Dean Brennan has said that the “anger and frustration” of his touchline ban fuelled the emotion of his celebrations after Barnet’s 1-0 win over Cambridge United.
The Barnet boss was charged by the FA in February for verbally abusing female referee Kirsty Dowle in the Bees’ defeat to Shewsbury on September 6.
The 45-year-old denied the charge at a hearing, but an independent commission found contrasting evidence and issued the nine-game suspension as well as a £2,000 fine and a mandatory education course.
“I suppose all the anger and frustration have all come out in those celebrations because I felt suppressed for the last nine games really,” Brennan told the club website after the victory.
“To be given a nine-game ban for what I said, I don’t think it’s justice whatsoever. It is what it is, and if the establishment and everything are against us, that is what it is. We’ll keep fighting; we’ll keep stepping forwards. We’re a small club with a big heart. I’ve said that all along since I’ve come here.”
Danny Collinge’s 49th-minute header was ultimately the difference between the two sides on the day as the Bees put themselves well amongst the conversation for a play-off place with 60 points.
“We knew the detail in these games was going to be small. Right on half-time, we got a goal from a corner. I thought we were dangerous on set pieces, and it was a great run and finish by Danny,” said the Barnet manager.
“It was a nice way to win a football match from a coaching point of view. When everything goes your way, you’re really proud of that. Collectively, we’ve come up with those corners, and we’ve managed to score from a couple. It’s nice.”
Barnet host League Two leaders Bromley on Good Friday as Andy Woodman’s team travels from south London to north in a clash that promises to have an edge to it with both sides looking to stake their claim for the chance for promotion.
Speaking on Woodman’s capacity as a manager, Brennan said: “I think Woody has been manager of the season. I’ve come up against him so many times and his teams. They are athletic; they’re dynamic. They showed their intentions last summer with the players that they signed.
“They showed their intentions and they showed where they wanted to be. Their football club backed their manager, and to be fair, I’ve learnt a lot this season (from Bromley). I’ve learnt that with good physical contacts, being dynamic, and good fitness levels like Bromley has, you can get yourself to the top of the division.
“It’ll be another tight game. I’m under no illusions that it’ll be extremely tight. For me, it’s a fifty-fifty game.”
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