1960-5

Success in the Athenian league continued in the early sixties. Third in 1960-1 was followed by two runners-up positions (1961-2 and 1962-3) and two championship positions in the Athenian Premier Division (1963-4 and 1964-5).

On 9th January 1965 Barnet reached the third round proper of the FA Cup meeting Preston North End (1964 FA Cup runners-up) at Underhill. Preston were 2-0 up in 10 minutes but were held to half time. In the second half Barnet, urged by 10,500 spectators, brought the game back to 2-2, before an own goal 2 minutes from time denied a well deserved replay.

Athenian League

Champions: 1931-2, 1932-3, 1946-7, 1947-8, 1963-4, 1964-5

Runners-up: 1912-3, 1929-30, 1937-8, 1959-60, 1961-2, 1962-3

In 1965 Barnet became a professional team joining the Southern League First Division ending the clubs 52-year association with the Athenian League.

1965-9

In 1965-6 Barnet turned semi-professional. Before the season commenced, manager Dexter Adams made two astute signings. He persuaded Les Eason, then 20 years of age, to join from Finchley and then acquired amateur international Barry King from Hitchin, who became the first player to sign professional forms for the club. Jeff Voyce, Dennis Roach, Terry Casey and Reg Finch soon followed. The previous season's squad signed but preferred to retain their amateur status. The first game finished in Barnet's favour, a 10-1 win over Hinckley Athletic. Les Eason went on to score 31 goals in his first season as the club became champions of the Southern League Division I.

Promoted to the Southern League Premier for 1966-7 the club ended up 5th but had reached the Southern League Cup final only to lose to Guildford City over two legs.

In 1969-70 the FA Challenge Trophy was introduced and Barnet reached the semi-final before losing to Macclesfield 0-1 at Stoke. The club reached the third round of the FA Cup following season but lost 1-0 to Colchester, who went on to knock out Leeds in the next round.

1970s

The 1971-2 season proved one of the most successful. Using just 15 players for 80 competitive matches Barnet reached Wembley in the FA Challenge Trophy, losing 3-0 to Stafford Rangers and reached the final of the Southern League Cup, drawing 2-2 with Hereford on aggregate. The replay, played next season, was a 2-2 draw but Barnet went on to win 7-6 on penalties.

In 1972-3 Barnet put up a tremendous fight against Queens Park Rangers in the third round of the FA Cup. The match at Loftus Road ended 0-0 and the replay at Underhill drew in excess of 11,000 spectators. Rangers eventually won 3-0.

April 1974 the club suffered a tremendous blow by the death of its President, Mr George Sanderson, a man respected throughout the football world, and connected with the club since 1924.

In 1975 Barnet were relegated back to the Southern League Division I South but two years later they won the championship and returned to the Southern League Premier. It was during this period that many famous names played for the club including Jimmy Greaves, Marvin Hinton, Bob McNab, Terry Mancini and John Fairbrother. Jimmy Greaves, although playing in midfield, still ended the season leading goal scorer with 27 goals.

1980s

By virtue of their Premier Division positions in seasons 1977-8 and 1978-9 Barnet were given a place in the newly formed Alliance Premier League.

In the first three Alliance seasons, Barnet just avoided relegation, but in 1982-3 they finished 15th and a year later 9th. Then in 1984-5, when it looked like Barnet would face relegation, manager Barry Fry left to take charge at Maidstone United. The season was resurrected under the guidance of ex-player Roger Thompson losing only one of their remaining thirteen league games. Stan Flashman became the new chairman of the club.

In season 1985-86 they finished 14th but reached the final of the Bob Lord Trophy only to lose to old friends Stafford Rangers. Some consolation was a win over Watford in the Herts. Senior Cup final. Dom MacAllister replaced Roger Thompson and then in July 1986, Barry Fry returned, much to the delight of the supporters. He led Barnet to their best league position for many years finishing runners-up in the Vauxhall Conference scoring 86 goals.

Despite turbulent times off the field, during season 1986-7 the club maintained their scoring, again finishing runners-up, Scarborough taking the automatic position into the 4th Division. Lincoln City came down but in

1987-8 they returned ahead of Barnet in the championship. 1988-9 was another indifferent season - at one time looking like relegation prospects the team secured 8th place - in the process using no fewer that 47 players!

Amazingly 1989-90 saw Barnet yet again finish runners-up in the Vauxhall Conference. This time it was Darlington that took the top spot.