Barnet & Lincoln - staring into the abyss
when the Football League regular season ends this weekend.
Two relegation places remain to be filled in League One, while either Wycombe or Shrewsbury will claim the third and final automatic promotion spot in League Two.
Torquay, Stevenage and Gillingham are battling it out for two play-off places in the same division, but without question the most significant issue is to be found at the bottom of English football's fourth tier.
, their 106-year stay ending on 30 April, and either Lincoln City or Barnet will follow them into the Blue Square Bet Premier next season.
The club that survives will be able to dust itself down over the summer and start again with renewed hope next season, but the consequences for the club that joins the Hatters will be severe.
"It will have a huge impact, in football today there are huge steps between divisions and relegation is really a disaster at any level," Barnet chairman Tony Kleanthous told me.
"The real problem for the team that joins Stockport is that they will be dropping from the Football League into . It is a change of competition, with different rules and governance, and it affects funding."
Barnet last slipped out of the Football League in 2001. Photo: Getty images
The relegated club will instantly lose half of the available Β£180,000-per season funding for its youth development programme. The reduced payment will last for two seasons. After that it drops to nothing.
There is a form of parachute payment. Clubs in League Two currrently receive Β£430,000 every season from the Football League. This includes the money generated from areas such as sponsorship and any television deals. Relegated clubs are given half of this amount - but only for one season.
No wonder that , while media manager John Vickers showed a mastery of understatement when he described survival as "vital".
to Β£7 for adults and Β£3 for concessions and juniors in an attempt to tempt a bumper crowd to Sincil Bank on Saturday as they try to avoid relegation from the League for the first time since 1986.
On paper at least, Lincoln go into the final round of fixtures as the favourites to survive. They are 22nd in the table, one place and two points above Barnet. The Imps have a home game against an Aldershot team and probably starting to think about those two weeks in Ayia Napa with the boys or a fortnight in Florida with the family.
"It is ours to lose," said Lincoln boss Steve Tilson. "Barnet are still trying to catch us up and that is a position they have been in for a while now."
The problem for Tilson is that since his team's 1-1 draw at Macclesfield on 15 March they have . In that period they have scored four goals but conceded a whopping 22.
The slump can, to a large extent, be traced back to the moment target man in that draw at Moss Rose. The talismanic skipper has not played since then and his strike partner Ashley Grimes has scored just once.
It is a far cry from the heady days of late January and early February when Tilson's team won five in a row to climb into the comforting reaches of mid-table. Some supporters started to speak in whispered tones about a push towards the play-offs but Tilson preferred to speak about the need to reach the 50-point barrier. He is still waiting.
"We have to believe we can do it," added Tilson of Saturday's match. "The pressure is there and the players have to deal with it or we will be playing non-league football next season."
Tilson is an experienced manager, having spent seven years at Southend before his . During his time with the Essex club he experienced promotion and relegation, as well as the threat of administration. In contrast, Barnet go into their final game of the campaign against Port Vale with a rookie at the helm.
Six weeks ago Guliano Grazioli's main responsibility on a matchday at Underhill was sorting out the ball boys. .
He spent five years as a player at Barnet between 2003 and 2008 and was the top scorer in the Conference with 29 goals in 2005 as the Bees won promotion back to the Football League after a four-year absence. Grazioli hung up his boots two years ago and had been working as Barnet's community development officer from April 2010 until new manager Martin Allen made him his assistant when he took over in March.
The Bees' battle against survival seemed to be gaining momentum under Mad Dog Allen, who had , but after picking up seven points from three games he controversially jumped ship, .
Grazioli found himself in charge, with five games left to try to haul his team out of the bottom two. He became the fourth person at the helm this season after , and Paul Fairclough, who was put in temporary charge but remained until Allen's arrival.
"Is management the right role for me - I am not sure," said a candidly honest Grazioli as he looked ahead to Saturday's match.
"I thought I would be a number two and learn under somebody for a few years. You could say I have been thrown into the deep end and maybe I would like it to be not quite as deep, but I would not change it for the world. There are hundreds of coaches out there who would happily swap with my position."
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A popular figure at Underhill, Grazioli sounded upbeat and enthusiastic when he discussed his team's prospects this weekend. He would like to be kept on as manager and would like a decision on that fairly soon. After all, his boss in the community department needs to know whether he will be returning to his old job.
The Bees are playing a in their last outing, while . However, Barnet are unbeaten in three home games and have scored in six of their last seven fixtures. They are in much better form than Lincoln and also have a vastly superior goal difference - if Lincoln draw and the Bees win, then the north London side will survive. Barnet also know how to deal with a close shave after their experience last season, when .
