Barnet

Barnet
Sinclair pens new deal at Barnet Barnet manager Paul Fairclough has continued planning for life in the Football League by agreeing a new deal with midfielder Dean Sinclair. The former Norwich youngster scored 11 goals in 43 games for the Bees. Sinclair, 19, impressed this season and has gained recognition by being named in the England non-league squad. He follows Simon Clist, Ian Hendon, striker Liam Hatch and central defender Ismail Yakubu, who have also signed new contracts at Underhill.

Batt agrees to stay with Barnet
Barnet have given Damian Batt a new contract as manager Paul Fairclough prepares his squad for their return to the Football League. The 20-year-old Batt signed for the club from Dagenham in September 2004 after impressing on trial. He was limited to just 17 appearances after picking up a hamstring injury in February against Carlisle. Batt joins Simon Clist, Ian Hendon, Liam Hatch, Dean Sinclair and Ismail Yakubu in committing to the Bees.

Fairclough is given Kerr warning
Scarborough chairman Malcolm Reynolds has warned England non-league boss Paul Fairclough not to use his position to try to sign Boro's Scott Kerr. Boro have already turned down several approaches from Fairclough's club Barnet for the 23-year-old midfielder. Kerr is in the national squad currently playing in the Four Nations Tournament. "Clearly it would be wrong for the manager of any international side to use that role to further his club's player recruitment," Reynolds said. Reynolds is also unhappy over reported remarks from Fairclough's regarding Scarborough's use of Kerr in their side this season. And the chairman insists that the Seasiders will not let their captain, who is yet to sign a new deal, leave without a fight. Reynolds said: "Scott is central to our plans for next season and consequently we have already made him an improved offer to renew his contract. "Scott is under 24 and we would therefore be entitled to a transfer fee should he leave us for another club. "Should we need to use a tribunal to establish a transfer fee, then any illegal approaches by another club are likely to count against that club at the tribunal. "My sincere hope is that Scott leads the team out on 13 August, but our pre-season preparations will not be helped by this speculation."

Kerr aiming to leave Scarborough
Scarborough midfielder Scott Kerr says he has had talks with Barnet and Lincoln and aims to join a League side before the start of the season. The 23-year-old former Boro captain has been the target of a number of clubs. Kerr told Scarborough's website: "I've enjoyed playing under Paul Fairclough for England and have discussed a move to Barnet with him. "I've spoken to Keith Alexander at Lincoln but nothing is imminent because the terms haven't been quite right." Kerr added: "I'm keeping my options open but I feel the time is right to move to a League club."

Barnet set to sign keeper Flitney
Conference champions Barnet are to sign former Fulham goalkeeper Ross Flitney. The 21-year-old, who was released by the Premiership side will join the Bees once he has passed a medical. Flitney did not start a senior game for Fulham but gained League experience during a loan spell with Brighton in 2003/04 and at Doncaster last season. Chairman Tony Kleanthous told Barnet's website: "Barnet never enter anything just to make up the numbers. Ross comes to us with a fantastic background."

Chairman sets target for Barnet
Barnet chairman Tony Kleanthous reckons the Bees should be pushing for a place in the League Two play-offs. The Bees won the Conference by 12 points last season and the chairman is hoping the good form continues. "My target is the play-offs," Kleanthous told the Barnet Times. "We never enter any competition just to make up the numbers. "Whether we do it or not is another matter, but I wouldn't want to be involved with a club without ambition."

Bailey considering contract offer
Barnet midfielder Nicky Bailey is still considering a new contract offer from the Conference champions. Bailey was manager Paul Fairclough's first signing at Underhill after joining for £10,000 from Sutton United last summer. The England non-league international started 23 Conference games to help Barnet to the title. Meanwhile, Barnet are continuing talks with prolific striker Giuliano Grazioli about extending his current contract.

Bees could quit Underhill - chief
Barnet could leave Underhill after talks with the council over adding extra seating reached deadlock. The Conference champions need to add 1,000 more seats to comply with Football League regulations. Chairman Tony Kleanthous failed to get backing from Barnet Council to have the work done and said: "We feel there is no point pursuing the current dialogue. "To safeguard the future of Barnet FC we have no option but to explore other avenues, including ground-sharing."

