Bradley Allen
Encyclopedia
Bradley James Allen is a former English
professional footballer
who played as a striker. He notably played for Queens Park Rangers
, Charlton Athletic
and Grimsby Town
. He also played as a professional for Colchester United
, Peterborough United
and Bristol Rovers
in a professional career that lasted from 1988 to 2003. After dropping out of the professional game he featured for both Hornchurch
and Redbridge
in the Non-League game.
in 1988 during the tenure of manager Jim Smith
, although Smith was replaced by Trevor Francis
mid way through Allen's first professional season. Over the coming years Allen went from strength to strength in the QPR side and began to see regular run outs in the first team. During the 1992-93 season which was the first season of the newly formed Premier League Allen managed to score two goals in 6 appearances, netting against both Chelsea
and Aston Villa
. Allen was eventually placed on the transfer list mid way through the 1995-96 season which would eventually see Rangers relegated from the Premiership, whilst at Loftus Road
he played alongside such players as Les Ferdinand
, Mark Hateley
, Ray Wilkins
and Trevor Sinclair
. He was most notably remembered for his time at QPR when he hit a hat-trick
against Everton
at Goodison Park
as QPR ran out 3-0 winners.
for a fee of £400,000. During the 1996-1997 season Allen featured 21 times for Athletic, scoring 6 goals. During the 1997-1998 season Allen lost his way in the team following the signing of prolific goal scorer Clive Mendonca
from Grimsby Town
and would only make 12 league appearances for Alan Curbishley
's side as The Addicks earned a first promotion to the Premiership. During the 1998-99 season Allen made only one outing for Athletic in an English League Cup game against former side QPR. He would not make a single league appearance for Charlton in the Premiership and instead was loaned out to Colchester United
in February 1999 where he would make 4 appearances, scoring 1 goal.
, who at the time plied their trade in the First Division. Allen was signed by Alan Buckley
to add to the already competitive striking ranks that included Jack Lester
, Steve Livingstone
and Lee Ashcroft
. Despite making his debut from the start against Stockport County
on the opening day of the 1999–2000 season, Allen initially played second fiddle to the favoured Lester and Ashcroft partnership. In January 2000, Lester was sold to Nottingham Forest
and Allen went on to become a regular in the Grimsby side. During 2000-01 he formed a brief but fruitful partnership with loanee striker David Nielsen
before the FC Copenhagen striker transferred to Wimbledon
on a permanent deal. During the 2001-02 season Allen initially saw his firm grip as the club's first choice forward slip to new signing Phil Jevons
and youngster Jonathan Rowan
. In September 2001 Allen was part of the side who dumped reigning League Cup champions and Premiership side Liverpool
out of the League Cup with a 2-1 victory at Anfield
. Grimsby's first goal in that game came following a Stuart Campbell
cross from the right which fell to Allen, who flung himself into a header that crashed off Reds defender Sami Hyppia and into the path of Marlon Broomes
, who smashed the ball home past Chris Kirkland
on the half volley. During this season Allen struck up a good striking relationship with Michael Boulding
despite not being used as much by new manager Paul Groves as he was under the tenure's of Alan Buckley
and Lennie Lawrence
. Allen's ability to hold the ball up and create goals for Boulding became a pinnacle turning point for Grimsby who went on to avoid relegation for third consecutive season. His time at Grimsby was frequently interrupted with injuries and at the end of the 2001-02 season Allen and Boulding both departed Blundell Park
with injury-struck Bradley released on a free transfer and Michael heading for Premiership Aston Villa
. Whilst a Grimsby player Allen made 92 appearances in all competitions, scoring 20 goals.
at Peterborough United
in the August 2003. Despite being hailed as marquee signing for the Second Division side, Allen struggled and after making 13 appearances in all competitions he was transfer list and had departed London Road
by November.
in November 2003 after only spending 4 months at Peterbough . Allen would only manage to make 10 appearances for Ray Graydon
's Rovers side and was released at the end of the 2002-03 season.
side Hornchurch
. Whilst with the club he was 1 of 12 professional players in a 30 man squad that dumped Football League side Darlington
out of the FA Cup
before being controversially knocked out in the second round following a televised home game with Tranmere Rovers
. However, Hornchurch despite there mini run in the FA Cup they found themselves in financial turmoil and Allen was one of many players released midway through the 2003-04 season.
in July 2004, and was reported to be on trial with Billericay Town
later that month.
.
and brother of Clive Allen
and the uncle of Oliver Allen. He is also the cousin of fellow footballer Paul Allen
footballer turned manager Martin Allen
.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
professional footballer
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
who played as a striker. He notably played for Queens Park Rangers
Queens Park Rangers F.C.
