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Too Much Politics
Underhill By: Eric Hitchmo 14/12/2011






Recent events in the world of Barnet FC have got me thinking. I'm sure many of us are doing the exact same thing. The situation with Underhill, and moreso the moving away from it, is now coming to a head and there is an awful lot of emotion flying about from all corners of the Barnet fanbase. An ill-judged, unfortunate mishap from a respectable individual yesterday, revealing several sketchy details of a meeting between the chairman and the Supporters Assocation has appeared to set a ball rolling, and who knows where it will end up.

Here on Downhill Second Half, we have tended to distance ourselves from the whole ground situation. It's not because we don't care, it's just that there is so much emotion around it that we're finding it best to stay well clear. There are so many different viewpoints, so many different theories, so many different conspiracies and counter-conspiracies around the whole situation that it's hard to keep up with what's going on. Too much in the way of politics and personal agendas for my liking. I imagine, that for the one person who holds the key in this whole saga, Tony Kleanthous, it's hard also to ascertain just what the fanbase is saying, and what it wants for the club. As good as it's intentions are, I do not feel that the Supporters Association/Trust are representing the entire spectrum of fans views on this, but in fairness, it's a very hard thing to do and it's through no fault of their own.

What is clear is that there appear to be several 'factions' within the fanbase, each with its own view on how the club should go forward. Some absolutely abhorr the idea of moving to The Hive in Harrow as it is claimed that the club will lose its identity in the same way Wimbledon did, some welcome the idea as it is a fantastic facility with enormous potential for a growing, progressive football club. For me, it's a little from column A, and a little from column B, though to compare the situation to Wimbledon is a tad excessive. What isn't helping is that all these factions bicker and snipe between themselves, and these squabbles are getting us nowhere. I anticipate that we will be hearing some news on this matter soon, so until then, let's just all play nicely, eh?

Personally speaking, it does seem startlingly obvious what is going to happen. Ties with the council are more or less completely severed, that much is clear going by a number of attacking articles in recent months. This can't be a fluke, and you wonder how things could be so different if the relationship had been managed better from both sides of the proverbial garden fence. No use worrying about that now, we are where we are, so to speak, so if the inevitable move to The Hive does indeed come to fruition, we, as supporters need to do just that. We will not go forward at Underhill, that much is strikingly obvious, and with no clear option in Barnet, if we have to go to Harrow then so be it. I want my club to progress, I have no interest in watching it struggle on in the basement of the Football League as we have done for seven years. If this is the sort of thing you enjoy, I would suggest that football is perhaps the wrong sport for you. We'll just be a club that plays near its home. Again, this is absolutely not the same as what happened to AFC Wimbledon. To compare the two situations is nonsense.

Of course we want to stay in Barnet given the choice, but that is so clearly not an option, unless as I say, you really want to watch us stagnate and drop back to the leagues from where we came. Because that WILL happen, believe me.

As previously mentioned, I have tried to keep myself away from this whole saga, it's all so messy. However, with recent events in mind, and everyone sharing their tuppence worth, I felt it only necessary to have a say. This is a far cry from several years ago when, as a young, impressionable lad wanting to make a difference I was involved in all sorts. I was part of the BFCSA for a while, and did a lot with the KBA movement. Admirable as it was, looking back on it, it seemed that all we were really doing was canvassing for the Labour party. It didn't work. Such experiences put me right off the whole thing and I tend to just take a backseat view nowadays. Does that give me less right as a supporter to have a say when the mood takes me? Perhaps. Though what is it that constitutes how much of a say you have? Is it the number of games you go to? Is it the amount of voluntary help you do for the club? Is it the amount of money you put behind the bar? It seems like some people believe that through a combination of the above, they have the right to more of a say than anyone else. Dangerous ground. Very dangerous.

This is not a place for personal agendas, we need to be united as a fanbase and not be getting caught up in these petty fights. Easier said than done though, as was shown horribly at the AFC Wimbledon game a few weeks back, albeit for entirely different reasons. It makes you wonder whether that will ever be the case, and you feel as if the coming weeks and months will be very interesting and laced with debate on this entire situation. I trust though that whatever happens, TK will do what he feels best for the football club, and that can only be a good thing, right?

One thing is clear though, big change is coming.




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All Articles By This Author:

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20/01/2024 Barnet Rivalries
08/10/2023 Take On Me
03/09/2023 Wood You Watch That Every Week?
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26/03/2023 Home Away From Home
13/02/2022 The View From Afar
19/04/2013 Underhill
03/04/2013 Away
02/02/2013 Questions
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