Despite the Club’s various community days, open days and even the inter-club friendly on Saturday July 13th, I am rather ashamed to say that the Ipswich game was actually my first trip to The Hive.
It was with no little trepidation that I made the journey across London to see my first game at Barnet’s new home.
"Super Barnet, from Underhill" had been the chant sung so vociferously for so long in the South Stand at our old ground, in planning to take my seat in the West Stand at The Hive I couldn’t help but feel it was all a little strange.
Walking into the Hive Complex, there is no doubt that it is an impressive site. After asking the friendly stewards for directions we found where we needed to collect our memberships.
Given this was the first game at The Hive, inevitably there was a long queue but we waited patiently as members collected their cards to gain access to the stadium.
It took quite a long time and I was keen as ever to get some pre-match refreshments but I looked up and suddenly saw the Chairman, Tony Kleanthous, helping the staff to distribute memberships to eager Bees waiting to get their first taste of football action at The Hive.
It was at this point that I realised that no matter where the club plays, the spirit of Barnet can live on – on and off the pitch.
Where else would the Chairman be dishing out membership cards to ordinary fans? Can you see Sheikh Mansour or Roman Abramovich coming down to the ticket office to sort out a backlog at the turnstiles? Thought not.
I loved this simple moment of the Chairman taking the time to ensure all Bees got their memberships on time.
This is what I love about Barnet, the club, the fans, the manager, the players and chairman all pulling together in the same direction to try and do their best for the club. And this is what we must do, be it at The Hive or Underhill, for the good of the club. I thought the Chairman set an excellent example on Saturday.
Back to the game itself. It was a useful run out for Barnet, which ending in a narrow 1-0 loss and you couldn’t fault the application of the players.
Highlights included Keanu Marsh-Brown’s excellent pass that led to Harry Crawford running through to win a penalty, the assured performance of new signing Acheampong alongside David Stephens in central defence and the team as a whole putting in a composed display against a team well above them in the football pyramid.
And now, thanks to the Chairman, most Bees will have their memberships to attend the MK Dons game this Saturday! Well done to all Bees.