"The difference from last year is that this time it is not really in our hands and that is what is most annoying," added Kleanthous, who has been chairman of the Bees since 1994.
Kleanthous claims that he has never known a season like it, pointing to injuries to crucial players such as defender Darren Dennehy and striker Steve Kabba, as well as Allen's decision to walk out when the club finally looked set to climb the table.
"I do not get much sleep at night and have not had much for the last month," added Kleanthous. "The stress levels are so high; it affects every part of your life, things like how you interact with people."
Kleanthous has much to lose if Barnet are relegated. He is and also has .
"I am proud of the fact that clubs vote me to represent them," added Kleanthous. "It has been a great honour and I have been happy to do so, but leaving the positions with the FA and the League is not a problem, it is not my living.
"Whatever the outcome on Saturday we will just have to deal with it - and if that means a long and difficult summer then we will have a long and difficult summer."
Recent history does not offer much encouragement. Torquay were relegated in 2007 and have since returned but Grimsby, Darlington, Chester, Luton Town, Mansfield Town and Wrexham have gone down since then and none have bounced back.
The glory at the end of any season is to be found at the top end; in the title and promotions celebrations.
At Sincil Bank and Underhill on Saturday there will be a compelling drama of an entirely different kind; the battle for survival.
Μύ
Hello, I'm Paul Fletcher and I mainly write about life in the Football League. I have a great enthusiasm for a whole range of sports and love to spread the word about the great game of rugby league. You can also follow me on .
Comment number 1.
At 6th May 2011, John of Burgundy wrote:It might seem like the end of the world, but it isn't. Exeter went down after struggling for three seasons with the traditional last match survival syndrome (indeed were only saved one season by the fact that the two other sides in trouble had to play each other!) Since then bankruptcy (or perilously close) has come and gone, enough money to pay the bills for a couple of seasons with THAT match (or matches) against Man U, the supporters taking over the running of the club and finally promotion back to the league.
Now look at them.
Threatening (OK, not very much) the play offs in League 1! Sometimes a big hit like relegation can turn to your advantage. I will admit that it was hard to face Plymouth fans at the time but what goes around comes around.........
This season has been different in that Man City, sorry, Crawley have bought their way to promotion giving no-one else a chance except for the play-offs. It's unlikely that that will happen next season so both Barnet and Stockport will have a good chance as long as they use the "parachute payments" wisely. It's more than the others get each season.
Good luck to them both but fans please remember. It's not the end of the world, no matter how much it seems so!
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Comment number 2.
At 6th May 2011, Devongone wrote:This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.
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Comment number 3.
At 6th May 2011, Don Patricio wrote:John of Burgundy
Have you got a crystal ball? You seem to have already consigned Barnet to the Blue Square towards the end of your post.
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Comment number 4.
At 6th May 2011, Banterful wrote:It is a horrible situation for any club to find themselves in and most fans probably wouldn't wish it on their nearest rivals. I am just glad that my team, Macclesfield Town, managed to just get clear from it all last weekend.
Twitter: @alexanderbrough
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Comment number 5.
At 6th May 2011, KingOfFM wrote:i live in lincolnshire but im a leicester fan as i was born there and go to watch boston in the BSN where work commitments allow. It was only 8 years ago that lincolnshire had 4 teams in league 2. Scunthorpe, Lincoln, Grimsby and Boston. It was a good time for the area with nobody too far from a league match, 2 home games in the county every saturday and plenty of derby matches to look forward to. Since then only Scunthorpe have done well on the pitch, punching above their weight in the championship. Grimsby are in the BSP while Boston went down as far as the Unibond after the fraud of the past which originally helped them become a league club. As a regular I blame the old board and Steve Evans but I believe we can become a regular BSP side, gates of 1500 are much higher than some teams above us.
So that has left Lincoln as the only side still in league 2. The past couple of seasons really should of been a real wake up call for the Imps. A struggle at the bottom end of the table but very little has been done to try and improve the situation. Its needless to say that after how good things looked in the past that having 3 of the teams drop into non league would be a big blow for the area. Many of us would be a long way from the nearest league side. I know BSP is a much better standard than it was 10 years ago but it just doesnt have the same sort of appeal as the football league. Sadly for Lincoln, I just dont think they would be good enough to challenge for promotion if they dropped out.
As for Barnet they are in an area where there are many top clubs near by and I understand how hard it will be for them if they were to drop out as well. I will feel sorry for which ever side drop out of the league on Saturday.
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Comment number 6.
At 6th May 2011, eddiepoolgunner01 wrote:I support Arsenal but i feel for Barnet as their just next door . We could be in their shoes.
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Comment number 7.
