Ten Years Since We Left Underhill

[erichitchmo]

On this day ten years ago we played our final game at Underhill. We have a little write up for you to enjoy and reminisce about.

[ricardobee]

An excellent write up. Just about sums up how (and I know others) feel about the home ground I first went to in the mid-50’s. There’s no point me moaning and groaning about what has happened, it will not change anything. One day this owner will get bored and there will be somebody who realises that the name of the club is Barnet F.C.
Thanks for the mention, I still miss all those running-out tunes and then the final run-through of the teams. Happy days.

[rudebwoyben]

Beautifully written. Reawakened poignant nostalgic memories in me.

[jerroll]

Brings a tear to my eyes reading that article, in the space of 8 weeks I lost my spiritual home, My team were relegated & then I lost my dad who first took me Underhill one Friday evening in October 1986. The middle one was the least of my concerns in reality.

[thebeekeeper]

What a great piece. Fantastic memories, though ones that simultaneously makes me so angry about how things have panned out - and frustrated that there's no way back.

[amberforever]

Yes: a very sad day and felt like an old friend had gone.
I too lost my Dad, who first took me in the 60s, just before the move so I’m pleased he didn’t have to see the move and relegation. I think he would have approved of the new facilities but miffed as to the location.

[HertsBee]

Apart from TK lying through his teeth about a referendum, then just shutting down Underhill and moving to the Hive, most of the blame lies with the Supporters. Too much apathy and not enough action was taken at the time and they just let things happen with virtually no resistance or protests. It wasn't just the SA/Trust that did nothing, Supporters as a collective just stood back and let it happen. Once at the Hive, with what's there now and what's to come in the future, there was never any intention of coming back to Barnet. All the talk about we will only be away for a max of 10 years was just a smokescreen, with people either getting used to the Hive, or forgetting about coming back home.

[BeeinBristol]

Beautifully written. Reawakened poignant nostalgic memories in me.

spot on

[letchbee94]

Beautifully written. Reawakened poignant nostalgic memories in me.

Yea agree.

[amberforever]

Yes, a great piece that really pulls the memories together. That’s it: it’s the approach to the stadium that’s different: the program sellers, scarf and rosette sellers (remember them!) queuing in off the street, and of course, the Old Red Lion. All builds up a great pre match atmosphere.

[northantsbee]

I still can't smell deep heat without seeing the players tunnel in my head

[pgbee]

The old SA hut which became a tea hut in the NE corner was another moaners corner...

[thebeekeeper]

Apart from TK lying through his teeth about a referendum, then just shutting down Underhill and moving to the Hive, most of the blame lies with the Supporters. Too much apathy and not enough action was taken at the time and they just let things happen with virtually no resistance or protests. It wasn't just the SA/Trust that did nothing, Supporters as a collective just stood back and let it happen. Once at the Hive, with what's there now and what's to come in the future, there was never any intention of coming back to Barnet. All the talk about we will only be away for a max of 10 years was just a smokescreen, with people either getting used to the Hive, or forgetting about coming back home.

In fairness to individual supporters, there wasn't really a functioning SA back then to act as a focal point for people's views, if I remember correctly. The move was also billed as temporary and the whole thing seem to progress very quickly when compared with most stadium moves (I suppose because we already had access to the site as a training facility). I think our relegation battle probably acted as a distraction too, in the final year at Underhill.

Conversely - and maybe this is the product of being a suburban London club rather than a club that defines a city / town's identity - but I suspect we have a more apathetic fanbase than a lot of other sides. I think if a similar scenario played out for a many other teams around the country, they would have either kicked up a fuss, or pushed harder for a move back to their traditional location in the years that have followed.

[HertsBee]

Apart from TK lying through his teeth about a referendum, then just shutting down Underhill and moving to the Hive, most of the blame lies with the Supporters. Too much apathy and not enough action was taken at the time and they just let things happen with virtually no resistance or protests. It wasn't just the SA/Trust that did nothing, Supporters as a collective just stood back and let it happen. Once at the Hive, with what's there now and what's to come in the future, there was never any intention of coming back to Barnet. All the talk about we will only be away for a max of 10 years was just a smokescreen, with people either getting used to the Hive, or forgetting about coming back home.

In fairness to individual supporters, there wasn't really a functioning SA back then to act as a focal point for people's views, if I remember correctly. The move was also billed as temporary and the whole thing seem to progress very quickly when compared with most stadium moves (I suppose because we already had access to the site as a training facility). I think our relegation battle probably acted as a distraction too, in the final year at Underhill.

Conversely - and maybe this is the product of being a suburban London club rather than a club that defines a city / town's identity - but I suspect we have a more apathetic fanbase than a lot of other sides. I think if a similar scenario played out for a many other teams around the country, they would have either kicked up a fuss, or pushed harder for a move back to their traditional location in the years that have followed.

Exactly this.

[underhillbovrilstink]

Great piece fellas

If we had a time machine we would all be going back to 2013, chaining ourselves to the goal posts, protesting and letting TK know who’s club it is. The “temporary” move was only announced in the February and last match was played only a mere two months later.

TK took an opportunity at this stage (after council shenanigans and relegation looming) as he required Barnet FC off the Underhill site in order to make a sale prior to 2016 by which time he would have had to split the profits with the council due to a covenant on the freehold.