BYRNE, Mark Born In Dublin On 09/11/1988  Ireland Joined On 15/07/2010 Player 2012-2013s Number 8 Mark Byrne is a simply terrific little footballer. The Irish midfielder first linked up with Barnet on loan at the beginning of the 2010-11 season, largely thanks to previously working with first team coach Michael Stone when at Rushden & Diamonds, also on loan, from Nottingham Forest. Prior to this he also had a brief spell at Burton Albion, after signing for Forest as a youngster from Irish side Crumlin United in 2005. He made a decent start to his Barnet career, in a very poor side, under the poor management of Mark Stimson. Byrne notched a couple of goals, including a valuable header in a 1-1 draw at Torquay United in November 2010. However, shortly after this, his time at the club was cut short due to a bad knee injury. In a miserable season, with plenty else to worry about, Byrne was all but forgotten, before surprisingly returning to the club for a second loan stint in early March. His impact this time around was far more noticeable. Along with fellow loanee (at the time) Sam Deering and Mark Marshall, Byrne became a key player in Barnets run in to the great escape, scoring a vital goal in the 4-2 win at Gillingham along the way. He caught the eye as a busy, creative, box to box midfielder and certainly was an instrumental part of the side that kept us up. At the end of the season his loan deal came to an end and he was also released by Nottingham Forest. There was a bit of an anxious wait, but after reportedly snubbing interest from League One Chesterfield, Mark signed a permanent deal with Barnet in June 2011, much to this writer in particulars delight. He couldnt have really made a much better start to his time as a permanent Barnet player scoring an absolute screamer from 30 odd yards on the opening day of the 2011/12 season to secure a 1-0 away win at Morecambe. Personally, Byrne is one of the most exciting players I think the club has had for a while in his position. The boy looks a real class act and I get the feeling if he continues in the way he has done, Forest will end up regretting this little gem. Footnote: He is also a double/best lookalike EVER for the actor Jack OConnell, who played Cook in the TV show Skins. Google image it...Yeah? Im not lying, am I!

Goal Map (only available from 2002/2003 onwards) Total Goals:  14 SHOTS 8                 2 SIX YARD BOX   PENALTY SPOT 2   5 IN THE AREA   OUTSIDE THE BOX5 HEADERS 2 PENALTIES 2 FREE KICKS 2

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