THE whole of Barnet FC’s morale has been hit thanks to years of conflict with the council and its “love affair” with Saracens, the chairman claims.

Tony Kleanthous said the club’s current Underhill ground is too small and there is no space on the site to enlarge it, meaning a move is essential for its future.

He told the Times-Series he battled with Barnet Council for years to find a solution to the problem only to learn they had given the Copthall stadium site to Saracens for free.

He said he does not want to bring 120 years of local community history to an end but has permission for a stadium at the Hive, in Canons Park, Harrow, and admitted “I’m getting too old and tired to play this game”.

He said: “I think it affects the morale of the whole club. It permeates right through the whole club. We work from portacabins. We’ve got no permanent buildings.

“The ground is okay but it’s not ideal. We’ve got to move forward.

“If they want us gone and Saracens in then fine – say so publically. But don’t pretend you are trying to help when you are making my life a misery and opening your arms to Saracens.

“Watching this lot together is like a love affair. I don’t have an issue with Saracens trying to do the best for themselves – I don’t have a problem with that.

“But if they want to have this love affair then everyone should know what’s going on.”

His comments follow the submission of a new planning application by Saracens which if approved would see £18m pumped into reviving the Copthall site.

The rugby club claims to have the backing of the majority “If the people of Barnet want their council to do these things and behave in this way then fine but let them know where their council tax is going.

“I don’t think the people of Barnet voted for the council to kick out the football club and bring in a rugby club.

“People in the London Borough of Barnet love the things we do in the community, they love our club and they love the fact that Barnet FC represents them with so much pride.”

Councillor Richard Cornelius, leader of the council, replied to a furious statement posted on the club’s website with a single word comment: “Rubbish.”