PIL ATES MADE ME FIT FOR 5TH STINT AT BARNET
The pullout that scores EVERY time Allen’s heart scare fear
MARTIN ALLEN is back at Barnet for a fifth time – but says a heart scare almost forced him to quit management for good.
The new Bees boss feared he would never return to the dugout after a defect was picked up during routine checks 18 months ago.
Nicknamed ‘Mad Dog’ during his playing days, Allen nursed himself back to fitness thanks to a healthy lifestyle and taking up pilates.
Allen, 52, had to receive the all-clear from medics before answering the Barnet SOS.
He said: “I went for tests at the League Managers’ Association and they picked up a defect in one of the chambers in my heart.
“I knew something was wrong because I was having trouble breathing and exercising was difficult.
“It put everything into perspective and I did not see myself working in football again after getting those test results.
“My wife Lisa suggested I think about taking up an alternative career.
“My life has been completely different since then because football takes over your life.
“I have been going to pilates classes and ® working on my garden. Before I said yes to Barnet, I went back to the LMA’s specialist in Harley Street and they said I’m 100 per cent fit and well and wished me good luck. “I feel 100 per cent better, 100 per cent healthy. I have lost weight and exercised. I can fit easily into my jeans now.” Allen first took charge of Barnet in 2003 and returned eight years later for a stint lasting just three matches before being poached by Notts County. In his third spell in 2012, Allen rescued the Bees from dropping out of the Football League and in 2015 he guided them to the Conference title. Barnet fans will be hoping Allen can work his magic again with the north Londoners seven points adrift of safety at the foot of League Two. Allen added: “I had no plans to come back in but the chairman gave me my first appointment in management and I worked very hard to get Barnet promoted back into the League.
“It is a club dear to my heart, so I would be very sad if Barnet were to lose their Football League status.
“It was a fantastic achievement to get Barnet to where they are. Winning two championships at Gillingham and Barnet have to be the best things I have done in management.
“But to avoid relegation at this point would be quite something. It is a tough call, but sometimes these things happen and I have done it before.
Slashing
“I have experienced situations like this and got Barnet and Notts County safe on the last day of the season. In my household we are expecting to do it again.”
Allen has already stamped his mark at The Hive by slashing his squad to 20 players and appointing midfielder Dan Sweeney as captain for the remainder of the season.
His side face promotion-chasing Luton today and Allen added: “One win can change it and we’ve got to hope for something special to happen.
“Then, from such a low position, you get self-belief, the crowd starts to believe and it can change.”