Peter Shreeves, Barnet's new head coach, has made an impassioned plea for people to back the Bees.

Shreeves, the former Sheffield Wednesday manager, said: "Martin [new first team coach Martin Allen] and I need the support of the community.

"I've lived here most of my life and I am asking the people to get behind the team and support them as I know they can, starting with Saturday's game at Hayes. If the residents support the club, it will go from strength to strength."

Shreeves, a highly-rated coach, worked with Terry Venables and Glenn Hoddle at Spurs and Chelsea.

Allen, a former West Ham player, was first team coach at Reading under former Barnet player Alan Pardew.

Their agreement with Barnet will keep them at the club until the end of the season, when the situation will be reviewed.

"I've coached at all levels, including Stevenage, Barnet's Conference rivals," said Shreeves. "Barnet is a smashing club and we hope to get them back up in the Third Division.

"Last year they were going well but suffered a major dip. Now they've gone nine games without a win. Our first task is to restore the confidence of the players. We have two months to stabilise the situation and get more points through being positive."

Barnet chairman Tony Kleanthous said: "The team will only get better by the steps we have taken today. In Peter Shreeves and Martin Allen, we have the strongest management team we could expect."