AS Wanderers' chief executive Des McBain prepares to step down, his place taken by Simon Marland, he reflects on his 34 years in football with BEN chief soccer writer Gordon Sharrock.

THE lecturer who couldn't understand why one of his students was giving up a 'safe' career in the civil service for a precarious position in the 'volatile' business of football management was clearly not the most astute judge of character.

The year was 1966, the civil servant in question was Des McBain and the job he had just taken was secretary of Blackpool Football Club.

Thirty-four years on - the last 22 as secretary then chief executive of Bolton Wanderers - the man whose career-change caused such consternation at that 'night school' class at Warrington College, is not only one of the longest serving but also one of the most respected administrators in football

So esteemed that, when he turns 65 and 'retires' next month, he will continue to influence events at the Reebok and among the hierarchy of the Football League.

"That lecturer couldn't believe I was leaving an occupation with so many guarantees for a job in football," Mr McBain recalls. "He actually stood up and told the rest of the class that he couldn't understand why I was doing it!

"But I'd had the offer from Blackpool and the prospect of working in football excited me. It still does - even after 34 years - but it's time I handed over to a younger man.

"I'll still be around to lend my advice, if it is wanted. I also have projects I'm going to be involved in, much the same as Teddy Rothwell did when he stood down and I took over as secretary in 1978. I found his experience invaluable."

Wanderers place such value on his knowledge and experience that they have given him a seat on the board and are hoping that their voice will be increasingly heard - through him - in the corridors of power. He is already on the shadow board of the Football League and sits on the FA's Academy Directors' Licensing Committee.

Having seen the game develop from the cottage industry it was in the Sixties, when Blackpool's directors even shunned perimeter advertising, to the multi-million pound business it is today, few administrators are more qualified than Des.

"There was no TV money, no sponsorship and the Blackpool directors thought advertising hoardings would detract from the clean cut lines of the perimeter fences!" he recalls.

"The maximum wage had just been abolished but we could still retain players' registrations. Freedom of contract changed all that and, of course, the Bosman ruling has been another development in favour of players.

"Football has had to change its ideas and views. I'm not saying players shouldn't earn what they do - they are entertainers - but it has certainly caused serious financial problems which clubs have had to deal with.

"When I came into the game there were no financial problems. Every club made a little profit and, if it looked as if you were making a bit too much one year, you'd buy a player to avoid paying tax!"

Having built his reputation in 12 years at Blackpool, he was head-hunted by Wanderers - and didn't think twice.

"I always felt, and still do, that Bolton Wanderers was the largest town team in the North-west - the team with the greatest potential.

"I know Blackburn have had the financial clout in recent years but that has been a one-off. Bolton could always hold its own with the big clubs - one of the original 12 and still one of the biggest clubs in the country.

"The club had been in the old Third Division while Blackpool had never been any lower than the Second at that time but I didn't consider it a risk coming here. I'd had other offers - some from the First Division - but I didn't think they suited me. Bolton did."

Down the years, Wanderers had built a reputation for doing things by the book and throughout his time in office Des McBain has upheld that philosophy.

"Sometimes it's been to the detriment of the club but we have always prided ourselves in doing things properly," he explains. "Because of the way the board works and the club works, Bolton Wanderers is held in high esteem by the FA and the Football League and is respected in football in general.

"What goes around comes around and I think there have been times we have been looked upon favourably, when perhaps we have needed a sympathetic hearing ...! We have always respected the problems encountered by the League and the FA in administering the game, which is becoming increasingly difficult."

The 1987 relegation after the 'old-style' play-off defeat by Aldershot ranks as the all-time low of his time as Wanderers' chief administrator and the 1995 Coca-Cola Cup Final against Liverpool the high point.

But his part in Wanderers' transfer from Burnden Park to the Reebok Stadium must go down as the most satisfying achievement of his tenure.

"What was a dream became a reality," he reflects. "I'm so pleased and privileged to have been able to help in creating this magnificent stadium, which is the envy of everybody in football.

" I understand the feelings people had for Burnden Park. It was 'home' to me for 19 years but it was a tired home and was becoming impossible to keep in order. We had to start again and create something for future generations of Bolton Wanderers' supporters.

"We've always done our best for the fans - that's something I have always impressed on the staff here."

With characteristic modesty, Des shuns personal glorification and insists on praising the staff who have assisted him, the managers he has worked alongside ("there isn't one who hasn't done his bit in progressing the club to where it is today") and the directors he has worked for ("all devoted Bolton Wanderers supporters themselves").

But, in particular, he thanks his nearest and dearest: "I couldn't have done the job for 34 years without the help of my wife and family.

"My passport has always been there, ready for me to hop on a flight at short notice for some deal or other - and the family has always accepted that. I was born in Sunderland but I've made my home in Bolton and my daughters have made their homes here too.

"We are a Bolton family and Bolton Wanderers is our club. It always will be."