Dean Brennan described the feeling as "amazing" after Barnet comprehensively wrapped up the National League title with a 4-0 battering of Aldershot Town.
A first-half Mark Shelton brace coupled with a second-half double from top scorer Callum Stead saw the Bees secure promotion back to the English Football League with a game to spare in front of their home fans on Saturday.
“It’s an amazing feeling. The sacrifices everybody’s made since the first day of pre-season to right now – this is what it’s all about,” said an elated Brennan after lifting the National League trophy.
“When I’m having a go at them, and they’re not fully going to the line and I’m screaming and shouting at the players, they should just be proud of themselves. I think we should all be proud.
“Our supporters, our football club. My dream was to take Barnet back into the EFL. We’ve done that, but we can’t rest on our laurels now. We’ve got to enjoy this weekend, and then we’ve got to step on again with another summer of key recruitment.”
Having sealed a return to the fourth tier of English football for the first time since 2018, Brennan was thrilled by the prospect of what the future might hold for Barnet.
He told the club website: “We were outstanding today. We were outstanding at Sutton at the weekend. We had a few jitters in a couple of the other games. All season, to win 30 games, having 20 clean sheets, to score 90-odd goals, and to be plus 50 (in goal difference). All that’s an unbelievable achievement after 45 games."
And the Bees boss hopes his side can achieve their points target with a win at already-relegated AFC Fylde on the last day of the season this weekend.
“If we can get to 102 (points), that would be even better. That would be our target, to go to Fylde and win next week," he added.
"But it’s all about enjoying today. We set them targets a long time ago, so it’s all about enjoying today. I’ll enjoy it for a few days, I think.
“Humbleness is the biggest thing for us. Everyone’s just as important as I am. We’re all as important as each other. How big a role you play or how small a role you play – it’s so important.
"It’s all of the same importance to me. Without togetherness, you can’t have success, and we’ve created that here.
“This is just a little taste of success. We know how difficult it is going into the next division. We aren’t stupid, but we aren’t gonna rest on our laurels here. We’re gonna make sure we kick on. For everybody, it’s just about enjoying it now.”
Barnet can reach their much-desired 100-point total on Monday with a point over AFC Fylde but may not be at their sharpest after celebrations through the week.
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