Living under the constraints of low budgets and no home has made things very difficult, but Gary's cheerfulness and positivity has shone through. There have been some great days, probably the highlights being the two London Senior Cup successes and possibly even more the FA Cup run in 2012–13, with the defeats of Eastbourne Borough in a replay and then Corby Town, before the narrow loss to Aldershot Town in the first round proper.

But there have been many, many more of the really good days than the very bad ones. Among my personal highlights, apart from the ones mentioned above, are two cup wins at AFC Wimbledon (League Cup in 2005 and London Senior Cup semi-final in 2012), the stunning 5-4 League win against Wealdstone at Northwood in 2005, the 3-2 comeback win over Tonbridge in 2007, followed later that year by the utterly surreal 11-1 victory at Leyton (whose goalscorer that day, Billy Bricknell, played against Hendon in the FA Cup 1st round proper for Chelmsford City and for Ebbsfleet United in the FA Trophy earlier this season).

Another positive side-effect of Gary's playing-style policy is that he has attracted fierce loyalty from his players. Almost 20 players have made more than 100 appearances for Hendon under Gary, and many have gone on to pass 200. If you were to ask me who my favourite Hendon player of the Gary McCann era, it would be an easy question to answer: Darren Currie, a player I signed as a 16-year in 1992 (along with Scott McGleish). I exclude from the selection both Bontcho Guentchev and a successor as player-coach, Junior Lewis, because both were predominantly coaches who made odd appearances. Darren was just the ultimate professional, a great bloke, and a still a fantastic footballer, even at 39. His linking with current coach Scott Cousins was a joy to watch in that 2011-12 season.

In closing, I just want to say a huge thank you to Gary, not only for the beautiful football we have played over most of the past 10 years, but for the great football chats we have had during this time. Football doesn't have enough gentlemen, but, Gary, you are certainly one of them!