Fry days mean Stein can take the heat

"Barry was sacked a million and one times and I was caretaker manager a million and one times. At one point Fry and Barnet owner Stan Flashman used to row daily.

"Barry had to raid the slot machines at the club more than once just to pay the wages and he would organise events like race nights and discos just to keep the club going.

"Every day the carpet was pulled out from under us, every day the club went from one financial crisis to another. Yet we survived and the club survived. And when Barry left for Southend and I was put in charge, we ended up winning Division Three. The players hadn't been paid for six weeks but we still won the league and got into the Second Division - Barnet's highest ever position.

"That was no mean feat. The players repaid the faith I had in them and to win the league after all that went on was amazing."

Harrow won just eight games last season, but Stein, who played for Luton with his brother Brian before spells at Barnet and Dagenham, said: "At Harrow we can't compete financially with most of the clubs in this division, I've got virtually nothing in the budget and I'm relying on youngsters - but I'm not complaining.

"My times at Barnet and Southend made me realise the game is all about players. Money helps, of course, but if the players want to play for you and you organise them effectively, anything is possible."