Believe it or not but Joe Devera, at 23, is the longest serving player in the Barnet squad - he is due to make his 149th appearance for his local club at Lincoln City this weekend

The departures in the summer of Lee Harrison and Ismail Yakubu have thrust dependable Joe into the front line for appearances for the club and also as the most successful product of the PROTEC academy. He will be remembered as the eventual replacement right back for former inspirational skipper Ian Hendon.

First team coach Michael Stone hints at more to come from defender Devera. "He has all the attributes to be a first class pro", he says.

No-one is better placed to assess how Mark Stimson's new look squad compares to the Golden Oldies side of last season.

"This team is better collectively", Devera says. "Last year we had more individual players".

Debate has raged among Bees' supporters about whether Devera is a better centre half than right back and he admits that this caused him to think hard when a new manager was announced in June.

"I like each position equally", he said. "I didn't know whether to say I preferred one or the other or whether that would make me a utility player competing for a place in more than one position rather than be a specialist".

In the event, Devera slotted in at right back as one of only four survivors from last season - two of them being central defenders Daniel Leach and Clovis Kamdjo.

In his days at PROTEC Devera played for Welwyn Garden City, Barnet reserves and Staines. He captained the Barnet U19s side and was loaned to Northwood.

"Paul Fairclough signed me as a pro in 2006", recalls Devera, "but only after a trial period. I don't know if he had any doubts but I think I justified my selection by being voted Young Player of that year, followed the next season by Player of the Year.

Devera has one goal to his credit in those 148 starts and 10 substitute appearances - against Bradford City in a 4-1 victory at Underhill.

"That obviously stands out in my memories of my time at Underhill so far", he says. "But perhaps the best was my debut for the side in an away match against Cardiff City in the Carling Cup - one of Barnet's best results in years - and I made one of Tresor Kandol's two goals that night.

"Another highlight was going away to MK Dons and winning 1-0 with a goal from Ismail Yakubu.

Although he is a one-club man with an allegiance to the club nearest his home in New Southgate, Devera admits: "Chelsea are my team". Away from football he enjoys golf and fishing.

Dennis Signy