Allen back at Barnet for fifth time

MARTIN ALLEN is returning to Barnet for a fifth time — hired by chairman Tony Kleanthous to save the club from relegation. Allen, who has a history of relegation Houdini acts, will take over today. The former West Ham midfielder, nicknamed Mad Dog, last departed the club in 2016 for a doomed role at Eastleigh. He had been lined up for a role on new radio station Love Sport, as well as working as a referees’ assessor. Kleanthous sees the appointment of Allen, 52, as a last roll of the dice. A source close to the Barnet chief said last night: ‘The chairman had to do something drastic and he knows the impact Martin can have. He’s seen it before! And he desperately hopes he can do it again. It means everything to him to keep the club up.’ Barnet are bottom of the League Two table, lost 2-0 at home to Wycombe on Saturday and are seven points from safety. Manager Graham Westley and technical Mark McGhee were informed of the decision last night. Both are leaving the club immediately.