasons progress. He’s 42 years old, still a learning curve, in fact isn’t life for us every day.

No doubt this year there is more pressure, second last year but no promotion. 12 new signings, granted only currently four above last year’s numbers, there might be one or two more to finish the recruitment off, he might be happy with where we start numbers wise.

One criticism last year was the lack of competition within the squad for starting players, the squad was quite deep but with not enough impact from the bench.

So far that looks to be rectified but don’t be surprised if the door remains ajar before the season kicks off.