At 6th May 2011, mike wrote:Kleanthous was on the panel that sentenced Luton to a slow death so whats the word here? Karma i think it is?
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Comment number 8.
At 6th May 2011, nlhammer wrote:In response to Mike the Luton fan: Luton were punished for breaking the league rules that every other club signs up to abide by.
IF Barnet go down they will have done so on footballing grounds (thankfully, because of Kleanthous's management of the club, without causing financial meltdown).
Furthermore, IF they go down, I predict they'll come back stronger as they did last time around.
I think the word you're looking for, Mike, is 'bitterness'.
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Comment number 9.
At 6th May 2011, Drooper_ wrote:For years I followed Cheltenham all around the Southern Midland, Southern Premier, what's now the Conference, FA Cup Preliminary Qualifying Rounds, FA Trophy runs, etc, with the dream of one day entering the Football League, and it came true! In my lifetime! To my surprise! There was even a first FA Trophy appearance and win at one of the last games at the Old Wembley. Some people used to condescendingly smile at my innocent passion for my little local team. I'd hear what a great player David Lee had been for Bury in better days, Port Vale might even have been in the 2nd flight, and I even accompanied a Stockport friend of mine to the Victoria Ground to see them overcome Stoke in the playoffs, was it for promotion to the top flight? How ironic that Stoke shall be playing my boyhood team in next week's FA Cup Final and Stockport shall be learning about football yokalism.
And with Lincoln and Barnet in the mix, it seems like old times. I remember when Lincoln came to Whaddon Road when they were making a quick return to the League before, and Cheltenham and Barnet are like Tweedledum and Tweedledee. We go right back!
In the meantime, Cheltenham have had some Cup glory, and won twice at the Millennium in the playoffs for promotion to the L1. We were unlucky to lose to a late Keith Southern goal just a couple of seasons ago on Simon Grayson's Blackpool's promotion to the Championship, but lo and behold, after a sabbatical, we're suddenly back down there with Barnet, and irony of ironies, possibly grateful that Mad Dog Allen quit for Notts County.
Don't get me wrong, I'm anxious for us to retain our status in the League, but as some posters have said, relegation is not the end of the world. Some of my greatest football memories come from midweek trips after work to the likes of Weymouth, Welling, Forest Green...My mate and I ended up watching one game at the old Lawn from the clubhouse with beers in our hands as out of nowhere the snow coated the Cotswolds. They had the orange ball out. White Christams wouldn't have been out of place as we crawled back down Cooper's Hill. For some reason, we played away at Barrow on a Saturday in an FA Trophy replay. After getting back in the car (in Cheltenham Street/Road) my mate immortally said, "At least, we'll never have to come back here again!". We were back again in 3/4 days after losing the toss in the days of endless replays. My mate's future mother-in-law didn't believe we'd made the midweek trek after work. We hadn't had enough time! And
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Comment number 10.
At 6th May 2011, Drooper_ wrote:#9 (continued), a Real McCoy Oldham Athletic/Rochdale fan as good as called me a liar too! Anyway, that was the end of the relationship. It was a matter of days before my mate's belongings were being thrown out the window (he was better off!). and too compound the aggro, we lost to one of those Derby County European Cup penalty decisions where the muddied ball print was implanted on Chris Burn's (who took it out on the changing rooms, if reports are to be believed) chest. Yet more irony, as Chrissy was sometimes a fringe player, but within a season or 2, he was playing for Portsmouth in an FA Cup Semi Final against Liverpool and on their way to Wembley. But it wasn't to be, and I don't know what happened to him after that.
It took Steve Cotterill to deliver the Holy Grail. They don't come around too often, and the non-league is much more professional these days. It's a big ask to get back in, but that's why they initially do well, I think.
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Comment number 11.
At 6th May 2011, mike wrote:If your club had been releagted out of the league because of the actions of a past board of directors (or crooks) then i think you,d be a bit bitter as well mate.
Having Kleanthous on the panel was a bit like asking turkeys to vote for Xmas really wasnt it?
I wouldnt wish relegation out of the league on any fan as it really does feel like being banished into the wilderness,im not entirely sure wether a club with relatively small support in an area with a high density of clubs
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Comment number 12.
At 6th May 2011, Paul Fletcher wrote:Now then,
Thanks for your thoughts so far.
John of Burgundy - good positive spin there, doubly so for Lincoln fans since you seem to have relegated the Bees. However, recent history does seem to show that bouncing back is very difficult.
d0ntask - yep, Lincoln spent most of the last decade up the other end of the league, but there are no guarantees and one bad season can do a lot of damage.
