When Dutch legend Edgar Davids came out of retirement to become Barnet’s player-manager in October 2012, you just knew it would be a roller coaster hell.
An enigmatic and colorful figure as a player, Davids has represented clubs such as Ajax, Juventus, Barcelona and Inter Milan during an illustrious professional career.
The final stop on Davids’ journey was with the Bees and it was certainly a chapter in his life he would not hastily forget – and neither would the Barnet players he was leading.
Davids took sole responsibility for the Bees following Mark Robson’s departure in December 2012, but was unable to prevent them from dropping out of the Football League as they were relegated on the last day of the season.
The legendary midfielder made nine appearances for the Bees in the Premier conference in the 2013/14 campaign, before stepping down as boss in January 2014.
But the impact he had on the club has been lasting – as ex-Barnet striker Jake Hyde illustrated on Friday’s EFL show.
Detailing Davids’ typical habits as a manager, Hyde said: “Glasses on his head, laces undone, he was still going out for 20 minutes.
“So we were warming up every day and we didn’t know if we were going to see it or not.
“Some days in the winter when it was really cold he had this nice £ 100,000 Bentley – but if you look at his rims they were shredded to pieces and all cut.
“It had entered and was parked in three spaces just in front. We’re like, “You’re ruining this car!
“We would be out there training for the warm up and a few times in the winter rather than going out and training with the boys – all of a sudden it would take an hour and you would think he didn’t show up. today. – you would just see the Bentley.
He continued, “It would be coming out on all terrains, down the hill, all the way down the back and keep driving on the terrain.
“He was sitting behind the goal with the heater on, his feet on the dashboard watching us for about 20 minutes!
“I couldn’t concentrate thinking he was sitting here watching me, but he was sitting in the Bentley!” He wasn’t even training, but he would start himself on Saturday!
“He’s probably not the best driver – that’s probably the best way to put it. We try to focus on the passing exercise and it does about three inverses [manoeuvres] each way and he’s stuck in the mud and can’t go up the hill!
“He’s now stuck and circling around in his Bentley watching us train! Brilliant stories like this will live on me forever.
In December 2013, Davids was sent off for the third time this season as Barnet lost 2-1 to Salisbury City.
It would be the last time Davids would play for Barnet as he left the club the following month.
He certainly came out with a bang – and everyone associated with Barnet Football Club will never forget him!