Mark Stimson has announced that the close season for Barnet players ends in less than three weeks time ... he has called an earlier than usual return to training date of Thursday, June 24.

The new manager, tasked with building a new squad with 15 players released, says that new signings and trialists will be in place by then.

Stimson has already had talks with one of the "released" players, 27-year-old top scorer John O'Flynn. The striker - 34 goals in 70 starts and seven substitute appearances since joining the Bees from Cork City in September 2008 - turned down a six-figure move to Shrewsbury Town last season and was widely expected to leave at the end of his contract this month.

Dennis Signy