Drooper - you seem to have run out of room there, ending your article with 'And...' Perhaps your lunch break finished?
Any thoughts on who will go down? Most people I know seem to think Barnet but that is by no means certain. Should be nervy.
By the way, my plan for Saturday is to attend QPR v Leeds and then hotfoot across London to catch as much as possible of the Barnet v Vale game.
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Comment number 13.
At 6th May 2011, bremmers the bantam wrote:As a Bradford fan I'm just glad we're not in the same position. We would of almost certainly folded if we'd gone down. Still cant believe Barnet are in this position though, a few months ago they came to City and gave us a footballing masterclass.
All the best to both teams though. Its shame for the Barnet & Lincoln fans but quite exciting for the rest.
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Comment number 14.
At 6th May 2011, Drooper_ wrote:#12, my computer's playing up, Paul!
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Comment number 15.
At 6th May 2011, BlueRoo wrote:For some reason, I have soft spot for Lincoln. Maybe its the city and the county which are quite picturesque. Nothing against Barnet, but North London is stuffed full of league teams.
Relegation is horrible. With a family connection to Stockport I am gutted for them, so whoever it is it won't be nice.
Come on Lincoln!
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Comment number 16.
At 6th May 2011, diddyt01 wrote:Great blog- and post 9, Drooper, what a great story, gives a real insight to what football should be about!! Winds me up when you see a grown men upset because Arsenal haven't won the League Cup this year, try watching football on a hill in the snow!!
Following Norwich, i've had my fair share of ups and downs in the last couple of years, but doubt that can compare to fans of Grimsby, Luton etc
As many have said, relegation isn't the end of the world as the canaries have found out. Best of luck to all teams fighting off relegation battles tomorrow, and if they do go down, lets hope the fans keep turning up! I for one really enjoyed the trips to the likes of Leyton Orient, Exeter and Hartlepool last season....
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Comment number 17.
At 6th May 2011, Bertie Button wrote:A great article.
I'm a CITY fan but spent a lot of my youth watching Bury. In those days you could switch ends at half time!! (how times have changed). Some great players started at Bury (Colin Bell, Lee Dixon played there). A great club who will play their football in Division 1 next year (well done Alan Knill).
Grass roots football, Gigg Lane, Spotland, Burden Park (Neil Whatmore, Frank Worthington) may the small clubs keep on fighting.
I did fufill a boyhood dream and play on the Gigg Lane Wembley for Elton Fold in the Apollo Cup, we won 1-0, lovely Jubbly.
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Comment number 18.
At 7th May 2011, dickjackarmy wrote:This end of the season stuff is what makes football so special. Back in 2003 I was at the Vetch Field watching the Swans beat Hull to stay in the Football League and condemn Exeter to relegation. Now, I was at Preston in 1981 when we won promotion to the then Division One and witnessed a few glory days down the years, but, nothing compares to the atmosphere, the nerves, the tension and the sheer jubilation of that day and, I don't think ever will. And now look at us - on the brink of a possible promotion to the Premier League !!! For all you Barnet and Lincoln fans, it may sound perverse, but try and enjoy the day as it could be the greatest footballing day of your life. Whoever fails I wish you all the best in regaining your League status as I hate to see established teams relegated - sorry AFC Wimbledon but I hope Luton do the business over you.
Don't you just love football ? !
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Comment number 19.
At 7th May 2011, armchairpundit1 wrote:Paul, excellent article.
Mike, ref being punished for the sins of previous boards Barnet fans too have been there in spades - remember Stan Flashman? (We used to have the only crowds of '1500' that numbered closer to 3000 and other odd maths associated with the club!) Barnet were heavily punished for his actions that left us on the brink of extinction, players wages were paid via donation buckets passed at the ground and the league punished the club and not the individual. I feel for Luton as my father is a life long supporter and on more than one occassion we have lamented the fairness of how punishments are handed out. As for the turkey comment, I have to say there is a clear conflict of interest with Tony K's involvement and the football league should have addressed this.
As for today...who knows? We beat Crewe folling their demolition of Cheltenham, we are in the best form of the season and provided that the players think correctly under pressure, (unlike the last home game against Oxford when we began to panic at 2-1up), we can win this pm. All we need to do then is hope Aldershot do us a huge favour - on paper at least a Lincoln -18 GD since Mar should mean if Aldershot they get their noses in front they should stay there. Lets hope we do not have another 3-2 home defeat to Torquay scenario!
Come on you Bees....
As ever today is going to be a
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Comment number 20.
At 7th May 2011, robert wrote:Once again, the comments are rather more interesting than the original article.
