Ask any Barnet supporter about beating Halifax in the 2004/05 campaign and they will jump to the 3-1 home win which saw the Bees clinch the Conference title at Underhill.

Yet in the eyes of captain - and future manager - Ian Hendon, the 3-2 away win which triggered the belief they could be champions was equally memorable.

The Bees had begun the now famous 2004/05 season in good form, picking up four points from a possible six; beating Forest Green Rovers 3-1 on the opening day and drawing 0-0 at Farnborough.

But, trailing 2-0 at Halifax on Saturday, August 21, Hendon recalls a fraught dressing room and what ultimately transpired to be one of the most important 15 minutes of the season.

An own goal from Steve Haslam five minutes after the restart hauled Paul Fairclough's men back into the contest before goals 60 seconds apart from strike duo Liam Hatch and Giuliano Grazioli turned the tie on its head.

"We hit the top very early on and stayed there," recalled Hendon, who is now first-team coach at Premier League side West Ham United. "Halifax away was the game I remember, we were 2-0 down at half-time and we had a major kick-off in the dressing room at half-time and that tells you what you need to know about the players.

"Paul Fairclough let it go because it showed the fight and spirit amongst the players and what we demanded from each other. Once we went top it was a matter of when not if we would win it. It [the season] dragged on but we had good players all over the pitch and Giuliano Grazioli banging in the goals.

"It is funny, but the two poignant moments in that season for me were both games against Halifax. It was great day (the title-sealing win) and I have still got the pictures now. I remember having my daughter on the pitch with me and celebrating with all the supporters," he enthused.

Hendon's seven-year affiliation with Barnet began in 2003 when he joined the Bees on loan from Division One (now Championship) strugglers Sheffield Wednesday. The Ilford-born full-back made his debut in a 2-1 win over Dagenham & Redbridge, sealed thanks to Junior Agogo's 90th-minute strike.

Though his initial stay would last just four matches, Hendon returned six months later - via a seven-game sojourn at Peterborough United - and it is evident speaking now just how much the club still means to a man who served as a player, coach, caretaker and eventually manager.

"I remember going there on loan from Sheffield Wednesday and ended up finding a place where it feels like home," he said warmly. "It is very tight-knit there and the supporters are great - you virtually end up knowing them all by name and I still speak to some of the supporters now. It was towards the end of my career but they were great times."

Signed by Peter Shreeves initially, under whom he had worked at first club Tottenham Hotspur and later with the Owls, Hendon would also serve under current boss Martin Allen before Fairclough succeeded Allen following his defection to Brentford.

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"Paul Fairclough had different ways about him to other managers in my career," mused Hendon. "He was a bit more calculated after games than other managers at that time. He would come in and say 'don't worry about it, lads,' if we had lost. 'We'll pick it up next week, not to worry.' In a way it was a good trait to have. He listened to his players and let the players have their say too.

He added: "You take bits and pieces from everyone you work under and if you pick up bits and pieces from everyone it does help."

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Hendon is still in touch with the top-scorer during the 2004/05 season and the man signed as part of the deal which saw Agogo - scorer on Hendon's debut against the Daggers - move to Bristol Rovers from Underhill in 2003, the inimitable Grazioli.

But the 43-year-old admits it is more a case of making acquaintances rather than lasting friends in football, though he remains in contact with current boss Allen.

"I have spoken to Martin Allen a couple of times when he has been on the look-out for loans he rings up and has a little chat," explained Hendon. "I wish them all the best on Saturday. It is a shame I can't be there because I would loved to have been but obviously we have got our game [at Queens Park Rangers on Saturday]."