Two players who were part of the Bees’ Conference winning side of 2004/05 have changed clubs recently. Lee Roache who was released by the club in 2006 has moved from Bath City to Zamaretto League, Hemel Hempstead Town. Roache has played for Cambridge City and Histon as well since leaving Underhill where he scored 9 goals in 44 appearances for Barnet. His last goal for the Bees was at Boston United where he came on as a substitute in a 2-1 defeat. During the Conference winning season, he was something of a ‘super-sub’, notably scoring the winning goals against Leigh RMI and Scarborough. He also scored in the 4-2 Carling Cup win at Bristol City in 2005/06.
Joining Roache at Hemel, is another former Barnet player, Paolo Vernazza who played for the Bees in season 2005/06. Vernazza joined the Bees in November 2005 from Rotherham, initially on loan, and the former Arsenal player made 17 league appearnces for Barnet without scoring before being released at the end of the season. Possibly, his best moment for Barnet was his sublime pass for the opening Barnet goal at Rushden & Diamonds on the last day of the season that was met by a superb Liam Hatch volley that settled the Bees’ nerves and helped keep the Bees in League Two. Vernazza has been playing for Blue Square Premier club, Grays, who were relegated this week. Another member of the Bees’ Conference winning side is at Grays; Richard Graham.
Talking of Hemel, former Barnet legend, Gary Phillips has lost his job as manager of the Tudors and as a new assistant manager has been announced as well, it would appear that another former Bee, Tommy Black has lost his job at Vauxhall Road too. Danny Hart was on loan there until recently as well.
The other member of the Conference championship winning squad on the move is Warren McBean who made 9 first team appearances for the Bees, including 4 appearances as a substitute in the Conference. McBean has been playing for Blue Square South club, Bromley, alongside another ex Bee, Ashley Carew and one time Barnet trialist, Ryan Hall. McBean has gone on loan to rival Blue Square South club, Chelmsford City.
Meanwhile, another former Barnet player, Anthony Thomas, who has been on loan at Hendon, has returned to Zamaretto Premier Division leaders, Farnborough. Thomas joined Barnet from Hemel Hempstead Town, in 2007 and scored 4 goals in 26 league appearances for the Bees before being released in the summer of 2008. His best moment for the Bees was his goal at Dagenham & Redbridge when his fiercely hit free kick burst the back of the net!!