Two members of the Barnet Conference winning squad of 2005 again tasted the joy of promotion from the Conference today when Oxford United won the Blue Square Premier play-off against York city at Wembley, winning 2-1.
Simon Clist and Damien Batt were in the Oxford United side that won promotion back to League Two after being relegated to the Conference in 2006. Batt joined Barnet in September 2004 having been released by Norwich City. He made 37 league appearances for the Bees scoring 1 goal, in the 7-1 home win over Farnborough.
Clist joined Barnet from Bristol City in January 2004 and was one of Martin Allen’s last signings for the club. A midfield player for City, Paul Fairclough converted him to a left back with great success and he was a regular fixture in the club’s Conference success of 2005 becoming a great favourite with the fans. Clist made 68 league appearances for the club, scoring once, at Morecambe, before being rather surprisingly released at the end of the 2005/06 season, along with Batt.
Barnet Mad offers Simon and Damien congratulations on being promoted from the Conference for a second time and looks forward to seeing both players at Underhill next season.