Glen Southam: Klinsmann’s an inspiration, he was always at our house

The midfielder was a member of the Tottenham Academy in 1994, when Sir Alan Sugar persuaded the Germany striker to swap the sunnier climes of Monaco for life at White Hart Lane.

More importantly, Southam's father, Mick, was Spurs' first-team security officer — a job which in practice meant being chauffeur and confidante to the club's new arrivals. And that meant the Southams had a surreal year when Klinsmann became part of their family.

"When Jurgen arrived he was staying in a hotel and looking for a house to live in, so he was always round at ours," said the 30-year-old.

"My dad's job was to look after him and make him feel as welcome as possible. Jurgen and his wife, Debbie, even spent Christmas Day with our family back in 1994, giving us all presents.

"We were used to seeing his little Beetle pulling up outside. One day I was playing football with the other kids on my estate, so he just came out and joined us for a kickabout. He was an absolute gentleman and a real professional. To have someone like that to look up to at such a young age was fantastic, seeing the way he always went to the gym after training and just did a little bit extra every time.

"I did ask for some advice but I just wish I knew then what I do now. I was only 14 and if I had the chance again I would ask him 100 more questions than I did."

Southam may rue not making the most of that opportunity but his one real regret from football centres on his exit from Spurs.

Two years after Klinsmann left for Bayern Munich, Southam's dad was sacked by the club. The midfielder responded by walking out, embarking on a career that has seen him tour the lower leagues, with spells at Bishop's Stortford and Dagenham & Redbridge eventually leading him to Underhill.

It means that he is now in the position of senior pro, handing out advice to the youngsters around him. It also leaves him able to view Barnet's current position — second bottom of League Two with just nine points from 12 games — with some perspective.

"I didn't feel comfortable at Spurs after my dad left and I was possibly a little naive by walking out," he said. "That is my one regret in football. I went to Fulham and did the second year of my YTS there before I was released and ended up at Bishop's Stortford. I had four fantastic years there before going to Dagenham and had a wonderful spell with them as we climbed the leagues.

"I see a lot of similarities between Dagenham and Barnet. Barnet have more experience of being in League football and Dagenham are punching above their weight by being in League One but this is a fantastic little club.

"We have more going for us than the majority of League Two clubs. Our training facilities at the Hive are top notch and the foundations are there for us to push on under Mark Stimson, who is a great manager.

"Barnet were nearly relegated last season but when I joined from Histon in the summer I never thought that consolidation was the aim this campaign. I'm a positive person and I thought we could get into the play-offs. I still do."

Yet the focus must first be on securing the club's future in the Football League. As Southam, who replaced Anwar Uddin as skipper this week, points out, injuries have decimated the side but the League table doesn't lie.

And that makes Saturday's home clash with mid-table Macclesfield all the more crucial.

"In terms of our position you might think the situation has been disheartening but there hasn't been much lacking from our performances," said Southam.

"We have to make our own luck but if we keep going as we have been then we will turn it around.

"And for me, all I've wanted to be is a footballer so I could achieve my dreams.
Realistically, I haven't done that, even though I've really enjoyed my career and to be playing at the level I am. But I still have the ambition to play at a higher level. Even though we're in the relegation zone, why can't that be with Barnet?"