With 246 goals to his name, Mark Stein is not your average football physiotherapist.

He was as talented as many other strikers around during a 19-year career that saw him play for 10 different clubs.

Now Barnet have given him an opportunity to make his breakthrough in the medical world.

Stein said: "I loved playing football. The thrill of scoring a goal simply cannot be matched.

"But for the final three years of my career I began to think about what I'd do after I'd hung up my boots.

"I'd always been interested in the work of physios, and I'd spent quite a bit of time with them over the years.

"So when I stopped playing at 37, I decided that was what I would try to do."

He retired in 2003 after leaving Dagenham & Redbridge, and immediately began his study on a full-time three-year university course.

He said: "It was so difficult. To sit there and study for so many hours was so different from the days I'd spent on the training pitch scoring goals and working on tactics.

"But I knew I had to focus and that eventually I would get my rewards."

His break back into the football world came at the end of the 2006/07 season.

Barnet's regular physio was ill, and manager Paul Fairclough decided to give Stein an opportunity.

The former Stoke forward added: "I was so nervous before my first game.  Within two minutes our defender, Ian Hendon, was elbowed and I was involved. That was when my new job really sunk in."

At the start of the last campaign Fairclough offered Stein the role on a full-time basis.

He added: "I knew I could not turn it down. It could be the only chance I ever got.

"I have a lot of responsibility here at Barnet. We have a small squad, so it is vital that I get players fit as soon as possible But at the same time I must be careful not to rush them back.

"When I was a player I would only really think about what I was doing, but now I'm sat up at night thinking about the whole team.

"People wonder if I get tempted to talk the forwards through what they should be doing, but I don't. That's not in my remit here so I leave it to the coaches.

"The squad have definitely helped me make the transition from player to physio - and I thank them."

Things have gone well for Stein, as he has just signed a new two-year contract to remain at Underhill.

He went on: "I've got a great team working with me and I love it. I may not be a hero to the fans, as I was when I was scoring goals.

"But the satisfaction I get of helping these players and the whole club from behind the scenes is almost as great.

"If we can keep a fit squad this season then we can push for the Play-Offs. So all the pressure is on me!"