Ollie Kensdale, who was named in the National League South Team of the Season, has joined Barnet FC on a two-year deal, as per the club’s official website.
Who Is Ollie Kensdale?
Kensdale is a rangy centre-back who has played over 100 games in the National League for Southend United.
He came through the youth ranks at the Shrimpers’ bitter rivals, Colchester United, making six appearances for the U’s. During his time at Colchester, he went out on loan to Maldon & Tiptree, Bath City and Braintree Town.
After mutually terminating his Colchester contract in February 2021, the defender spent the rest of the calendar year at Concord Rangers, making 14 appearances for the National League South club.
His impressive performances in the sixth tier earned him a move to Southend United in December 2021 as the Shrimpers paid an undisclosed fee for the Englishman.
Kensdale, who was Kevin Maher’s first signing at Southend, was an ever-present for the next two-and-a-half seasons before moving to Eastbourne Borough in November 2024.
The 25-year-old has excelled upon his return to the National League South and was a key part of his team’s push for promotion, making 35 appearances for the Sports.
Where May He Fit In Barnet?
Fans may look at Barnet’s excellent defensive record last season and wonder why they have signed another centre-back, but these reasons become slightly deeper when the Bees’ squad is analysed in more detail.
Danny Collinge and Adebola Oluwo, two of Barnet’s best players this season, are both out of contract and are yet to agree new deals with the Bees.
Dean Brennan’s other right-footed centre-back options, Joe Grimwood and Joe Rye are both coming to the end of their first years as full-time footballers and may not be deemed ready for the EFL. This point may apply to Rye in particular, who finished last season on loan in the National League South.
This leaves the National League winners with just one established right-footed centre-back under contract, Nikola Tavares. If Brennan was going to continue employing the back three system which has got him so much success in recent years, it was certainly an area in which he needed to strengthen.
Writer’s View
In terms of pure ability, Kensdale should never have needed to drop back into regional football.
But, his spell at Eastbourne Borough has seen the defender back to his very best and Barnet have capitalised on this in typical Dean Brennan fashion.
Kensdale is technically exceptional for a centre-back and he can play across the entire back three. This should allow the Bees to become even more dominant in possession.
He is also excellent in the air and will be a threat from set pieces, an area in which Barnet already became extremely potent in the second half of this season.
Even if Collinge and Oluwo both sign new contracts, they will have to be at the very top of their games week in, week out to keep Kensdale out of the team.
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