Work begins this week on the erection of Barnet FCs new brighter Continental-style floodlights ... the last significant improvement planned for Underhill as part of the £2 million ground improvements since rejoining the Football League four seasons ago.

The work will provide twice as bright light compared to the old floodlights via four new corner installations. The change was necessary because of alterations to the Football League regulations introduced last season.

An added benefit will be improving the site lines on the East Terrace to provide a less obstructive view and there will be less light spill in surrounding areas.

The League criteria also includes providing new and bigger changing rooms in the next five years - work that cannot be carried out by the club easily without demolishing and rebuilding the the existing main stand.

The work on the new lights is scheduled for completion before the next game at Underhill - the annual pre-season friendly against Premiership Arsenal on Saturday, July 17.

The old lights, which were installed prior to the 1965 season, were used for the first midweek game - a 3-0 win against Ramsgate Athletic on August 24 in front of a crowd of 2,220.The first "fairly primitive" lights at Underhill were used in September 1962 against Borehamwood in a reepresentative match.

Dennis Signy