Barnet FC Highlights Young Talent in 'Raised in the EFL' Campaign
The club celebrates the progress of four academy players, showcasing opportunities for emerging talent at The Hive.
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Barnet FC is celebrating the progress of its young players through the national 'Raised in the EFL' campaign, which runs from 11 September to 25 September 2026. The initiative aims to highlight the opportunities available for emerging talent at The Hive, focusing on the development pathways that help turn young footballers' ambitions into reality.
Player Spotlights
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The campaign features four players: goalkeeper Anthony Haralambous, academy graduates Aaron Liwala and Bright Siaw, and midfielder Pat Matejko. Their individual journeys illustrate different stages of development, from academy football and first-team opportunities to experiences within the wider football pyramid.
Goalkeeper Anthony Haralambous has progressed to the first-team matchday squad, including being named as a substitute in Barnet's match against Accrington Stanley in September 2026. This involvement provides him with experience of the demands and expectations of senior football. Haralambous also received the Academy’s Club Person of the Year award for the 2025/26 season.
Aaron Liwala joined Barnet's Shadow Scholarship Programme in 2024 after being released by West Ham United. He progressed through the club's development structure, earned a scholarship, and signed his first professional contract in August 2026. Liwala made his senior debut against Arsenal Under-21s in the EFL Trophy. He also received the Players’ Player and Manager’s Player awards at the 2025/26 Academy end-of-season celebration.
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Bright Siaw, who joined the Academy in the summer of 2024, signed his first professional contract in March 2025. He has had loan spells with Burnham, Welling United, and Southall. In January 2026, Siaw signed an extended contract with Barnet FC, running until June 2029. He scored the opening goal in Barnet’s 5 to 1 EFL Trophy victory over Arsenal Under‑21s in August 2026.
Pat Matejko signed his first professional contract on his 17th birthday in June 2024, having already made appearances for Barnet in National League fixtures. He started alongside Liwala and Siaw in the EFL Trophy match against Arsenal Under-21s.
Development Pathways
The stories of these players highlight the importance of continuous training, matches, and learning from setbacks. The club's approach aims to provide tangible goals for current young players, demonstrating that breakthroughs are built over time through consistent effort and development within the club's structure.
The 'Raised in the EFL' campaign, supported by the English Football League, runs until 25 September 2026, underscoring the ongoing commitment to nurturing the next generation of professional footballers.
Questions this report answers
+What is the 'Raised in the EFL' campaign?
The 'Raised in the EFL' campaign is a national initiative running from 11 to 25 September 2026, celebrating clubs, coaches, and opportunities that help develop young footballers into senior professionals. Barnet FC is participating to highlight the pathways available for emerging talent within its academy structure.
+Which young players are being highlighted by Barnet FC?
Barnet FC is highlighting four young players: goalkeeper Anthony Haralambous, and academy graduates Aaron Liwala, Bright Siaw, and Pat Matejko. Their progress within the club's development system is being showcased as examples for aspiring young footballers.
+What achievements have these players reached?
Anthony Haralambous has been named in the first-team squad, Aaron Liwala signed his first professional contract in August 2026, and Bright Siaw scored in a 5-1 EFL Trophy win in August 2026 and signed a new contract until June 2029. Pat Matejko made senior appearances before signing professionally.
Barnet Press News Desk
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