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Champions
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Special
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By:
Max Bygraves
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28/04/2025
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This article has been viewed 755 times.
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I'm writing this the night after the day and night before. I normally try and aim for a quick turnaround for the next morning but nothing coherent was getting written in time for Sunday this time. Found this the hardest one to start writing all season long. Where do you begin? Saturday 26th April 2025 was special. Really special.
Five years ago almost to the day, WhatsApps were being exchanged between myself and the other proprietors of this establishment about the possibility of doing a podcast about the Underhill days. At that time, Barnet FC was a thing of my past. Disillusioned with the move away, the direction and general feel of the club; it was a sore subject. There was bitterness, an element of grief at what it felt was completely lost and at that time, no inclination to find myself back involved again.
It seems like another lifetime now. Lockdown, pre-children and well and truly out of love with Barnet Football Club. If you'll allow me this moment of self-indulgent perspective, having this thought whilst slightly fuzzy-headed in the wake of the title celebrations, makes it all the more sweet. The transformation of our football club since a certain Irishman walked through the door in 2021 has been nothing short of remarkable. On a personal level, this renaissance and resurrection of a love that had buried itself away so deeply has really amplified my strength of feeling about this occasion.
As mentioned in the post-Sutton article, for me, this had to be a family affair and added to our usual ranks in Block E were my dad, wife and two young children. It's going to be hard not to jump around the chronology of the day in this one, but I can honestly say that what I am reflecting on here will go down as one of, if not the most, memorable days I have had in my 26 year association with Barnet. Just magic.
I don't think I was the best company for anyone pre-match. Though not particularly worried we'd get the job done, nervous energy and anticipation of the occasion were rife from about 11am onwards. I just needed it to be 3pm. Not sure I was much company or conversation at least until we made the earlier than usual arrival to The Hive a little after 2pm. One of the final parking spaces right by the turnstile was somehow secured and we made it in just before the inevitable turnstile queues happened. A good start after an anxious wait.
Walking to our seats just ahead of the teams coming out, the excitement was palpable. The roar when the first chords of Sweet Child of Mine came over the tannoy system was really something. Here we bloody go.
The game kicked off amidst a cacophony of noise. Credit where it's due to the youngster for their many banners, flags and relentless vocal support. They truly ramped up the occasion. This was very much matched by the players, getting at Aldershot from the off. Our visitors, although still not totally mathematically safe, seemingly with eyes only on an FA Trophy Final at Wembley in a few weeks. They played like a team with other things on their mind from the off whereas our intentions for the day were clear.
Moments after being informed of a York goal that could have caused a slight wobble, we were given a glorious opportunity. A completely mindless foul on Ade Oluwo in the box presented us with a penalty after just seven minutes. Fresh from his heroics on Monday, Mark Shelton stepped up and showed similarly cool levels of composure. Dispatching confidently, we took an early 1-0 lead - just what was needed to shake off any lingering nerves.
Less than a quarter of an hour later and it was a case of deja vu. Another mindless foul for which the ref looked almost disappointed that he simply had no choice but to award another penalty for. Aldershot could have no arguments. Was there any doubt when Shelton picked up the ball? A very similar run of events made it 2-0 to Barnet and as early as the twentieth minute, it felt we could relax into the celebrations. Eleven goals from midfield this season for Barnet's number 19 (including a worthy goal of the season winner), yet another excellent bit of recruitment.
There was little else to report from the first half. Probably a bit of collective surprise that this was all going quite so to plan so early with joy and a sense of relief the overriding feelings. With little ones' attentions fading, we made our way down behind the stand a little before the interval where some orange and black balloons were a useful source of occupation. Half time conversations had a consistent theme. How easy is this? How nice is it not to be worrying... And, surely, even we can't balls this up from here?
Callum Stead ensured we had nothing to worry about just five minutes after the break. Reacting quickly on the rebound, he had a near open goal to slot into. 3-0. Win secured, title done. Sit back and enjoy.
Enjoyment grew even further just a few minutes later when the procession transcended to a rout. A strange goal from our viewing perspective that didn't look to have crossed the line, but on reviewing the footage evidently very much did. Stead once again the man to finish off from close range. 4-0, on a day like this - how very unlike Barnet.
