Barnet FC is proud to celebrate Raised in the EFL, shining a light on Anthony Haralambous, Aaron Liwala, Bright Siaw and Pat Matejko — four young players whose progress highlights the opportunities available to emerging talent at The Hive.
Every young footballer dreams of taking that first step into senior football. The first invitation to work with the first team, the first appearance on a team sheet and the moment they walk onto the pitch in front of supporters all represent years of effort.
Across the country, the EFL’s Raised in the EFL campaign celebrates the clubs, coaches and opportunities that help turn those ambitions into reality.
Running from 11–25 September, the campaign recognises the work taking place throughout the leagues to develop the next generation.
Here at Barnet, the journeys of Haralambous, Liwala, Siaw and Matejko give our own young players something tangible to aim for.
Each is at a different stage of his development, but together they demonstrate how academy football, first-team opportunities and experience in the wider football pyramid can contribute to a player’s progress.
Their stories also remind us that a breakthrough is rarely one moment. It is built through training sessions, matches, setbacks and the willingness to keep learning.
Anthony Haralambous: taking the next steps
For young goalkeeper Anthony Haralambous, the journey towards senior football brings the particular demands of a position where patience and readiness go hand in hand.
The academy goalkeeper has progressed to involvement in Barnet’s first-team matchday squad, including a place among the substitutes against Accrington Stanley this month.
That represents an opportunity to experience the preparation, responsibility and expectations surrounding senior football.
For a developing goalkeeper, being part of that environment matters.
The position demands communication, concentration and decision-making alongside the technical work of handling, positioning and distribution.
A goalkeeper must be prepared to contribute even when the opportunity to play arrives unexpectedly.
Anthony’s contribution within the Academy has already been recognised. At the Club’s 2025/26 end-of-season awards, he received the Academy’s Club Person of the Year award — an achievement that deserves its place alongside the more visible milestones of contracts and appearances.
Football development includes learning how to be a teammate and how to contribute to the environment around you.
Recognition of that contribution is particularly fitting during a campaign celebrating the work involved in bringing young players through.
For Anthony, first-team squad involvement is another step in that process. The challenge now is to build on those experiences and continue preparing for the opportunities ahead.
Aaron Liwala: a new opportunity taken
Aaron Liwala’s story shows how a change of direction can become the beginning of a new opportunity.
Following his release by West Ham United at 16, Aaron joined Barnet’s Shadow Scholarship Programme at Canons High School in 2024.
From there, he progressed through the Club’s development structure, earned a scholarship and signed his first professional contract in August 2026.
His senior debut came against Arsenal Under-21s in the EFL Trophy, giving him the opportunity to represent the Bees in front of the home supporters.
When his professional deal was announced, Aaron spoke about the support he had received from Connor Smith and the
contribution that support had made to his development. Dean Brennan also recognised Connor’s role in identifying Aaron’s potential and helping him progress.
Aaron captured the excitement of his breakthrough in a few words:
“Making my first-team debut for the Bees felt surreal.”
His progress had also earned recognition within the Academy, where he collected both the Players’ Player and Manager’s Player awards at the 2025/26 end-of-season celebration.
For players currently working through the Shadow Scholarship Programme, Aaron provides a powerful example. They can see someone who entered through that route and went on to earn a professional opportunity.
That makes his achievement significant beyond his own career. It gives the next group a reason to believe in their work and a clear example of what progress can look like.
Bright Siaw: turning development into an impact
Bright Siaw’s journey has already brought together academy football, professional contracts, loan experience and a memorable contribution for the first team.
Having joined the Academy in the summer of 2024, Bright established himself in the Under-19s before signing his first professional contract in March 2025.
When that deal was announced, the Academy highlighted his performances in the FA Youth Cup and Middlesex Senior Cup, alongside his attitude and work on and off the pitch.
His development has also included senior experience with Burnham, Welling United and Southall. Those spells have given him opportunities to encounter different opponents and the demands of men’s football.
In January 2026, Bright signed a new contract running until June 2029. Discussing the agreement, Brennan praised his progress, highlighted the contribution of his time at Southall and recognised the way he had continued to impress in training and matches.
Supporters saw that progress produce a memorable moment against Arsenal Under-21s in August. Bright opened the scoring in Barnet’s 5–1 EFL Trophy victory, finding the bottom corner from the edge of the area inside the opening ten minutes.
For an academy graduate, contributing to a first-team win offers another milestone to build upon. It is an opportunity to put the lessons of training and previous matches into practice when the result matters.
Bright’s journey also illustrates the value of time spent away on loan. Experiences elsewhere in the football pyramid can play an important part in preparing a young player to return and compete for opportunities at his parent club.
Pat Matejko: building on an early breakthrough
Pat Matejko’s route into senior football began while he was still a teenager in the Club’s development system.
Before signing his first professional contract on his 17th birthday in June 2024, the midfielder had already appeared for Barnet in National League fixtures against York City and Kidderminster Harriers.
Those early appearances gave him an introduction to senior football, with his professional deal marking the next stage of his progress.
At the time, Brennan praised Pat’s attitude, fitness and potential, while making clear that the next challenge was to compete for a regular place in the squad.
This season, Pat started alongside fellow academy products Liwala and Siaw in the EFL Trophy victory over Arsenal Under-21s, operating in an advanced midfield role. Having three players who had progressed through the Club’s development structure in the same starting line-up made the evening particularly significant.
Pat subsequently joined Hertford Town on an initial 28-day loan, adding another opportunity to gain senior playing experience.
For a young midfielder, those minutes offer valuable practice in managing the pace and physical demands of a game, recognising when to take risks and making decisions under pressure.
His story is a reminder that development continues well beyond a first contract or debut. Each appearance presents a fresh challenge, and each spell of competitive football can help prepare a player for the next step.
A connection the next generation can see
An academy player’s progress means something to the people around him.
For teammates, it shows that opportunities can be earned. For younger players and their families, it makes the route towards senior football easier to picture.
For coaches, it reflects the work invested across countless sessions, conversations and matches.
The Arsenal Under-21s fixture provided one clear example of that connection at Barnet, with Liwala, Siaw and Matejko all starting in a first-team victory.
Haralambous’ involvement in the senior matchday squad provides another, demonstrating a different stage of the same ambition.
Their journeys have taken different forms. Aaron has worked his way forward after release from another club. Bright has combined academy progress with experience on loan. Pat has continued building on an early introduction to the first team.
Anthony is gaining exposure to the senior environment as he develops in goal.
There is room to celebrate each of those steps while recognising the work still ahead.
As Barnet joins the Raised in the EFL campaign, we are proud to recognise these four young players and everyone who has contributed to their progress.
For Anthony Haralambous, Aaron Liwala, Bright Siaw and Pat Matejko, there are further opportunities to pursue and new challenges to meet. For those following behind them in the Academy, there are already examples to look towards.
Raised in the EFL. Developing at The Hive. The next generation of Bees.
