Paul Fairclough will stand down as manager of Barnet Football Club immediately after the fixture at Bournemouth tomorrow, just short of five years since he took over in March 2004. Ian Hendon will be in charge from Monday.

Paul has been appointed a director of the club and, with effect from next week, will become the Chief Executive of Barnet Sports Development encompassing the new academy and new state-of-the-arts training facilities at the 44-acre Prince Edward development at Canons Park due to be completed next close season. He will continue with his role as manager of the England C team.

The announcement, originally due to be made later this season, has been brought forward at his request. He has decided to stand down now to enable a new manager to be appointed and bring in a couple of new faces in the January transfer window.

The 58-year-old Liverpool-born manager, one of the longest serving managers in the League, guided Barnet back into the Football League as runaway Conference champions in his first season in charge and has since consolidated the side in League 2. He has twice led the Bees into the fourth round of The FA Cup for the first time in their history and to the third round of the Carling Cup (against Manchester United), also for the first time.

Fairclough, who will help in the search for his successor, said: "The most important issue during this difficult period is the success of the team. Having worked equally as hard this season, if not harder, it just has not happened on the pitch. Consequently, if my standing down helps thrust the team then it will be worthwhile. In football it is ultimately the manager who pays the price for poor results. My chairman has been supportive but I will not allow him to suffer on my behalf any longer. I am of course regretful and also sad that my reign as manager has come to a premature end.

"The position offered has always been in place for the end of my managerial contract. However, with the escalation in the development of Prince Edward and the poor results, now will be the most effective time for this to take place.

"I will lead the team for the last time at Bournemouth this Sunday. I have loved every second of my time as manager and look forward to my new role in helping the club to grow. I am very grateful for all the encouragement from supporters that I have received during my time and in particular during this difficult period. My players and staff, I believe, have given me their best efforts. Finally, my greatest thanks are reserved for my three girls, Sharon, Laura and Becky, my Mum and my son-in-law Jon, they have laughed and cried with me all the way."

Dennis Signy