I'm a Blackpool fan and have been for 43 years. After some initial good seasons in the late 60s and early 70s I had to endure 29 years in the wilderness of the lower leagues, including on re-election. You can bounce back, and we famously have done so in spectacular fashion (it's only ten years since we won the L2 play off final against Orient), and I remember that Keith Southern strike at Whaddon Road as I fell over the seat in front celebrating!.
I wouldn't swap my experience for anything though, because when the good times do come you appreciate them far more. I feel pity for those who follow the likes of Chelsea and Arsenal from the pub ; they have no idea of the emotional rollercoaster some of us go on. My team may get relegated in the next fortnight or so, but I will feel nothing but pride, given what they have done and how they have acquitted themselves.
As to the two sides on the brink today - well, they've both been here before, haven't they? Barnet seems a complete mess, looking in from the outside, but they are in better form. I have a feeling that neither of them will win today and that Lincoln will hang on.
Next season will be tough in L2 ; there are two very accomplished sides coming up, one of which will be relatively well supported, and the other of which will have money. I hope Crawley fall quickly back into oblivion personally, but very much doubt they will. And whoever wins the play off will be a strong side next season. You fear for the Macclesfields and Burtons of the Division next year.
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Comment number 21.
At 7th May 2011, Paul Fletcher wrote:Morning all.
I'm writing this from Loftus Road, where I'm watching QPR and Leeds warm-up ahead of their match.
But I'll then be heading across London as fast as possible to take in Barnet v Port Vale.
I'm assuming fans of Barnet and Port Vale did not sleep too well last night?
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Comment number 22.
At 7th May 2011, RossForsyth wrote:This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.
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Comment number 23.
At 7th May 2011, Mark wrote:I'm a Torquay fan and feel for both sets of fans as they face the apparent abyss. The Blue Square is very difficult to get out of and I'm glad we did after 2 years and are now re-establishing ourselves as Football League side. I was there 10 years ago when Torquay beat Barnet on the last day of the season (the game in which the losing side would be relegated). The Barnet fans, on the whole, were great that day and for that reason alone I'm rooting for them to survive.
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Comment number 24.
At 7th May 2011, dussalaamj wrote:Having gone to the old Lincoln School I am feeling rather sad, but not surprised. I remember a time when Lincoln was for ever selling any decent players.
Its probably time for the imps to accept the inevitable and years of underfunding and poor team choices have ensured that they are heading for relative oblivion. Its sad though and I remember standing on the terraces for the one and only time I went to watch them. I am afraid having previously lived in Manchester I supported United and for some reason Forest. Its sad all the same. Hello to the Kapplers who took me there.
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Comment number 25.
At 7th May 2011, armchairpundit1 wrote:What an afternoon, the great escape is complete! The Army win at Twickenham, Aldershot do us a huge favour and Barnet put their fans through the full range of emotions once again. Commiserations to Lincoln fans and the very best to you for an immediate return to the FL next year.
All I need now is for my wife to give birth and the weekend is complete!
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Comment number 26.
At 7th May 2011, howarddo the twist wrote:How do you like them apples!!!
An amazing result for Barnet. I am so sorry for Lincoln and I do wish you well for next season.
I am so pleased for Barnet. For Grazioli and for the amazing Tony K. he has been a saint for out club over the last 15 years. He has made us a community and for that I am truely grateful.
Well done Barnet. Well done Izale Mcleod. Congrats Grazioli and Tony K. Lets not have this happen next season
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Comment number 27.
At 7th May 2011, MattBing90 wrote:Lincoln showed half-way through this season that they can produce good performances (they were one of the most on-form teams at the time as they climbed up to mid-table) but it's ever since Facey got injured that they've been on awful form.
Hopefully they can hold onto a lot of their big big players and keep Tilson in charge at the club. He's a mananger who has proved he can deal with relegation and bounce back well so maybe he'll bring in a few new players and help them get promotion back to the football league, hopefully within 2 seasons.
Lincolns a good club, a great city (I was born and raised there), and has a loyal fanbase so i hope they're back sooner rather than later.
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Comment number 28.
At 7th May 2011, dussalaamj wrote:RIP THE IMPS
Simon
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Comment number 29.
At 8th May 2011, Cedric wrote:Paul - I love it when you dedicate your time to the lesser clubs. Anyone can write about the Manchester Uniteds and Arsenals of this world but this thread has revealed football's true fans. I support a small club, and have seen the ups and downs - 6 promotions and 4 relegations in my 45 years following them (and I wonder if anyone can use that small clue to work out who they are).
What do those who follow the big teams like Chelsea know of real drama? Terry missing the penalty that would have won the European Cup? Pah, it has nothing on avoiding relegation in the last game of the season!
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