FORMER Bees star Anwar Uddin claims Barnet chairman Tony Kleanthous is amongst the most passionate football club owners he has ever seen.

Uddin move to the club in 2010 after a six-year spell at Dagenham & Redbridge where he captained the Daggers through their rise from the Conference to League One.

And the former West Ham academy graduate revealed he was saddened by his Barnet’s relegation from League Two last season, and in particular, for the club’s charismatic owner.

“I felt sorry for Tony because for me Tony is the biggest fan,” Uddin said.

“As a player in my first year we just avoided relegation and in my second year again we avoided relegation but Tony embraced everything as a fan.

“After some of the games, especially when I was assistant, I would go up and have a chat with him and talk to him about how it went and literally you could see it in his face he was so stressed yet so relieved - he literally kicks every ball.”

Uddin left the Bees by mutual consent in 2012 but the 31-year-old has fond memories of his time at Barnet and hopes Kleanthous can fulfil his ambitions for the club.

“I think it is one of the beautiful things about football when you get owners and chairman who literally live and breathe the game the club,” he said.

“I know he has his critics and I know some fans at Barnet are a little bit frustrated that the club has not gone in the direction they would like it to go but I tell you what he is the biggest fan.

“Just watching him used to stress me out so fingers crossed it goes well for him.”

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