Barnet Back in the EFL: Recruitment Plans and Home-Ground Question for 2025–26

Barnet are back in the big time! After clinching promotion from the National League, the Bees are set to return to League Two for the 2025–26 season. The move ends a seven-year spell outside the English Football League. With the buzz of celebration still fresh, the club faces two major priorities.

They must build a squad capable of competing. The promotion came from consistent form, strong squad cohesion, and manager Dean Brennan’s tactical clarity.

However, League Two presents a different test. It requires more depth, smarter signings, and better infrastructure that meets EFL standards. No club survives in the fourth tier using momentum alone.

Recruitment Strategy Underway

Dean Brennan has clarified that survival isn’t the aim; stability and progression are. To achieve that, Barnet are preparing for a busy summer transfer window focused on building balance across the squad.

• Three core positions are on the radar: a commanding centre-back, a goal-scoring forward with EFL experience, and a midfield engine capable of controlling possession.
  
  
• We expect retained players like Zak Brunt and Danny Collinge to form the team’s core. Both were standout performers during the promotion campaign and are considered central to Brennan’s system.
  
  
• Youth integrationis also part of the plan. Brennan has praised the development of academy players and will likely promote several graduates to provide bench depth and long-term options.
  
  
• Squad trimming is expected. Players who struggled for minutes or impact will be moved on to free up wages and registration slots. Brennan wants every player to contribute, not just make up the numbers.
  
  

Punters already eyeing next season will find early odds on betting exchange platforms, where Barnet are being priced conservatively — neither relegation favourites nor promotion hopefuls. These early markets often reflect more than fan optimism; they mirror expectations across the league. Barnet’s transition back to the EFL is closely followed on the Non-League Football Paper homepage, with daily updates on transfer whispers and stadium developments.

Learning from the Past

Barnet’s last EFL spell ended in relegation after the 2017–18 season. That period was marked by poor recruitment, injuries, and managerial instability. This time, the approach appears far more calculated. Club ownership has backed Brennan’s vision and ensured early planning across all departments.

Reports from Sky Sports and The Athletic suggest Barnet are being viewed as one of the more organised promoted clubs. That respect must now be converted into results.

What Lies Ahead

• Retained list and player departures
  
  
• First wave of summer signings
  
  
• Stadium decision and facility upgrades
  
  
• Fixture release and pre-season planning
  
  

Barnet’s hard-fought return offers a chance to reset, rebuild, and reestablish themselves in the Football League — this time with a clear identity and a manager trusted to carry it forward.