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Ian Hendon Hangs Up His Boots 'Ian Hendon to hang up his boots after 20 years as a professional' ran the headline in July 2009 on the Club's, the BBC's and indeed the football world's websites – they are just a size 8 by the way. I know this because I have and treasure a genuine well-worn pair given to me by Ian as a souvenir from Barnet's Conference winning season in 2004-5. Ian Michael Hendon will be a cult hero to Barnet followers forevermore I have no doubt of that. Having taken over the reins as Manager at Underhill in December of last year, with all the pressures, commitment and focus that the job entails, this is obviously the major factor in his decision to officially retire as a player. However he has been struggling with an ankle injury for some considerable time sustained ironically in a team training session. Ian had surgery on it in June 2008. He revealed "It's a wrench and of course I am disappointed. Playing football has been my life since I was a boy. When the time is right to go you have to accept that the time is right". Ian was born in Ilford Essex on the 5th December 1971 and as a youngster his Dad Arthur took him regularly to Brisbane Road Orient although Tottenham was his team and Glen Hoddle his hero. Arthur of course is now a regular in the Durham Suite at Underhill on matchdays. At Centre half and playing for Romford Royals Ian represented Romford Schools, Essex Schools and then England Schoolboys before joining Spurs as an apprentice, eventually making 2 first team and numerous reserve appearances. In 1989 Ian won an FA Youth Cup medal at White Hart Lane and in 1991 appeared as a substitute at Wembley in the Charity Shield Final against Arsenal. He won seven England under 21 caps before joining Leyton Orient in 1993 spending nearly four seasons there making some 130 appearances. "I had loan spells at Portsmouth, Barnsley and Birmingham but the biggest disappointment in my football career was not playing more first team games at Tottenham" said Ian. Notts County Manager Sam Allaydyce recognised Hendon's natural leadership qualities and with Ian as his captain County won the Division 3 Championship in 1998. After spending a season at Northampton Town, where he was voted into the "Division 3 Team of the Season" in 1999 by the PFA, and a further three seasons at Sheffield Wednesday under Peter Shreeves, whom incidentally had been his coach as a young lad at White Hart Lane, Ian joined Barnet on loan on Boxing Day 2002. Shreeves was by then Manager at Underhill - he named Hendon in this line up to face Dagenham & Redbridge, the Bees winning 2-1: Naisbitt, Pluck, Hendon, Heald, Flynn, Gower, Yakubu, Doolan, Toms, Agogo and Purser. Ian featured in five games during this loan spell scoring one goal coming at home to Doncaster Rovers until he signed for Peterborough United in late January 2003 much to the disappointment of the Barnet faithful. Now with Martin Allen, previously Peter Shreeves' assistant, in full charge, Ian returned to Underhill for the start of the 2003/4 season on a free transfer. He became an overnight cult hero with his aggressive yet cultured style of play at full back or centre back coupled with being a very approachable man off of the pitch as well. Taking his place as Captain in a defensive line up alongside Simon King, Danny Maddix and Chris Plummer Ian scored in the opening league game at home to Telford United. The thunderous shot after a powerful run had taken a deflection but Hendo was credited with the goal – who was going to argue with him I ask? Hendo's iconic status at the club then blossomed very quickly even when he conceded, albeit with smile during a questionnaire by the BFC Supporters Association that one of his pet hates was "answering bloody questionnaires". In September 2003 Barnet made the short journey up the A1 to Stevenage Borough. With the Bees a goal down an injured Hendon was substituted at half time. Yet, instead of taking his place on the bench next to his manager he hobbled around to the stand behind the goal where the Barnet fans were massed and took a seat amongst hordes of his disciples even joining in with the chanting. Here beside the troops was our very own Captain Fantastic. The decibel level increased ten fold, as did the belief. With Barnet swarming forward Peter Beadle equalised and then goal machine Giuliano Grazioli grabbed the winner. Cue euphoria in the visitor's enclosure. Captain Hendo eventually surfaced from below a mound of admirers beaming from ear to ear. That is how you get inside the very heart of a supporter. In March 2004 Allen moved on to Brentford allowing Hendon and Maddix to briefly become joint caretaker-managers. They spent a week at the helm and Ian's first taste of managerial achievement was gaining a point in a hard fought 1-1 draw at Forest Green thanks to a Ben Strevens goal. Chairman Tony Kleanthous soon approached Paul Fairclough who took over team affairs, at first on a caretaker basis but was confirmed as manager at the end of that campaign. That season of course ended in heartache as the club narrowly missed out on a play-off final at the hands of Shrewsbury Town who won a tight semi final tie on penalties. Ian made 43 appearances that season scoring seven times, four from the penalty spot.
