Members of the campaign to bring Barnet FC back into the borough have described the sale of Underhill as “disappointing” – but not a surprise.

The club yesterday confirmed that the site, where the Bees played for 106 years before leaving in 2013, has been sold to the Education Funding Agency, with plans underway for a new school.

Barnet FC moved to The Hive, in Camrose Avenue, Edgware, in 2013.

In a statement, club chairman Anthony Kleanthous said Barnet would always be its "true and traditional" home, but could not see the club returning “in either the short or medium term".

Reacting to the news, campaigner Oliver Deed said: "Whilst it is disappointing to see Underhill sold, it comes as no surprise. Tony Kleanthous has long made his intention to sell the site clear, so this announcement has been a long time coming.

“The Back 2 Barnet campaign will continue to work with the local community, the football club and Barnet Council towards the goal of bringing league football back to Barnet.

“We will also look to work with the Education Funding Agency and Ark Pioneer Academy in a constructive manner to ensure that the heritage of Underhill Stadium, at which Barnet FC played for 106 years, is recognised in the planning application they submit to Barnet Council."

Fans took to social media to react to the announcement.

Alan Alger posted on Twitter: “I’ve always been critical of the move away from Underhill. But you cannot argue with Tony Kleanthous statement on the Barnet FC website.”

Lloyd Child said: “Sad that @BarnetFC have sold Underhilll, but 20 years of looking for suitable Barnet based sites proved fruitless. Time 4 new adventures”.

John Carpenter said: “Feel sad today for the Barnet fans I know who only followed the club to The Hive in the hope that the move would only be temporary #barnetfc."

Leader of Barnet Council Councillor Richard Cornelius said: “The sale of the Underhill site is a deal between the owners of Barnet Football Club stadium and the Education Funding Agency, who are proposing to use the site to provide a new Free School, subject to planning consent.

"I hope that the money realised from the sale will go back into Barnet FC to enhance the club's future.”