The final third of the game was really just about the wait for the excitement at the whistle. On another day, we may have added to our tally, but the game was done. It was great to be able to simply relax and make the most of the occasion. A number of substitutions gave varying individuals much deserved moments of adulation from the crowd. I enjoyed the announcement about not going on the pitch around the 85th minute being the cue for everyone under the age of 25 to edge towards the front. Fair play. You know you're getting on a bit when you're no longer in the initial pack for this.
The full time whistle saw very much the 'swarm of bees' invade the pitch. It looked great from our vantage point, to be fair. I had promised my kids that provided things went to plan they'd get on the pitch and see a trophy. The first part of this was kept to at a slightly more leisurely pace than for some as we casually hopped over the boards onto the turf. No thanks go to The Wardrobe at this point who felt it appropriate to tackle me to the ground once on the grass. We were all a bit giddy, I guess.
On a day of many amazing moments, I have to say watching my children run around the pitch in their Barnet shirts was what got me. I thought the last of my Barnet-related tears had been used up on the relegation day at Northampton in 2013. This welling up was very much of a different kind, however. Speaking to others in similar positions, seeing your own do what you did in the past really does have the onion cutting effect. I never thought 2005 could be beaten but I think if you'd told the 16-year-old fanatic then that in 20 years I'd be celebrating similarly but with my two children in Barnet shirts on the pitch singing 'We Are The Champions' that's pretty much all I'd have hoped for. (Although to be accurate, there was no pitch invasion when we won it in 2005 - only post-trophy presentation on the last home game. Seen some inaccurate discussion about this online and we are sticklers for facts and stats here, so there you go.)
After the usual 'what do we now?' once on the pitch following the initial excitement, via a walk around, a family photo with Danny Collinge and many jubilant hugs, we ventured back to our seats for the trophy lift. Or this was the plan.
I suppose we had to make something typically Barnet and the shambles of what should have been a really brilliant moment for all, was it. Rather than clearing the pitch, people were allowed to form a crowd around the presentation area on the Hive Stand side of the ground. The kids wanted to do this once they'd seen everyone else on (Mr Bumble in particular the target for my son) so we found ourselves making our way back over the advertising boards. It was clear what was going to happen as the crowd edged nearer with every player name announced coming out for their medals. The trophy was lifted and once again, a swarm descended. Whilst it was exciting for all, it was a shame not to give the players their moment and then get a lap of honour with the trophy.
After a number of pleas by the stadium announcer, people did eventually back away from the players and give them a little space to celebrate. One such announcement was interrupted by Kirk Rayment from the management team, taking the mic to sing 'Champions again ole ole.' There was no hint that anyone wasn't having a fantastic time. Whilst on the pitch, it was nice to see Harry Pritchard there very much in a supporter role. We had a short exchange where I thanked him for his instrumental role in the team that began to turn the club around and restore pride again in our name. The fact he was there with the fans keeping it low key speaks volumes about a proper Barnet man of real humility and class. I hope there's a space for some sort of ongoing role at the club for him, particularly if he doesn't resume playing again.
Once the pitch was cleared and most of the crowd had departed, a hardy 300 or so remained in Legends waiting for the trophy. At this point, the family departed after an afternoon to remember. My dad is convinced that will be my three year old son's first memory. ‘Best day ever’ was a quote from each of them on their way out. Playing the footage back today and 'We Are The Champions' in the car doing what we can to keep it at the forefront. Let's see.
The players did come out for another uninterrupted lift but other than a brief appearance of the silverware courtesy of Glover and Tavares, it stayed over the other side with their families. We then had the slightly ridiculous notion of attempts of being ushered out by stewards keen to clock off. The result of this was the Chief Steward and Kirk Rayment having an interesting exchange, which led to an invite back onto the pitch by our logistics manager. What a bloke. Already known as a key cog in what happens, the man solidified his name in Barnet folklore throughout the post-match events. Back over we popped for a third time on the pitch.
Maybe I need a thesaurus for next season, but I am going to describe the next bit as special, also. Wandering around the pitch with a pint and milling about with the players and staff was some way to end the afternoon's proceedings. Players were incredibly generous with their time for fans young and old. One thing to take from the post-match events throughout was what an incredibly decent bunch of blokes make up the class of 2025. Not a bad word to say about any of them. Absolute gents who were clearly keen for the fans to enjoy the moment just as much as them.
