Sam Deering is looking forward to returning to Underhill on Saturday and playing on the famous slope one last time. 

The Cheltenham Town midfielder spent over 18-months with the Bees, initially joining on loan, and is hoping they can avoid the drop.

Speaking exclusively to barnetfc.com Deering revealed his fondness for the club and all of those who are a part of it. 

“I am really looking forward to returning to Underhill. I thoroughly enjoyed my time there and I got on with the fans, the players and the staff really well.

“Despite now being at Cheltenham I always look out for Barnet’s results. I really hope they do stay up because they deserve to be in the Football League.”

The 22-year-old also declared that Underhill was a ‘special place’ but believes that the Bees can recapture the magic at The Hive. 

“It is a very special place and even though they are fighting down the bottom with four games left it is great that they will be exciting ones.”

“It is a nice ground to play on and the slope is very well known so it will be nice to play there one last time and be one of the last people to play there.”

He added: “It will be sad to see them leave but I am sure they will build another great atmosphere at their new home.”

Deering helped Barnet survive on the final day twice but despite the great memories he hopes to see the Bees battling higher up the table in the future.

“You don’t get much more memorable than staying up on the last game of the season twice! It is a great feeling and it is special to play in such a big game.

“I have always thought of Barnet being at least a mid-table club and if they add a few players in the summer I think they can really kick on up the league.

“They have some very good players and with the facilities they have they can attract even better ones and hopefully in the future they can be playing for promotion not survival.”

He’s also stayed in contact with a few of the Bees’ current squad but insisted he will not be doing them any favours on Saturday. 

“I still keep in touch with a few of the lads such as Mark Byrne and Ricky Holmes and even though Holmesy isn’t playing it will be good to catch up with him.

“All the lads I have spoken to are confident of staying in the division. Like I said I want them to stay up but they won’t be getting any favours off me on Saturday,” Joked Deering.  

Deering was brought to Cheltenham by manager Mark Yates following the Robins’ play-off final heartbreak and he believes after such a defeat it is important to rejuvenate the squad. 

“I think it always helps to bring in new players. When you do it gives everyone a lift and it means that you need to work that little bit harder for your shirt.

“I came in after the team lost in the play-offs and I think the new faces helped because there was no hangover it only made the team more determined to succeed.”