As many of you are aware, last season it was my job to
write up the player biographies on the opposing teams visiting Underhill, for
the matchday programme.
Although I received copy from other contributors, which
in a lot of cases meant just sub-editing, there was also a lot of researching
involved, particularly when information was out-of-date or incorrect.
I came across a number of former Bees while producing the
copy, which brought back a lot of memories and was interesting to see how (in
some cases, forgotten) players were getting on. I thought I’d include all of
these in a ‘where are they now?’ two-part special.
A little bit difficult to compile, particularly
considering the numbers (i.e. six goal keepers and three midfielders), part one
includes my XI Former Bees. Part two will be in the next couple of days and
will include everyone else.
Goalkeeper
LEE
HARRISON (Wycombe Wanderers)
Lee joined Wanderers in August as goalkeeping coach, but
also registered as a player. The 41-year-old has over 400 appearances during
his professional career which began in 1990. A fans’ favourite at Underhill,
Lee reached the landmark figure of 300 appearances during his two spells with
the Bees; the first (1996-2003) saw him win Player of the Season on three
successive occasions). While at Newport, Lee was assistant manager before being
put in caretaker charge, albeit for a single game.
Where
are they now? Wycombe
Defence
ABU
OGOGO (Dagenham & Redbridge)
Right-back Abu is another former Arsenal trainee, who
joined The Daggers in July 2009 following his release by the North London club.
Having signed his first professional contract in September 2007, Abu was unable
to make any first team appearances for the Gunners, instead joining Nottingham
Forest and then Barnet on loan. Abu played in the League Two play-off final in
2009/10 and continued to impress playing in League One. The 23-year-old has since
proved his versatility, also playing as a central midfielder. He’s now the club
captain and signed a new contract last summer.
Where
are they now? Dagenham & Redbridge
MICHAEL
HECTOR (Cheltenham Town)
Tall centre back Michael joins the Robins on loan from
Reading. He’ll be familiar to the Underhill crowd, having made his Football
League debut in November 2011 whilst on loan at Barnet. During his time with
the Bees, Michael was named ‘Young Player of the Year’. At the beginning of
this season the 22-year-old, who can also play in the centre of midfield,
joined Shrewsbury on loan, and after being recalled by the Royals, joined
Aldershot in November. He arrived to Whaddon Road for an initial month, before having
the loan extended until the end of the season.
Where
are they now? Returned to Reading after Cheltenham lost in
play-off semis
ANTHONY
CHARLES (Northampton Town)
31-year-old defender Anthony began his professional
career with Crewe Alexandra, never playing a game and joining Hyde on loan for
experience. After being released and signing for Non-League Hayes, he moved to
Aldershot where the club won the Ryman League Premier Division title. Anthony
also enjoyed promotion success with Barnet in 2004/05 and enjoyed a second
spell with Aldershot two years later having previously been on loan, while with
the Bees. Having made over 150 appearances for Aldershot, Anthony was awarded
with the captain’s armband, but injury kept him out toward the end of the
2010/11 season and consequently he was not offered a new contract. He signed
for the Cobblers in March.
Where
are they now? Without a club, following release from
Plymouth (the club he joined in January) in May
GRANT
BASEY (Wycombe Wanderers)
Where
are they now? Without a club, following release from
Wycombe in May
Midfield
BEN
STREVENS (Dagenham & Redbridge)
Ben is in his second spell with The Daggers, having
previously been at the club in 2006. He’s familiar with the Underhill slope and
the Barnet faithful as it was with the Bees that Ben began his career. Scoring
45 goals in his time with the Black and Amber, he was also a member of the
squad that won promotion to the Football League in 2005. The 32-year-old joined
Crawley in 2006, before suffering a fractured cheekbone. In his first spell at
Victoria Road, forward Ben helped the side win promotion from the Conference
before moving on to Brentford. He has also enjoyed success with Wycombe, who achieved
promotion to League One in 2010/11, before being relegated the following
campaign. Ben rejoined The Daggers in January from League leaders Gillingham.
Where
are they now? Without a club, following release from the
Daggers in May
RYAN
BURGE (Port Vale)
Midfielder Ryan signed a
two-year deal with Vale in the summer of 2011, joining from Hyde. Prior to that
he played for Jerez Industrial, the team partnered with Glenn Hoddle’s academy.
Beginning his career with Birmingham, 24-year-old Ryan made a solitary
appearance for Barnet, before being struck down with appendicitis. He has also
played in Japan.
Where
are they now? Without a club, left Port Vale in April
STUART
LEWIS (Wycombe Wanderers)
Stuart initially arrived to Adams Park, on loan from
Dagenham & Redbridge, but he made the move permanent in January 2011 after
an impressive couple of months. The 25-year-old midfielder began his career
with Spurs, but moved to Barnet in search of first team football. Limited
opportunities encouraged a switch to Stevenage, before joining Gillingham.
Stewart was an integral member of the squad which won promotion in the 2010/11
campaign.
Where
are they now? Wycombe
SAM
DEERING (Cheltenham Town)
Starting his career as a youth at both Chelsea and
Charlton Athletic, Sam then linked up with the Oxford United youth set-up. He
made his debut against Weymouth, having been promoted to the first team in
2008. Although Sam was sent on loan to Newport for a month, he soon became an
integral part of the Us squad that won promotion to the Football League in
2009/10. He’s no stranger to the Underhill slope, having joined Barnet on loan
before signing on permanent terms, spending all of last season with the Bees.
The 22-year-old midfielder signed for Cheltenham last summer on a two-year
contract.
Where
are they now? Cheltenham
Strikers
JACK
MIDSON (AFC Wimbledon)
Striker Jack embarked on his football career with
Stevenage Borough and spent a season with Dagenham & Redbridge before establishing
himself at Bishop’s Stortford – he appeared 84 times in three seasons. Following
a successful spell at Histon, Jack signed for Oxford United in May 2009 and
featured regularly as Oxford gained promotion to the Football League. After
spending time on loan at Southend and Barnet, the 29-year-old signed for the
Dons in June 2011. He was last season’s joint top scorer in League Two with 18
goals.
Where
are they now? AFC Wimbledon
JOHN
O'FLYNN (Exeter City)
28-year-old striker John started out as a youngster at
Peterborough before joining hometown club Cork City. In six years he racked up 68
goals in 138 appearances, winning the League of Ireland and FAI Cup; as well as
becoming a fans’ favourite. From Cork he then signed for Barnet where he spent
two seasons and again was amongst the goals. Injuries prevented John from
playing as much as he’d have liked last season but fit again he hopes to pick
up from where he left off.
Where
are they now? Exeter
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