At the end of August Barnet were top of the table courtesy of a 1-0 win at Canvey Island and that was where they remained until May hardly looking back. Ian was outstanding in that game receiving individual praise from manager Paul Fairclough who stated that his job was made so much easier with the presence of a player like Hendon at the club. Picking up an injury at Woking at the beginning of October Ian missed the consummate 3-0 win at Exeter City but regained fitness in time to impress the Sky TV audience by scoring twice in the 5-0 demolition of Dagenham & Redbridge. The following Saturday the team made the long trek to a high-flying and buoyant Carlisle United. In front of over 9,000 spectators, in the most intimidating white-hot atmosphere, Ian was in magnificent form using all his aptitude and experience in keeping his nerve to score from the penalty spot after just 3 minutes. The goal set up a brilliant 3-1 victory which put the Bees 6 points clear at the top of the table. A 3-1 victory over Halifax Town at Underhill confirmed the championship while the 1-1 draw again at Underhill against Carlisle United was the evening that the trophy was presented. Ian and his team paraded the silverware around the pitch and from his expression he could have quite easily walked around all night. The same applies to the teams' open-topped bus ride around Barnet before the Civic Reception held at the Town Hall. Ian made 40 appearances in all that season scoring five times including four penalties. Now aged 33 Ian comfortably retained his fitness for the return to the Football League making another 39 appearances from a possible 52 scoring four times, all from the penalty spot. Ian was in the following Bees line up that lost to the mighty Manchester United at Old Trafford in the League Cup in October. Flitney, Hendon, Yakubu, King, Gross, Soares, Lee, Sinclair, Bailey, Strevens, Grazioli. Subs: Tynan, Batt, Charles, Graham, Hatch. Referee Richard Beeby's harsh sending off of Flitney in the first minute will forever irritate Barnet supporters but during all the bewilderment I vividly recall Ian consoling a distraught and desperately unlucky Louie Soares as he walked off the pitch sacrificed for goalkeeping substitute Tynan.
Ian was quoted "I always look to at least hit them hard and fortunately both went in today. I could have been the hero or villain, but I'm the captain and I have to take the responsibility." Yet another penalty conversion from Ian at Rochdale gave the Bees a 1-1 draw and another valuable point at a critical time. The 2-1 victory at Rushden and Diamonds secured the club another season in the Football League and Barnet fielded three players (Andy Hessenthaler, Paul Warhurst and Hendon) with a total age of 110 years of age that day. The 2006-7 season will be remembered as the first time the club had reached the fourth round of the FA Cup. Sadly we were beaten 0-2 at Underhill by Plymouth Argyle but the second round victory, 4-1 against Northampton Town, was a triumph for Ian as he played magnificently and scored the all important third goal. He again excelled in the third round 2-1 victory over Colchester United but after a sending off at MK Dons for an alleged elbow on Dean Lewington the previous week Ian, along with Dean Sinclair was suspended for the 4th round. Ian made 27 appearances during the season scoring five penalties. In May Ian faced a dilemma. Initially, he was not offered a new playing contract by Barnet, but was given the chance to join Paul Fairclough's coaching staff. He was forced to decide whether to seek to further his playing career with another club, or to stay with the club he has grown to love, and start his coaching career earlier than planned. He decided on the latter, to work as Assistant Manager. Although still registered as a player he wasn't expected to contribute to the first-team regularly nevertheless, he featured in three early fixtures of 2007–08, before dropping back as new players arrived. His last start came in the 2-1 defeat at Brentford in August while his last appearance in the black and amber was 17th November as a 90th minute substitute at Shrewsbury Town. By Christmas 2008 Barnet had won just three league games and had recently taken only 6 points from a possible 33. They were again struggling in the bottom four and the club announced that Paul Fairclough was to stand down and take up a position as Chief Executive of Barnet Sports Development. The natural progression and frankly one that the vast majority of fans would have wished was the succession of Ian from Assistant Manager to the position of Caretaker Manager – the full time post and a 2 year contract was confirmed in April. Ian's first game in charge came at Bury where the following line up much hampered by suspensions and injuries to key players narrowly lost 0-1. Kadoch – Porter – Breen – Yakubu – Gillett – Adomah – Black – Hughes – Leary – O'Flynn – Furlong.
So, into a new era at Barnet Football Club we go with a young fresh Manager in place and someone who is genuinely treasured and respected by all connected with it. Ian said with a smile, "The transition from player to manager isn't that different, you can still have banter with the lads. At least I'll still have an outdoors role with the players every day, training and keeping fit" Quotes Without doubt the
greatest captain the club has had during the 25 years I
have been supporting the club - A true leader who leads
by example." - Jeff Searle "Ian's leadership during the 2004/5 season winning the Conference title was extraordinary without which we probably would not be a member of the Football League today." - BFCSA Chairman Eddie Thompson "The man wears his heart on his sleeve and in my experience he hates losing more than I do." – Life long supporter Steve Percy "Ian is a model professional with Barnet running through his veins." - Dennis Signy In his 20 years in football Ian has played with and/or worked with managers and coaches including Terry Venables, Peter Shreeves, Sam Allardyce, Lawrie McMenemy, Ossie Ardiles, Barry Fry and Paul Jewell. "I must have learned something from that little lot surely?" Ian Hendon 2002-2008 - Appearances 157 Goals 22 Reckless July 2009
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The following season Ian
captained the side to glory winning the Football
Conference and therefore promotion back to the Football
League, by a country mile. He led by example controlling
a much strengthened defensive line with the squad
additions of left back Simon Clist and goalkeeper Scott
Tynan together with Simon King making what turned out to
be an effortlessness switch to a centre half role
converted from full back.
The club were top of the table
after four league games but by February they were
languishing dangerously near the bottom and frankly had
struggled to find their Conference form. Hendo reserved
one of his most influential games for a time when we
needed it most. Two perfectly struck penalties in the 2-1
home win over his old club Notts County steadied the
ship.
The
attacking formation of 4-4-2 left no doubt of Ian's
intentions and his method of guiding the club to safety.
He had also secured the loan signing of the experienced
striker Paul Furlong and was on the verge of also signing
a young exciting winger Yannick Bolaise and utility men
Mark Hughes and Matt Lockwood, all on differing deals.
The belief was back with the supporters too as the team
won seven and drew eight of the next 23 games more than
sufficient to finish comfortably in mid table. The
tremendous 4-1 win at home to Bristol Rovers probably the
highlight.