We then wiled away another hour or so in The Hive Bar and out the front with a couple more drinks which went down like water. Players were coming and going from the changing room, including Ryan Glover in a towel only. What a beautiful man.
Zak Brunt came down like an excited puppy. Kindly given a 'Champions 25' t-shirt by a supporter, he quickly donned this and after having a kickabout with some kids, a conversation was had with our group as to later evening plans. "There's a load of free ale up there, so I'll have that and then we'll be over to The Railway Tavern with you lot." This just after he let me have a go at wearing his medal. Yes, I am 10 years old and no I don't care.
We ubered our way back to Barnet around 8:30pm and were joined not too long later by Brunty and co. The Tav was absolutely rammed and the bit out the back was buzzing with songs, beer and general excitement. It was wall to wall in there. Old Barnet fans, new Barnet fans, forever Barnet fans. In one of many impassioned conversations through the evening with one friend, it was discussed how this feels like we've entered an exciting period of growth, more broadly than just a league win. Many old faces have ventured back and have the bug again. We have an enthusiastic, growing younger section of support. There is a feeling of togetherness so often highlighted by Brennan, both on and off the pitch. We are winning lots of games and most importantly of all, we are hopefully soon to be back home in Barnet. Exciting times.
The players' entry to the pub was brilliant. Brunt leading the charge, a squad assembled on the railings looking into the beer garden for the start of a boisterous singing session. Each player got their individual adulation before some collective classics including the Twist and plenty of Bees are going up. I have no idea how long that all went on for but it felt like you were in something significant. The sort of thing you see footage of other clubs do when they win stuff and there we were, front and centre. It did strike me in the moment just how…yep, special, this all was. You can't escape this word for everything about this, unfortunately.
Once the singing had died down a little, the players spread around the pub and very happily mingled with their adoring public. Ndlovu wasn't seen without a big cigar throughout and it was a pleasure to buy Zak Brunt a couple of Baby Guinesses at the bar. Every player or member of staff were simply exceptional. Most got a hug or at least a handshake. Jerome Okimo in particular was incredibly generous with his time listening to probably quite a lot of drivel from a few of us in the beer garden post 11pm.
It was one of those nights where one moment it was 10pm and the next we were into Sunday morning and perhaps waning slightly. Numbers started to drop off and I decided to call it a day before things got sloppy. I missed Kirk Rayment standing on a table playing the guitar but did make it into The King of Taste kebab establishment across the road to get doner meat and chips at the same as Harry Chapman and his Mrs getting their end of night food. It's hazy by now but we had some sort of chat about them being from Hartlepool and me asking him to not consider any thoughts of heading north anytime soon. We then had a selfie with me wearing his champions cap and him in a pair of bee sunglasses. Cheers, Harry.
I got home, put the YouTube highlights on, ate a bit of nutritional doner and proceeded to fall asleep in my Barnet 2004/05 shirt and jeans on the sofa, next waking up at 6am when my son was getting up. Apart from that last detail, it all very much felt like full circle to that fabled night when we did it in April 2005.
One doesn't have to be better than the other. They're in very different contexts and I'm hugely grateful decisions over the past five or so years had led me being able to fully enjoy this. I was there in 2015 but it felt a bit like being at someone you don't know that well's party. This one was hugely personal and the fact it involved my own family and created memories for others too does perhaps put it at the top of the tree. What a nice problem to have to work out.
I won't be going to Fylde next week but wish those of you making the trip north a great time. Were this some 15 or so years ago, I have no doubt it could have been a 3 nighter in Blackpool and why the bloody hell not. I am quite content to leave this remarkable season here however, ending on the ultimate high.
You'll hear from us over the summer as we get primed and excited for our return to the Football League and try to fill the void with whatever we deem acceptable as content. A season review will be added here in due course - I don't envisage a repeat of last year where I got halfway through writing it before being too miserable about the ending and deciding to abandon it.
If you didn't get it already, this was a hugely special event for our football club. Champions again, ole ole.
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