Barnet have made four players available on a free transfer heading into the off-season.

Tom Champion, Ben Tomlinson, Shaun Batt and Mauro Vilhete have been told that their future lies away from The Hive.

Champion, 29, has made 30 appearances for the Bees this season but is looking to play more next year.

Martin Allen revealed on the club's official website: “Tom Champion has done really well for us though this season.

“But I just feel that we need to make some changes this summer, to take us forward into next season.

“Tom still has a year to go on his contract, but obviously he wants to be playing more games.

“So I feel that now is the right time to say that he is free to go and find himself a new club.

Tom Champion

“He’s a great captain and a great person to have around the place. I really like him, but I do need to try and move the whole thing forward.

“So this morning I’ve had a chat with Tom and told him that he is available for a free transfer.”

Tomlinson, 26, has found chances limited for Barnet this season and has had loan spells at Grimsby, Tranmere and Barrow during the campaign.

Allen revealed: “Ben Tomlinson has been out on loan for most of the season, and he has got a year to go on his contract.

“He’s done really well at Barrow, scoring quite a few goals. Ben has also been made available for a free transfer this morning, to find himself a new club, get playing, and get goals under his belt.

Ben Tomlinson in action for Tranmere against Lincoln during his two-month loan spell at Prenton Park. (Pic: by Tony Coombes)
Ben Tomlinson in action for Tranmere against Lincoln during his two-month loan spell at Prenton Park. (Pic: by Tony Coombes)

“I know he can do it – he’s a great lad who is very popular in the dressing room. We’ll see what happens with Ben. “

Batt, 29, joined Barnet last summer but has found his time on the pitch limited to just 20 appearances.

Allen said: “I’ve also spoken to Shaun Batt this morning. He is an absolute diamond of a bloke – you couldn’t wish to meet a better person than Shaun Batt.

“He’s great in the dressing room and he has been fantastic in training. I think he needs someone to give him a break; to play regular first team football, so that he can get his confidence back up.

Shaun Batt

“He’s got so much talent that we see week in and week out on the training pitch. I’m sure that soon we’re going to see him transfer that to competitive first team football, which I think that Shaun desperately needs now.

“We’re going to give him a free transfer nice and early, so that he can get out there and find a club for next season.”

Vilhete, who scored both goals as Barnet secured promotion back to the Football League, has also been told he is free to go.

Allen explained: “Mauro Vilhete is always going to be a legend at this football club, for scoring those goals last year against Gateshead.

“So it’s with a heavy heart that I feel that Mauro needs to go out and play more first team football.

Mauro Vilhete celebrates scoring his first goal

“He’s a terrific lad that is very popular, and it’s a sad decision that I’ve got to make.

“But like I say, I’ve got to try and bring through the young players that we’ve got at the club.

“I want to bring them forward through the summer and pre-season, so I’ve also decided to give Mauro a free transfer this morning.”