Life's never dull with 'Mad Dog' Martin Allen around!
It's a shame we've played Barnet twice as it's always fun watching the touchline as Martin Allen parades up and down ready to explode at any minute, usually at his own players!
The 45-year-old last managed the Bees eight years ago when they were a mere Conference side, and he's now been appointed to save that fate being repeated, though the odds are firmly against him with just eight games left!
Barnet chairman Tony Kleanthous told www.barnetfc.com: "We will support Martin in his efforts to turn things around and bring in any new players."
Better hurry up Martin, you've got until midnight Thursday!
Allen was previously assistant to Peter Shreeves at Underhill in 2002 before taking over the following year staying for a year before leaving to manage Brentford, allowing Paul Fairclough to lead the the Bees to promotion from the Conference and into the Football League.
He now replaces the loyal Fairclough who was made caretaker manager following the sacking of ex-Gills boss Mark Stimson on New Year's Day.
Allen, who has played for Queens Park Rangers, Portsmouth and West Ham in the past, and yes, is an ex-Shrimper, has not managed since he left Cheltenham Town under dubious circumstances in December 2009.
Life at the bottom
| 16 | Macclesfield Town | 36 | 6 | 4 | 8 | 22 | 28 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 25 | 26 | 12 | 10 | 14 | 47 | 54 | 46 | -7 |
| 17 | Lincoln City | 37 | 7 | 4 | 8 | 18 | 26 | 6 | 3 | 9 | 24 | 32 | 13 | 7 | 17 | 42 | 58 | 46 | -16 |
| 18 | Bradford City | 36 | 9 | 2 | 7 | 22 | 18 | 4 | 3 | 11 | 13 | 28 | 13 | 5 | 18 | 35 | 46 | 44 | -11 |
| 19 | Morecambe | 38 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 22 | 24 | 6 | 3 | 10 | 23 | 32 | 11 | 10 | 17 | 45 | 56 | 43 | -11 |
| 20 | Northampton Town | 37 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 32 | 25 | 2 | 7 | 9 | 15 | 29 | 9 | 14 | 14 | 47 | 54 | 41 | -7 |
| 21 | Hereford United | 36 | 2 | 9 | 7 | 18 | 27 | 8 | 2 | 8 | 25 | 30 | 10 | 11 | 15 | 43 | 57 | 41 | -14 |
| 22 | Burton Albion | 34 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 25 | 20 | 2 | 5 | 10 | 15 | 30 | 9 | 10 | 15 | 40 | 50 | 37 | -10 |
| 23 | Barnet | 38 | 6 | 3 | 10 | 23 | 30 | 2 | 7 | 10 | 19 | 34 | 8 | 10 | 20 | 42 | 64 | 34 | -22 |
| 24 | Stockport County | 38 | 3 | 9 | 7 | 24 | 45 | 4 | 2 | 13 | 15 | 38 | 7 | 11 | 20 | 39 | 83 | 32 | -44 |
The Allen Files
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Martin James Allen | ||
| Date of birth | 18 August 1965 (1965-08-18) | ||
| Place of birth | Reading, Berkshire, England | ||
| Playing position | Midfielder | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 1984-1989 | Queens Park Rangers | 136 | (16) |
| 1989-1995 | West Ham United | 190 | (25) |
| 1995-1997 | Portsmouth | 45 | (4) |
| 1997-1998 | Southend United | 5 | (0) |
| National team | |||
| 1986-1987 | England U21 | 2 | (0) |
| Teams managed | |||
| 2003-2004 | Barnet | ||
| 2004-2006 | Brentford | ||
| 2006-2007 | Milton Keynes Dons | ||
| 2007 | Leicester City | ||
| 2008-2009 | Cheltenham Town | ||
| 2011- | Barnet | ||
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. † Appearances (Goals). | |||
(Manager info supplied by, for the full article go here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Allen)