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Kenny Allen (footballer)
Encyclopedia
Kenneth Richard Allen in Thornaby-on-Tees
is a retired English professional football goalkeeper
.
Kenny Allen began his career as an amateur with Hartlepool United, who he joined in August 1968 from non-league Tow Law Town, a side later to produce Chris Waddle
. He played only 7 league games for Hartlepool, before leaving, turning up next at South African side Hellenic. In December 1972 he returned to England, signing for West Bromwich Albion, but left without appearing in their league side.
He had a spell with Workington before joining Bath City
in July 1973. He made nearly 300 appearances for Bath over the next five years.
In August 1978, Allen joined Bournemouth
, where he was make 152 league appearances. In 1983 he signed for Bury
on non-contract terms, but failed to make the first team, and in December 1983 he joined Peterborough United
, playing only once in the Associate Members Cup at home to Wrexham
. Peterborough proved to be an unhappy place for Allen a couple years later when, as a Torquay player, he was attacked on the pitch by Peterborough 'fans'.
From Peterborough, he moved to Sweden, playing for IFK Göteborg
, before joining Torquay United on a free transfer in March 1984, taking over from John Turner
as first choice goalkeeper, making his début in a 2-1 defeat away to Hartlepool United on the 17th of March.
In September 1985, he left Plainmoor
to join Swindon Town again on a free transfer. He played 40 league games the following season as Swindon won the Fourth Division title, but early the following season he lost his place to Fraser Digby
, only playing a further 5 league games, before being transferred back to Torquay in December 1986 as a replacement for John Smeulders.
By now his grey hair and moustache made him instantly recognisable and he helped Torquay to remain in league football, playing in the first great escape when Torquay drew 2-2 with Crewe Alexandra at Plainmoor thanks to a late equaliser from Paul Dobson
and help from the police dog Bryn biting Jim McNichol
ensuring that injury time would be required. The following season, he was an ever-present as Cyril Knowles
' side made the play-offs, but was released in the summer, joining Bath City
in July 1988. He began the season as a regular, but after only nine games, broke his leg while conceding a penalty against Dorchester Town
. He regained his fitness, but was released in February 1989.
He moved on to recently relegated Newport County
, but as Newport folded and failed to complete their Conference season, he returned to Torquay for a third time in April 1989 to cover for the injured Ken Veysey
and played at Wembley in the final of the Sherpa Van Trophy Final as Torquay's only other professional keeper Mark Coombe
was cup-tied. He retired from football in June 1989 to work for the Post Office.
In May 2001, the Torquay Herald Express reported that Allen was living in Paignton
, captaining Chudleigh
cricket team and working as an ambulance driver for the South & West Devon Health Authority
Thornaby-on-Tees
Thornaby-on-Tees is a town and civil parish within the Borough of Stockton-on-Tees, in the ceremonial county of North Yorkshire, England. It is on the south bank of the River Tees, three miles southeast of Stockton-on-Tees, and four miles southwest of Middlesbrough town centre and has a...
is a retired English professional football goalkeeper
Goalkeeper (football)
In association football, the goalkeeper occupies a position that represents the last line of defence between the opponent's offence and his own team's goal. The primary role of the goalkeeper is to defend his team's goal and prevent the opposition from scoring a goal...
.
Kenny Allen began his career as an amateur with Hartlepool United, who he joined in August 1968 from non-league Tow Law Town, a side later to produce Chris Waddle
Chris Waddle
Christopher Roland "Chris" Waddle is a former footballer from England. He played for a number of clubs in the 1980s and 90s, including Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur and Sheffield Wednesday in England, and Olympique de Marseille in France...
. He played only 7 league games for Hartlepool, before leaving, turning up next at South African side Hellenic. In December 1972 he returned to England, signing for West Bromwich Albion, but left without appearing in their league side.
He had a spell with Workington before joining Bath City
Bath City F.C.
Bath City Football Club are a semi-professional football club based in Bath, Somerset. They play in the Conference National league after gaining promotion from the Conference South via the play-offs in May 2010...
in July 1973. He made nearly 300 appearances for Bath over the next five years.
In August 1978, Allen joined Bournemouth
A.F.C. Bournemouth
A.F.C. Bournemouth is an English football club currently playing in Football League One. The club plays at Dean Court in Kings Park, Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset and have been in existence since 1899....
, where he was make 152 league appearances. In 1983 he signed for Bury
Bury F.C.
Bury Football Club is an association football team based in Bury, Greater Manchester. The team currently play in League One. The club's nickname is The Shakers which was bestowed upon them by club chairman JT Ingham, an industrialist and ironmonger of the late 1890s.-Formation of the club and the...
on non-contract terms, but failed to make the first team, and in December 1983 he joined Peterborough United
Peterborough United F.C.
Peterborough United Football Club are a professional English football club based in Peterborough. Peterborough United formed in 1934 and played in the old Midland League, which they won six times; eventually being admitted to the Football League in 1960, replacing Gateshead. Their home ground is...
