WITHIN hours of the news that Barnet Football Club plans to quit its home of 104 years, a petition has been drawn up to keep them there.

As revealed by the Times-Series earlier Barnet FC chairman Tony Kleanthous broke the news to supporters this afternoon.

“Due to circumstances beyond their control, Barnet FC look set to leave Underhill, their home of 104 years, at the end of this season,” the webite announced.

Instantly, twitter was aflurry and a facebook page was created, entitled Keep Barnet FC at Underhill.

An online petition calling for the club to stay has already attracted 1180 signatures.

One signatory, Richard Carlton-Walker, comments: “The Borough of Barnet must act now before it’s too late and save this real community asset.”

Another, Anton Martin, writes: “Not even a Barnet fan, but this would be a tragic moment in football history if Barnet were kicked out.”

Alex Andreas said: “Keep the club in its rightful home. 104 years and the council is kicking them out like they were never there.”

Leader of the Barnet Labour Group, Councillor Alison Moore has joined in the public outcry stating: “This is a sad day for Barnet – the Club does wonderful work with the local community and with young people from across the Borough, and all this will now be lost.

“For years the Conservative council used Barnet Football Club as a political football – they could have done much more to try and keep the club here rather than lose yet another community asset.”

Leader of Barnet Council, Councillor Richard Cornelius has defended the council against accusations saying: “I just don’t recognise this version of events.”

“We have already offered Mr Kleanthous a 15 year extension to his lease at a cost of £7,000 a year. That would let him run the ground safely at its current capacity.”

 

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