HULL CITY: Barmby keen to carry on regardless
IT IS an admission that comes with a certain reluctance but Nick Barmby accepts he is nearing the end of his playing days.
Turning 36 last month, the Hull City veteran has grown accustomed to questions over the timing of his retirement.
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Nick Barmby in action at West Ham
But while his current deal at the KC Stadium is nearing its summer conclusion, Barmby insists this season will not be his last.
The former England international is eyeing a return to the Tigers' starting XI at former club Everton tomorrow and hopes to play a key role in his hometown club's fight for survival.
And hungry to earn himself a seventh season with City, Barmby is not yet willing to sign off his glittering career in the spotlight.
"I still want the challenges of playing football. You want to play as long as you can," Barmby told the Mail.
"Your body will dictate that but I'll be the first to hold my hands up when the time comes and I think I can't play at this level.
"At the moment I think I can and it's a great challenge for me to play at the highest level so late in my career.
"I feel as though I can play another year but that decision is ultimately down to the club."
Like team-mate George Boateng, who is also out of contract in June, Barmby is content to see City's fate decided before his own.
"The main focus is on us staying in the Premier League," he said.
"I'll speak to the manager and the chairman when the right time comes around but the main thing is to keep Hull City in this league.
"I can hopefully have a big input into that, whether it's on or off the pitch, but I'm pretty easy about my future."
Barmby looks certain to be involved in some capacity again at Goodison Park tomorrow, a venue where he is guaranteed a hot reception after leaving Everton for Liverpool in 2000.
But if survival is his only short-term goal, what about the years to come?
Barmby makes no secret of his desire to remain in football and takes a keen interest in the rearing of homegrown graduates at the KC Stadium.
However, those long-term goals remain intrinsically linked to the here and now.
"Since I've been at the club I've always coached anyway. I'm always trying to help out with the kids," he added.
"That's an ingrained thing for me. It happened when I started out at Spurs where the senior pros would always try and give the young lads some guidance.
"It's something I'd like to explore in the future. But the main aim has to be for us to make sure Hull City is still a Premier League club in the long-term to set the foundations in place.
"I'd like to be involved in all that but it's up to the club, I'm not going to beg for it.
"I love the club and would like to play a part in its future for as long as I can but the main thing is keeping Hull City in the Premier League first."
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by kevin, e yorks
Sunday, March 07 2010, 10:34AM
“andy spain great post,couldnt agree more,we all agree both barmby and boateng always give 100% and i believe bith players have a great feeling for the club.all city fans will always appreciate there efforts for city,boateng in particular has been in good form recently,but how much longer can he keep it up ?,as a club we can not afford players,who may only play 10 games a season,all good things come too an end,i also question giving ian ashbee another year on big wages,he may never be the same player again,having said that ash has been a great captain for city,on todays game a point would be a great result,im hoping for at least that,come on city get in there faces,make it uncomfertable for everton,if we let them play,it will be another away defeat,also hope bullard starts.”
by Andy, Spain
Sunday, March 07 2010, 8:40AM
“Since Mr Pearson returned he has made it very clear that we need to reduce the wage bill by a significant amount. Despite attempts in January we hardly scratched the surface only Doyle who had a contract into next season has left. We have a number of players whose contracts expire at the end of the season but these are mainly junior players. Of the senior players Sonko is certain to leave and Altidore and Zaki may also go back to their clubs. The players we want to offload Folan, Cousin and Halmossi are not certain to leave. In these circumstances if we wish to sign better players and move forward we need to release Barmby and Boateng. They have both been in and out of the team this season and at their age next season they are likely to have less of an impact. The emergence of Cairney is another reason for releasing Boateng. This season we added an additional full time coach to the youth set up so unless somebody leaves there is no scope for keeping them for the youth set up. I don¿t buy into the fact we need them as role models for me that is a luxury we cannot afford. If we keep them we reduce our capacity to sign new players. Therefore I see it that if we want to progress they have to go. If we want to standstill or go backwards we keep them. Sad but true.”
by Mr Moral,, On the High Ground
Saturday, March 06 2010, 1:58PM
“IMO, when not if Hull City stay up in the PL, of all the players out of contract in the summer Barmby & Boeteng will get new deals. Th club needs players of there ilk. Nothing to do with sentiment just plain common sence. Kids need role models and these 2 are 2 of the best.”
by kevin, e yorks
Saturday, March 06 2010, 1:39PM
“i know nick barmby always gives 100% for city,his best days are well behind him,no way would i give nick barmby or boateng another contract,in the best intrests of the club,we need better fit players,who are up to the pace of the prem every week now,well done nick for your efforts for your home town club,but if i was you id retire,on boateng who recently has been good,maybe a role for him on the coaching staff,as hes a really intelligent player and man.”
by Rocker, Cottingham
Saturday, March 06 2010, 1:36PM
“with hunt out injured IMO it has to be NB on the left. in this game it would make sence to try 3-5-2- but think it will be back to 4-5-1. everton also have team problems and are short of fit strikers. we shall see
UTT.”