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Above...Barnet at Underhill in 1923/24. In the background the Union flag flies over a Barnet Press ad and the Old Red Lion is on its own on the right.
UNDERHILL. Early press reports described it as a farm (some visiting supporters still do) and it was in use as early as 1889 by CLIFFORDS F C.
BARNET AVENUE F C also had a designated pitch there until 1901, when they moved onto Queens Road following the demise of BARNET F C.(see below for reason)
Underhill was then taken over by the newly formed ALSTON WORKS FC.
In 1904 BARNET AVENUE changed their name to BARNET F C following the closure of the original club by the F A and Alston Works became BARNET ALSTON F C.
In 1908 Underhill had to be drained and Barnet Alston had to play home games at Queens Road and Finchley.
In 1912 the two clubs (Barnet and Barnet Alston) merged to form BARNET AND ALSTON FC (I hope you are getting this all down), and elected to play at Underhill although Queens Road lived on as a ground.
BARNET AVENUE F C
The History of Finchley F C indicates that Avenue were formed in 1883 although a press report of 1903 would suggest 1890/91. In 1899 they won the Middlesex Junior Cup and the North Middlesex League in 1903/04. They were runners up the following season.
In 1905/06 they joined the London League Second Division. In 1907/08 they affiliated to the AFA and won the Chiswick League. As members of the AFA they could not enter any F A competitions. Early reports of season 1908/09 refer to a `firing of the pavillion` at Queens Road.
THE ORIGINAL BARNET F C
Barnet F C were formed in 1881 as WOODVILLE F C playing at that road in New Barnet.
Amended name in 1882 as WOODVILLE(Barnet)F C moving to Cromer Road and then Cook`s Farm, Victoria Road (1885?).
Became NEW BARNET F C 1885-1888 and BARNET F C 1888, moving to Queens Road, High Barnet in 1889.
A link of five players to all three club names has been found.
Why did they disband ? The club Jubillee book of 1948 tactfully says `misfortune` overtook the club. In fact the F A in 1899/1900 declared several of their players (and of Barking F C) to be professional after they were found to been receiving money for playing. Also there were suggestions that some first team members were using reserve team players names. The Barnet Press had to apologise after suggesting that gentlemen of individual integrity lose it when combined as a football club commitee.
ALSTON WORKS, BARNET ALSTON
Formed in 1901 by the Dental Manufacturing Company, changing to BARNET ALSTON in 1904. A purpose built ground in Totteridge Lane (Then known as Barnet Lane) in 1904 was in fact little used by the football section. Finchley complained that as soon as they found a good player, he was lost to the works club as the employment in the factory often came with the move!
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Links:
Official club site
supporters club
Barnet-mad
Your Lycos Webshop
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