by Luke Cawdell

Ian Hendon admits he shed "blood, sweat and tears" for Barnet during a seven-year spell which ended in him getting the sack.

Now Gillingham’s assistant manager, Hendon (pictured) came up against the same problem that countless managers face on a regular basis – a chairman with itchy feet.

Hendon, who, as captain of the Bees helped them into the Football League in 2005, was handed the management reins at Underhill halfway through the 2008/09 season in a caretaker capacity.

He guided them to safety that season and, after taking the hot-seat permanently the following campaign, he steered them to the top of the table. But with no funds to strengthen and injuries to key men, they embarked on a rapid descent.

With two games left and needing two points for survival, Bees chairman Tony Kleanthous wielded the axe.

Barnet survived but Hendon was not there to see it and it’s something he has not forgotten.

The 39-year-old said: "I took them top in September and perhaps I should have quit there and finished on a high but that’s not like me.

"I had Gary Breen there, who all the Gillingham fans will know and Ismail Yakubu. They were my two main centre-halves and between them they missed a whole season through injury.

"The two centre-halves, along with your two centre forwards, are your biggest players in this division and they are key.

"We battled on but I ended up getting the sack. I felt disappointed in the way it ended. I don’t think it was fair.

"I shed blood, sweat and tears during my time there and I enjoyed it for a certain time but the circumstances at Barnet are difficult and finances are tight. That’s why they are always battling down the bottom.

"If they stay up, it will probably be a similar story next year. I was disappointed when I left but that’s football.

"It’s pastures new for me. I moved on and am enjoying myself where I am at the moment.

"I would love Barnet to stay up but on Saturday afternoon it will be about Gillingham getting three points. That’s what matters most."