Kenny Allen (footballer)

Infobox Football biography
playername = Kenny Allen


fullname = Kenneth Richard Allen
dateofbirth = birth date and age|df=yes|1948|1|12
cityofbirth = Thornaby-on-Tees
countryofbirth = England
dateofdeath =
cityofdeath =
countryofdeath =
height =
nickname =
position = Goalkeeper
currentclub =
youthyears =
youthclubs =
years = ??-68
1968
1968-72
1972
1972-73
1973-78
1978-83
1983
1983
1983-84
1984-85
1985-86
1986-88
1988-89
1989
1989
clubs = Tow Law Town
Hartlepool United
Hellenic
West Bromwich Albion
Workington
Bath City
Bournemouth
Bury
Peterborough United
IFK Göteborg
Torquay United
Swindon Town
Torquay United
Bath City
Newport County
Torquay United
caps(goals) = ??
7
??
0
??
280
152
0
??
??
58
45
74
9
??
??
nationalyears =
nationalteam =
nationalcaps(goals) =
manageryears =
managerclubs =

Kenneth Richard Allen (born 12 January 1948) 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.

In August 1978, Allen joined Bournemouth, where he was make 152 league appearances, from Bath City. 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 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

External links

* [http://www.swindon-town-fc.co.uk/Person.asp?PersonID=ALLENKEN Player Profile] - Swindon-Town-FC.co.uk

Persondata
NAME=Allen, Kenny
ALTERNATIVE NAMES=Allen, Kenneth Richard
SHORT DESCRIPTION=Footballer
DATE OF BIRTH=12 January 1948
PLACE OF BIRTH=Thornaby, England
DATE OF DEATH=
PLACE OF DEATH=