Barnet FC are pleased to announce that Michael Gash has agreed a new deal with the club that will see him stay at The Hive for at least the 2015/16 season.

Gash joined Barnet on a free transfer back in January having been released by Kidderminster Harriers, and went on to make a total of fifteen appearances for Martin Allen’s men during which time he scored three goals to help the Bees finish as champions of the Vanarama Conference.

Commenting on his new deal with the club, the striker says that he is delighted to be staying with Barnet and is relishing the chance to play in the Football League for the very first time in his career:

“To finish the season the way we did and become champions was a fantastic feeling.

"I have always wanted to play in the Football League and have always felt like I am capable of doing so. For some reason on numerous occasions it has never quite happened – whether it was through bids being turned down or losing in the Play-Offs – so to get that opportunity with a team that I came up with is fantastic.

"I am over the moon that it is all signed and sealed and can’t wait to get going again in July. I got back from holiday yesterday and I just wanted to come in straight away and sign so now it is all done and dusted I can go away and relax for another week or so and then start doing my own work at home before we come back.

“I can’t wait to get going again. The manager has signed a new deal and you have got nearly all of the players here from last year who are obviously capable of playing in the league above.

“It is fantastic and hopefully the fans will have a great buzz with us being back in the League and keep coming week in, week out again.”

Meanwhile Martin Allen was full of praise for the impact that Michael had last season, and stated his belief that he has even more to offer the Bees as they prepare for life back in the Football League:

“I am pleased that the Chairman has agreed a new contract with Michael Gash for the season ahead.

“He had a difficult task of fitting in to our very close group midway through the season but he has adapted extremely well, he has led the line extremely well and he is a far better player than I expected.

“I first set eyes on him in a game at Kidderminster that I watched when they played Welling United. He got substituted and he threw his shirt at the manager in the dugout and I was sat just a few yards behind watching, and it was at that moment that I thought: ‘I would like to sign him.’

“He has got courage, he has got guts, he has been a model professional and I think that with a full pre-season with us and training through the summer you will see an even better Michael Gash come next season.

“He is an excellent signing so it is good news for us and the Chairman has done well to get him.”

Watch Michael Gash score his first goals for the club in a 3-1 win away at Altrincham last season: