Popular Barnet goalkeeper Graham Stack said it was time for a "new challenge" after announcing he would be leaving the club after four years this week.

The former Arsenal stopper has been with the Bees since 2012 and made 129 starts, including 45 games of their title-winning National League side in 2015.

A new contract had been on the table after the expiry of his previous deal, signed back in January 2013, but player-coach Stack has decided to pursue a move elsewhere instead.

In an open letter to fans through his Twitter account, Stack said he had enjoyed "four fantastic years" with the club, but his move had been motivated by the chance of a new challenge.

Head coach Martin Allen revealed he had spent several hours attempting to convince him to stay on at the club, and said he would be "sadly missed" at The Hive.

He told the club website: “He will be sadly missed, but in football we need to move on very quickly as you all know. 

“We’ve got a new goalkeeper ready to come in on loan, because Jamie Stephens isn’t going to be ready for at least a month.

“I was sat in his house on Friday night from nine o’clock until quarter to twelve, trying to persuade him to stay and to play against Gillingham. 

“Unfortunately I couldn’t manage to do it, but I tried everything that I could.

“I’m sure that he will go on to be a success wherever he goes, because he really is a top bloke.”