Edgar Davids has confirmed he will wear Barnet's No1 shirt in midfield during this season's Skrill Premier campaign.

The 40-year-old former Champions League winning midfielder – Barnet's head coach since December – has worn the number during his side's last two pre-season friendlies, as they prepare for life outside the Football League following last season's final-day relegation from League Two.

After wearing No1 during Barnet's 4-1 friendly defeat to MK Dons on Saturday, Davids told Barnet's Times newspaper he had made the shirt his own. "That is my number for the season. I am going to start this trend."

Barnet's goalkeeper Graham Stack, who will wear No29, told the paper: "Squad numbers mean nothing to me and I've had a few over the years. So it is not an issue for me. Edgar Davids has asked to wear number one, he asked me what number I want and I said I didn't mind.

"I spoke to Mick McCarthy [the Ipswich Town manager] last weekend and he said that he's had many number ones or nines on the bench. So I don't think it matters what you wear. All that matters is that you are in the team and playing."

This article was amended to take account of the Football Conference's new title sponsor after a partnership with Skrill was announced on Friday