, playing only once in the Associate Members Cup at home to Wrexham
Wrexham A.F.C.
Wrexham Football Club are a professional football team based in Wrexham, north-east Wales, who play in the English football pyramid.Founded in 1872, they are one of the oldest surviving football clubs in Britain and the oldest professional club in Wales...
. Peterborough proved to be an unhappy place for Allen a couple years later when, as a Torquay player, he was attacked on the pitch by Peterborough 'fans'.
From Peterborough, he moved to Sweden, playing for IFK Göteborg
IFK Göteborg
IFK Göteborg is a Swedish professional football club based in Gothenburg. Founded in 1904, the club has won 18 national championship titles, five national cup titles, and two UEFA Cups....
, before joining Torquay United on a free transfer in March 1984, taking over from John Turner
John Turner (footballer born 1954)
John Graham Anthony Turner is a former professional footballer, who played in the Football League as a goalkeeper for Doncaster Rovers,Huddersfield Town, Reading, Torquay United, Chesterfield, and Peterborough United...
as first choice goalkeeper, making his début in a 2-1 defeat away to Hartlepool United on the 17th of March.
In September 1985, he left Plainmoor
Plainmoor
Plainmoor is a suburb of Torquay, Devon, but is best known as the name of the stadium in which Torquay United Football Club currently play.-History:...
to join Swindon Town again on a free transfer. He played 40 league games the following season as Swindon won the Fourth Division title, but early the following season he lost his place to Fraser Digby
Fraser Digby
Fraser Charles Digby is a retired goalkeeper who spent much of his career with Swindon Town, for whom he played in the Premier League...
, only playing a further 5 league games, before being transferred back to Torquay in December 1986 as a replacement for John Smeulders.
By now his grey hair and moustache made him instantly recognisable and he helped Torquay to remain in league football, playing in the first great escape when Torquay drew 2-2 with Crewe Alexandra at Plainmoor thanks to a late equaliser from Paul Dobson
Paul Dobson (footballer)
Paul Dobson is an English former professional football player. He was a prolific striker in the lower leagues during the 1980s and early 1990s, notably for Torquay United....
and help from the police dog Bryn biting Jim McNichol
Jim McNichol
Jim McNichol is a Scottish former footballer who is most noted for his career at Torquay United and Exeter City.-Playing career:An apprentice at Ipswich Town McNichol joined Luton Town in July 1976. He later played for Brentford, before moving on to Exeter City. In July 1986 he joined Torquay United...
ensuring that injury time would be required. The following season, he was an ever-present as Cyril Knowles
Cyril Knowles
Cyril Barry Knowles was a footballer who played full-back for Tottenham Hotspur and England. He was the brother of fellow professional footballer Peter Knowles.- Early career :...
' side made the play-offs, but was released in the summer, joining Bath City
Bath City F.C.
Bath City Football Club are a semi-professional football club based in Bath, Somerset. They play in the Conference National league after gaining promotion from the Conference South via the play-offs in May 2010...
in July 1988. He began the season as a regular, but after only nine games, broke his leg while conceding a penalty against Dorchester Town
Dorchester Town F.C.
Dorchester Town Football Club are a semi-professional football club, based in Dorchester, Dorset, England, and currently playing in the Blue Square Bet South...
. He regained his fitness, but was released in February 1989.
He moved on to recently relegated Newport County
Newport County A.F.C.
Newport County Association Football Club are a professional football club based in the city of Newport, south Wales, who currently play in the Conference National, the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system...
, but as Newport folded and failed to complete their Conference season, he returned to Torquay for a third time in April 1989 to cover for the injured Ken Veysey
Ken Veysey
Kenneth James Veysey is an English former professional football goalkeeper and is currently goalkeeping coach at Torquay United. He was born in Hackney, London.-Biography:...
and played at Wembley in the final of the Sherpa Van Trophy Final as Torquay's only other professional keeper Mark Coombe
Mark Coombe
Mark Andrew Coombe is a former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper for Football League clubs Colchester United and Torquay United, amongst many non-league teams.-External links:**...
was cup-tied. He retired from football in June 1989 to work for the Post Office.
In May 2001, the Torquay Herald Express reported that Allen was living in Paignton
Paignton
Paignton is a coastal town in Devon in England. Together with Torquay and Brixham it forms the unitary authority of Torbay which was created in 1998. The Torbay area is a holiday destination known as the English Riviera. Paignton's population in the United Kingdom Census of 2001 was 48,251. It has...
, captaining Chudleigh
Chudleigh
Chudleigh is a small town in Devon, England located between the towns of Newton Abbot and Exeter.Chudleigh is very close to the edge of Dartmoor and bypassed by the A38 road in 1972. It began life as a small wool market town, though the nearby Castle Dyke is an Iron Age Hill Fort which demonstrates...
cricket team and working as an ambulance driver for the South & West Devon Health Authority
External links
- Player Profile - Swindon-Town-FC.co.uk