Bailey signs new Barnet contract
Barnet midfielder Nicky Bailey has signed a new contract with the Conference champions. Bailey, 23, was boss Paul Fairclough's first signing when he joined from Sutton United for £10,000 last summer. "I am thrilled that Nicky is on board for the foreseeable future. He is a vital part of the plans," Fairclough told the Barnet website. BBC Sport understands Bailey, who is an England non-league international, has signed a two-year deal with the club

Barnet agree to let Tynan leave
Barnet goalkeeper Scott Tynan has been placed on the transfer list by the Conference champions. Tynan's request for a move has been granted, with the 21-year-old keen to move to a club in the north. Tynan started his career with Wigan Athletic before joining Nottingham Forest and then Barnet last September. He started 27 games to help the Bees to the title but boss Paul Fairclough has signed former Fulham keeper Ross Flitney this summer.

Fairclough signs new Barnet deal
Barnet manager Paul Fairclough has signed a new three-year deal with the Underhill club. Fairclough steered to the Conference title last season and is optimistic for the new campaign in League Two. "There is no point entering the competition if we don't aim to win it. I am not going to say 'let's just try to survive this season.' "We will try to do the best that we can," added the England National Game XI manager.

Bushell avoids punishment from FA
Halifax's Steve Bushell has escaped a Football Association ban following an incident in their game away to Barnet on 9 April. The Town skipper was alleged to have reacted to a section of home fans as he was stretchered off with a broken leg. Bushell was warned about his future conduct but avoided further punishment. Meanwhile, the Shaymen have appointed Ed Baranowski, a sports science and development officer at the University of Huddersfield, to their staff. His services are to be funded by the university, with no cost to the club.

Bees manager looking at trialists
Barnet boss Paul Fairclough is running the rule over strikers Zema Abbey and Mark Rawle and midfielder Ben Bowditch. Abbey, 28, played for four clubs last season after leaving Norwich - and ended the campaign at Torquay. Rawle, 26, has rejected a new contract at Kidderminster, while Bowditch, 21, was released by Colchester. Fairclough, who has named former Bees keeper and manager Gary Phillips as reserve team boss, is also looking at ex-Charlton youngster Adam Gross, 19.

Barnet 1-4 Arsenal
Alexander Hleb marked his Arsenal debut with a goal as The Gunners began the post-Patrick Vieira era with a comfortable win at Underhill. Hleb scored from inside the area in the second minute and new captain Thierry Henry doubled the lead with a penalty after a foul on Jose Antonio Reyes. Dennis Bergkamp curled in a superb third and Mathieu Flamini set up Justin Hoyte to slide home the fourth. Dean Sinclair hit a consolation for the League new boys after the break.

Fairclough to keep England post
England National Game XI boss Paul Fairclough says he is staying in the job despite also being a Football League manager with promoted Barnet. He is adamant he can fill both posts despite no longer being on the Conference scene. "I'm definitely going to continue," Fairclough told BBC Sport. "I have done a lot of work with that team. "I enjoy it and I believe I can. I have got the integrity to carry on doing it, and I have the scouting network too." Fairclough led England to victory in the Four Nations in Ireland this summer, and has more plans on the international semi-professional scene in the pipeline. "I've been pushing us towards a new Under-23 European tournament," he added. "It is a Uefa backed event we have actually got off the ground and it is going to start this season. "It begins in November and has ourselves, Holland, Italy and Belgium in it. "We have decided to start it very small. It will run over 15 months, we will play each other once and there will be a winner on a League basis. "I'm so excited by that. It's taken a lot of hard work to make it happen and I don't not want to do it." Fairclough has been in charge of England since 2003 and believes the presence of an international side is of huge benefit for non-league players, not least for putting them in the shop window. "It works," he said. "Every player who was in our squad that won in Ireland is going to be playing in the Football League next year. "All my players - five of them - have gone up with Barnet, and among others DJ Campbell has gone to Brentford and my captain Scott Kerr has gone to Lincoln."

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