NEW SIGNINGS FOR THE BEES

Head-Coach Dean Brennan has made a number of new signings for National League side Barnet in preparation for the 22/23 season. 

24 year old defensive midfielder Michael Phillips joins after helping Maidstone United to the Vanarama South title last season and was part of the Wealdstone squad who won promotion from the same division in 19/20 season. He played for Wealdstone in their first season in The National League before re-joining Maidstone last summer as he spent the 18/19 campaign at The Gallagher Stadium. He came through the academy ranks of Crystal Palace. 

Moussa Diarra, 32, in a 6ft 5inch centre-back who played for Woking last season. He started his career in England with Horley Town before playing for St Albans City, Hemel Hempstead Town, Hampton & Richmond Borough, Barrow AFC, Dover Athletic and Havant & Waterlooville. 

Another centre back in Danny Collinge has joined from Dover Athletic. He started his career in the academy system of MK Dons and played for the England u17 and u18 teams. The 24 year old has also played for Colchester United and VFB Stuttgart in Germany. Whilst with The Us he played on loan with Maldon & Tiptree and AFC Sudbury. 

Jerome Okimo is another former Wealdstone player to join. The defender aged 34 was with The Stones from 2017 to 2022 and in the 13/14 season. He started his career with Chalfont St Peter and has also played for Wingate & Finchley, Stevenage and Braintree Town. He will be a player/coach at The Hive. 

Goalkeeper Laurie Walker, 32, joins after a very short spell in League Two with Stevenage. He joined The Boro in January from MK Dons where he had been since 2019 but was unable to break into the first team spending time on loan with Hampton & Richmond Borough, Chelmsford City, Oldham Athletic and Aldershot Town. Prior to joining The Dons he played for a number of club including Morecambe, Kettering Town, Brackley Town, Oxford City and Hemel Hempstead Town. 

Centre-Forward Nicke Kabamba, 29, joins from Northampton Town. He was born in Brent and played for a number on non-league sides such in Uxbridge, Hayes and Burnham and Hemel Hempstead Town before an amazing spell with Hampton & Richmond Borough in from 2015 to 2017 saw him net 40 goals in 80 games which saw him move to football league side Portsmouth. He struggled to make the first team at Fratton Park and spent time on loan with a number of clubs before joining Havant & Waterlooville and then Hartlepool United. He also spent a season and a half in the Scottish Premiership with Kilmarnock. 

Winger Harry Pritchard, 29, joins after a one season stay with Eastleigh. He has football league experience with Bradford City and Blackpool. He began his career with Flackwell Heath and Burnham before a spell with Maidenhead United from 2012 to 2018. 

The Bees finished 18th last season and 22nd in the 20/21 season being reprieved from relegation due to the cancellation of the football from Step Two downwards due to the pandemic. 

Their loyal fans will want to finish higher for the 22/23 campaign and will be wishing for a more memorable season! 

They start their pre-season campaign with a trip to Southern League side Bedford Town next Tuesday.  

PRE-SEASON FIXTURES 

Tue 5th July - Bedford Town 

Sat 9th July - Hemel Hempstead Town 

Tue 12th July - Wingate & Finchley

Sat 16th July - PETERBOROUGH UNITED 

Tue 19th July - Dartford 

Sat 23rd July - MK DONS 

Tue 26th July - PORTSMOUTH XI 

Sat 30th July - St Albans City