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Barnet FC are currently based at The Hive Stadium in Harlow
The chairman of a north London football club said he wanted to bring the club back to its home base as he announced plans for a new stadium.
Anthony Cleanthus says he wants to end Barnet FC’s “10-year exile at Harlow” and establish a foothold in Barnet.
The club has been based at The Hive in Edgware since 2013. From 1907 to 2013 it was located at Barnet’s Underhill Stadium.
Aydogan Mehmet of Barnet FC’s Beespod podcast told BBC London that the news was “what all the fans had been hoping for”.
Mr Kleanthus said the new stadium would have a capacity of 6,000 to 8,000 people.
He said the “best location” was “South Underhill” off Barnet Lane, just meters from the club’s original home base, which was demolished to make way for the Ark Pioneer Academy secondary school. said.
“We have always felt that, if possible, Barnet FC should return to the home that gave it its identity,” Kleanthus said in a statement.
He said he wanted “the full support of Barnet FC fans, local residents and the City Council”.
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Aydogan Mehmet, appearing on the Barnet FC podcast, said there were “support issues” when the club moved to The Hive.
“I always have a smile on my face,” Mehmet said.
“The fact that this is happening is amazing. Everyone is in shock.”
Mehmet said when the club moved to The Hive, a former training ground, it “created issues with support” and reduced fan attendance at matches.
“There weren’t that many people coming to the games,” he said. “At one point he felt the situation was really hopeless and the club was on the verge of death.
“It’s like a defibrillator, this news. All the people who stopped coming will come back.”
But Robin Bishop, from the Barnet Society, said while many people wanted “bees to come home”, more information was needed about the project.
“Public concern about climate change, greenbelt and biodiversity loss has increased significantly since Barnet FC left the site,” he said.
“Its return will impact the new Ark Pioneer Academy, children’s play area, Rainbow Community Center and local transport.
“We welcome anyone to think with us about these and other regional issues.”
Barnet FC said its proposals also include two multi-purpose games areas, a recreational zone for pupils, a formal pitch for training and playing purposes at Barnet Playing Fields and a school drop-off zone.
Mr Kleanthus said the club would hire a consultancy firm to begin the pre-application process and work with Barnet Council.