Appointed in March of 2004 by a club in exile from the Football League, Fairclough was amazed to discover that four years in his post was enough to rank him among England's top 10 longest-serving managers.

Leeds United's John McGovern talks about Brian Clough era: Click here for full interview.

The 58-year-old Liverpudlian is a personality about whom the majority of English supporters may know little but his reign at Underhill placed him among stellar company.

At present, Fairclough is ninth in the League Managers Association's roll of long-staying coaches, behind a select group which includes Sir Alex Ferguson, Arsene Wenger, Steve Coppell and David Moyes. Beneath the Premier League, only four managers have been tied to their respective clubs for longer than him.

It is, Fairclough suggests, a "shocking indictment" of the chop-and-change mentality of so many clubs.

Barnet host Leeds United at Underhill tomorrow and as Gary McAllister begins the fortnight leading up to his first full season as United's manager, Fairclough is unlikely agree with anyone who argues that Leeds promotion should be a foregone conclusion next term.

McAllister took charge of 20 of United's matches last term and came agonisingly close to grasping a place in the Championship, but it would still be fair to describe the Scot as relatively new to his current position.

Taken on by Leeds at the end of January, tomorrow's friendly marks six months since his appointment at Elland Road, a period of time that Fairclough would probably describe as an introduction.

Barnet's manager is firmly installed on the side of the fence from which it is argued that pressure placed on professional managers is often detrimental to the success of their clubs.

"I'm coming up to my fifth season at Barnet, and I was astonished to find that I was one of the 10 longest-serving managers last season," Fairclough said.

"That's a shocking indictment of our profession, and managers in this country come under pressure too quickly and too easily.

"At Barnet, I've been given time to lay down my own plans and put my own systems in place, and as far as I'm concerned we're improving year-on-year.

"In my first full season we were promoted back to the Football League, and then we finished 18th.

"Last season, we were in the top half of League Two. It's steady progress and I feel I'm able to do that because Barnet take a realistic approach to football.

"If a manager feels under huge pressure, they're never going to plan for the future.

"They'll spend the money they've got as soon as they get it and work in the here and now.

"That's not good for a club and it's not particularly good for the game to have so many managerial changes every year.

"Every season, most clubs set out looking for promotion. Not everyone can get it.