In
the spotlight is a player who came top in a recent pole on a
supporters website as “Their Favourite Player of All Time”
While
Jason Puncheon could never realistically be regarded as equally
influential on Barnet Football Club as the likes of Lester Finch, Les
Eason or Gary Phillips, especially as he only graced the Underhill
turf for two seasons, however he was revered by the club's younger
supporters as an exciting playmaker who could turn a game on its head
in an instant with a breathtaking goal. We were once again very
privileged to witness the development of a young player with immense
talent who has since played at the highest level in the Premiership
with Southampton, Blackpool and Queens Park Rangers. He also has a
distinction in that he has scored in all four divisions of English
league football.
Jason
was born in 1986 in Croydon and started his career with Wimbledon in
2003 just months before their transformation into MK Dons. Released
in the Summer of 2006 Jason was signed by Paul Fairclough, who had
been watching his progress for some time.
Starting
the league season as a regular substitute he made his first start on
the 19th August against Hereford United at Underhill in
the following line up:
Harrison,
Hendon, Charles, King, Nicolau, Cogan, Bailey, Sinclair, Puncheon,
Kandol, Grazioli.
He
scored the third goal in a 3-0 win alongside Giuliano Grazioli and
Nicky Bailey – not bad company! Relishing a free role in midfield
alongside Bailey and Dean Sinclair, Puncheon soon became a firm
favourite with the Underhill faithful with his trickery and power on
the ball. He made 45 appearances that season scoring 6 times
including the Goal of the Season against Colchester United in the FA
Cup.
More
of the same followed in 2007 partnering Adam Birchall up front
culminating in Puncheon being named in the League 2 Team of the Year
by the Football Association. His unstoppable last minute free kick to
win the home game 2-1 against Bradford was streets ahead in the
supporters Goal of the Season voting. He made 48 appearances scoring
11 times in all.
Plymouth
Argyle tabled a £250,000 bid during the summer of 2008 and much to
the disappointment of the Barnet faithful Jason moved to the West
Country. He had an unsettled time at Home Park making only half a
dozen appearances before a lengthy loan spell back to MK Dons where
he became firm favourite there too making over 50 appearances and
scoring 12 goals.
In
the February 2010 transfer window he moved to Southampton for an
undisclosed fee and is there still despite three loan spells at
Blackpool, Millwall and QPR.
Would
Jason line up in the ultimate Barnet eleven notwithstanding his
recent pedigree from an extremely well supported website poll? Well
it is certainly food for thought but we have had some wonderfully
talented and exciting players at our club over the years. What is
certain is that Jason would waltz into a side made up of players from
the last 10 years and arguably even the last 20. He is a player in
the mould of ex Bees Colin Powell, Andy Clarke or more recently
Albert Adomah who will lift a crowd by purely receiving a pass. I
recall as I am sure you all do Puncheon casually tempting a full back
to commit and then leave them behind with devastating pace and then
out of nothing score goal an outstanding goal too.
Jason
Puncheon Appearances 93 Goals 17
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