Stack wants Edgar Davids to stay as Barnet finally run out of luck

 
P63 Edgar Davids
Getty
Nik Simon30 April 2013

Edgar Davids is not planning to turn his back on Barnet despite the club dropping out of the Football League.

The 40-year-old former Holland international revealed today he will seek talks with chairman Tony Kleanthous over his future.

Davids, who is not being paid by the club, hinted he might leave after defeat at Northampton sent them down. However, speaking to the BBC, he said: “I will have to evaluate things with the chairman in the coming weeks.

“I definitely want to be at Barnet. It is sad because League Two was a fun League to play in. I had a great time and it is sad it had to end this way.”

Davids (above) joined Barnet 11 games into the season with the club having picked up just three points. Based on the results under Davids alone, Barnet would have been pushing for the play-offs.

Goalkeeper Graham Stack confirmed the players are hoping talks between Kleanthous and the veteran midfielder pay off.

“I don’t know what he’s going to do to,” said club captain Stack. “I know his contract is up but we all want him to stay. His record with results speaks for itself.”

Stack confirmed he is staying at Barnet, who move to a new ground in Edgware during the summer, and that the players will have to take pay cuts.

“Next season is a fresh start,” said the 31-year-old, who spent six years with Arsenal at the beginning of his career. “There are a few players with non-League experience but it’s going to be new for a lot of them. We’ve got a tight squad and we’ll stick together and get our heads down.

“I don’t want to be involved in a team that’s not going to put up a spirited fight. I enjoy a battle and we’ve got three months to prepare for it.”

Barnet saved their League Two status on the final day of the previous two seasons but Stack admits his side have ridden their luck.

When the keeper saved an injury-time penalty during Barnet’s last-ever game at Underhill, a 1-0 win over Wycombe, there was a sense it could be third time lucky for Barnet.

“My kids were mascots [against Wycombe] and all my family were there,” said Stack. “It was an amazing day.

“I’ve been involved with Scottish Cup finals, UEFA Cups and the Champions League but that day was my biggest one. But, and there are no two ways about it, my biggest low followed a week later.

“For a club like Barnet to be there [in the relegation fight] four years in a row, you’re eventually going to come unstuck.

“But I don’t think anyone thought it would be this year.”

Stack said the players accept the financial consequences of relegation, which will cost the club an estimated £650,000 revenue from TV and the Premier League.

“That’s part of the territory,” he added. “It goes without saying there will be permutations. I won’t leave, I can’t speak for others.”

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