How Barnet are Tearing Up the National League
Barnet FC, a club that looked destined to stay in the fifth tier forever, are nine games away from a return to the EFL. The Bees have 82 points, 79 goals scored, 32 conceded and five losses all season, which has left them 11 points clear at the top of the table. It’s only a matter of games before a long-awaited return to the EFL, but how have Barnet created such a buzz at the Hive this season?
The Bees are flying🐝🔥#BarnetFC | @BarnetFC pic.twitter.com/SCf4KuLOFk
— National League on DAZN (@DAZN_NationalLg) March 5, 2025
Representing the London borough of Barnet and currently based in Edgware, Barnet first entered the football league in 1991, and have spent 21 of the last 34 seasons in the third or fourth tier. The bees' current stint in the National League is their longest since ‘91, now into their seventh straight season in non-league’s highest division, and is one of the longer stays in the league.
Since October 22nd, Barnet’s league record looks like this;
— National League - The Deck (@TheDeckNL) March 2, 2025
🆚 20 Games
🌟13 Wins
🤝 7 Draws
👎 0 Losses
⚽️ 38 Goals Scored
❌ 13 Goals Conceded
🚫 11 Clean Sheets
That is utterly ridiculous.🔥#BarnetFC🟠 | @BarnetFC pic.twitter.com/dK0MWvGSB4
There has been a shift in attitude around the club over the last couple of seasons, finishing in a playoff position two seasons in a row, Barnet were unfortunate to see their 5th and 2nd place finishes both end in playoff semi-final defeat. However, despite being the second best team in the 2023/24 season, many expected Barnet to have another drop off with many former EFL clubs like Forest Green Rovers, Oldham Athletic, Rochdale and Southend their competition.
The 2024/25 National League title race has ended up being between Barnet, Forest Green and York City, but in recent weeks the Bees have pulled clear of the other pair with some impressive stats. The North London club are the leading goalscorers out of the entire top five divisions of England and have been unstoppable at home, winning 16, drawing three and losing none.
🥇Most goals this season (top five tiers):
— playmakerstats (@playmaker_EN) March 5, 2025
78⚽️: 🐝BARNET🐝
72⚽️: Leeds
67⚽️: York City
66⚽️: Liverpool
64⚽️: Walsall, Gateshead#BarnetFC pic.twitter.com/mAgNMKZIBc
The side crazily have not lost in the league since October, with their five losses of the season all coming in the first few months of the season. In their last 12 games the Bees have earned 32 points, scoring 28 and conceding two. If they remain unbeaten for the last nine games, they will break Crawley’s record of the longest unbeaten streak (30) going 31 without defeat.
These stats have not happened without the players and squad that Dean Brennan has constructed over the last few years. The centre forward spot has been taken by a few strikers this season, Nicke Kabamba finally left the club for Bromley after scoring 54 league goals in two and a half seasons. He was smartly replaced by Neil Ndlovu who has scored five goals since he was drafted in a couple of months ago. Callum Stead has also been a consistent supply, with 19 goal contributions in all competitions throughout the season.
Nick Hayes was another winter departure that Barnet dealt with, replacing him with Owen Evans on loan from Cheltenham. Evans has kept nine clean sheets in his 10 games since joining Barnet, conceding a single goal, the 28-year-old might be someone they choose to sign permanently if the Bees are to be promoted.
What a beautiful 24 seconds. Save of the season so far from Owen Evans and then what a ball from @BruntZak and that technique from @Callumstead9 is ridiculous. Could be watching this club all week long. pic.twitter.com/yFx7inYzD7
— TheBeeBrief (@The_BeeBrief) February 2, 2025
After coming so close to promotion last year, transfers were a make or break heading into this season. Summer signings of Anthony Hartigan, Myles Kenlock, Ryan Glover and Nikola Tavares have been useful additions in all areas of the pitch with all four of them playing over 2,300 minutes. Kenlock in particular in recent weeks has been a level above, and Hartigan was a clever move as someone with EFL experience, both will be in the picture heading into their potential League Two campaign.
With their fantastic home form this season, it is a shame that the citizens of Chipping Barnet (where the club was previously based over 5 miles away) have to travel since moving from Underhill over a decade ago. The club introduced the ‘Back to Barnet’ campaign in 2024, in an attempt to build a new Underhill stadium back to the EN5 area code.
🚨Bring Barnet Back!🚨
— BeesPod (@beespod) February 11, 2025
We need your help! Please sign and share the petition below to help bring #BarnetFC back home.
All signatures and shares matter.
💛🖤https://t.co/sMIZnnLQeZ
Whether in Edgware or Barnet, League Two or the National League, the Bees are one of the lower league’s most notable clubs, especially in the London scene, and if they keep up their strong form, are set to win the National League for a record fourth time.
Join our newsletter
Become a part of our community and never miss an update from Football Park.
Contact Sales