Queens Park Rangers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in White City, Hammersmith and Fulham, west London. As the 2010-11 Football League Championship champions, they now play in the top tier of English football the Premier League, for the first time in 15 years...
, Charlton Athletic
Charlton Athletic F.C.
Charlton Athletic Football Club is an English professional football club based in Charlton, in the London Borough of Greenwich. They compete in Football League One, the third tier of English football. The club was founded on 9 June 1905, when a number of youth clubs in the southeast London area,...
and Grimsby Town
Grimsby Town F.C.
Grimsby Town Football Club is an English football club based in the seaside town of Cleethorpes, in North East Lincolnshire, England, who compete in the Conference National. They were formed in 1878 as Grimsby Pelham and later became Grimsby Town...
. He also played as a professional for Colchester United
Colchester United F.C.
Colchester United Football Club is an English football club based in Colchester. The club was formed in 1937, and briefly shared their old Layer Road home with now defunct side Colchester Town who had previously used the ground from 1910....
, 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...
and Bristol Rovers
Bristol Rovers F.C.
Bristol Rovers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Bristol, that competes in Football League Two. The team plays its home matches at the Memorial Stadium, in the Horfield area of the city....
in a professional career that lasted from 1988 to 2003. After dropping out of the professional game he featured for both Hornchurch
Hornchurch F.C.
Hornchurch F.C. were an non-League football club based in east London. They played in the Conference South, after being promoted from the Isthmian League....
and Redbridge
Redbridge F.C.
Redbridge F.C. is an English Association football club based in the London Borough of Redbridge. Prior to July 2004 the club was known as Ford United F.C. The new name was chosen to help associate the club more within the local area and attract a larger support.They should not be confused with...
in the Non-League game.
Queens Park Rangers
Allen progressed into the professional game via the youth academy at Queens Park RangersQueens Park Rangers F.C.
Queens Park Rangers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in White City, Hammersmith and Fulham, west London. As the 2010-11 Football League Championship champions, they now play in the top tier of English football the Premier League, for the first time in 15 years...
in 1988 during the tenure of manager Jim Smith
Jim Smith (footballer)
James Michael "Jim" Smith is a retired English footballer and manager. As a player, he made 249 appearances in the Fourth Division of The Football League, representing Aldershot, Halifax Town, Lincoln City and Colchester United, and played for three-and-a-half years for Boston United of the...
, although Smith was replaced by Trevor Francis
Trevor Francis
Trevor John Francis , is a former footballer who won the European Cup with Nottingham Forest and played for England 52 times. He was England's first £1 million player...
mid way through Allen's first professional season. Over the coming years Allen went from strength to strength in the QPR side and began to see regular run outs in the first team. During the 1992-93 season which was the first season of the newly formed Premier League Allen managed to score two goals in 6 appearances, netting against both Chelsea
Chelsea F.C.
Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
and Aston Villa
Aston Villa F.C.
Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder...
. Allen was eventually placed on the transfer list mid way through the 1995-96 season which would eventually see Rangers relegated from the Premiership, whilst at Loftus Road
Loftus Road
Loftus Road is a football stadium in Shepherd's Bush, London. It is home to the English football team Queens Park Rangers of the Premier League and has a capacity of around 18,500. The four stands are called the Loftus Road End , Ellerslie Road Stand, South Africa Road Stand and the School End,...
he played alongside such players as Les Ferdinand
Les Ferdinand
Leslie "Les" Ferdinand MBE is a former English footballer. His playing career included spells at Queens Park Rangers, Besiktas J.K., Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham United and Bolton Wanderers F.C., during which period he earned a number of appearances for England...
, Mark Hateley
Mark Hateley
Mark Wayne Hateley is a retired English football player who played as a centre-forward. He was capped 32 times for the English national team , and played in top-level football leagues in England, Italy, France and Scotland...
, Ray Wilkins
Ray Wilkins
Raymond Colin Wilkins MBE , often known as "Butch" Wilkins, is an English former footballer and at present a television pundit...
and Trevor Sinclair
Trevor Sinclair
Trevor Lloyd Sinclair is an English former professional footballer. Sinclair was a versatile winger, able to play on both the left and right flanks who played in the Premier League and made twelve appearances for the England national team.He retired in 2008, after a nineteen-year professional...
. He was most notably remembered for his time at QPR when he hit a hat-trick
Hat-trick
A hat-trick or hat trick in sport is the achievement of a positive feat three times during a game, or other achievements based on threes. The term was first used in 1858 in cricket to describe HH Stephenson's feat of taking three wickets in three balls. A collection was held for Stephenson, and he...
against Everton
Everton F.C.
Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football...
at Goodison Park
Goodison Park
Goodison Park is a football stadium located in Walton, Liverpool, England. The stadium has been home to Everton F.C. since its completion in 1892 and is one of the world's first purpose-built football grounds...
as QPR ran out 3-0 winners.
Charlton Athletic
In March 1996 Allen was transferred to Charlton AthleticCharlton Athletic F.C.
Charlton Athletic Football Club is an English professional football club based in Charlton, in the London Borough of Greenwich. They compete in Football League One, the third tier of English football. The club was founded on 9 June 1905, when a number of youth clubs in the southeast London area,...
for a fee of £400,000. During the 1996-1997 season Allen featured 21 times for Athletic, scoring 6 goals. During the 1997-1998 season Allen lost his way in the team following the signing of prolific goal scorer Clive Mendonca
Clive Mendonca
Clive Paul Mendonca is an English former professional footballer, who played as a striker between 1986 and 2002 notably for Grimsby Town and Charlton Athletic...
from Grimsby Town
Grimsby Town F.C.
Grimsby Town Football Club is an English football club based in the seaside town of Cleethorpes, in North East Lincolnshire, England, who compete in the Conference National. They were formed in 1878 as Grimsby Pelham and later became Grimsby Town...
and would only make 12 league appearances for Alan Curbishley
Alan Curbishley
Llewellyn Charles "Alan" Curbishley is an English football manager and former professional player....
's side as The Addicks earned a first promotion to the Premiership. During the 1998-99 season Allen made only one outing for Athletic in an English League Cup game against former side QPR. He would not make a single league appearance for Charlton in the Premiership and instead was loaned out to Colchester United
Colchester United F.C.
Colchester United Football Club is an English football club based in Colchester. The club was formed in 1937, and briefly shared their old Layer Road home with now defunct side Colchester Town who had previously used the ground from 1910....
in February 1999 where he would make 4 appearances, scoring 1 goal.
Grimsby Town
Allen was placed on the transfer list and transferred on a free transfer to Grimsby TownGrimsby Town F.C.
Grimsby Town Football Club is an English football club based in the seaside town of Cleethorpes, in North East Lincolnshire, England, who compete in the Conference National. They were formed in 1878 as Grimsby Pelham and later became Grimsby Town...
, who at the time plied their trade in the First Division. Allen was signed by Alan Buckley
Alan Buckley
Alan Peter Buckley is an English football manager. He was manager of League Two side Grimsby Town until his dismissal in September 2008...
to add to the already competitive striking ranks that included Jack Lester
Jack Lester
Jack William Lester is an English professional footballer, currently playing for English Football League One side Chesterfield. He plays either as a striker or an attacking midfielder...
, Steve Livingstone
Steve Livingstone
Stephen "Steve" Livingstone is an English former footballer who played between 1986 and 2004 notably for Grimsby Town...
and Lee Ashcroft
Lee Ashcroft
Lee Ashcroft is a former footballer turned manager who is currently managing Northern Premier League side Kendal Town. In his playing career he played as a striker for Preston North End, West Bromwich Albion and Grimsby Town, having also played for Notts County, Wigan Athletic, Port Vale,...
. Despite making his debut from the start against Stockport County
Stockport County F.C.
Stockport County Football Club is an English football club based in Stockport, Greater Manchester. The club formed in 1883 as Heaton Norris Rovers, shortly afterwards merging with Heaton Norris F.C., and adopted the current name on 24 May 1890 on the creation of the County Borough of Stockport...
on the opening day of the 1999–2000 season, Allen initially played second fiddle to the favoured Lester and Ashcroft partnership. In January 2000, Lester was sold to Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest F.C.
Nottingham Forest Football Club is an English Association Football club based in West Bridgford, Nottingham, that plays in the Football League Championship...
and Allen went on to become a regular in the Grimsby side. During 2000-01 he formed a brief but fruitful partnership with loanee striker David Nielsen
David Nielsen (footballer)
David Jean Nielsen is a Danish retired football player.He has played for a number of Danish clubs, as well as Fortuna Düsseldorf in Germany and English clubs Grimsby Town, Wimbledon and Norwich City. His greatest triumph was the 1997 Danish Cup victory, which he won with Danish club F.C. Copenhagen...
before the FC Copenhagen striker transferred to Wimbledon
Wimbledon F.C.
Wimbledon Football Club was an English professional association football club from Wimbledon, south-west London. Founded in 1889 as Wimbledon Old Central Football Club, the club spent most of its history in amateur and semi-professional non-League football before being elected to the Football...
on a permanent deal. During the 2001-02 season Allen initially saw his firm grip as the club's first choice forward slip to new signing Phil Jevons
Phil Jevons
Phillip "Phil" Jevons is an English football player who currently plays for Football League Two side Morecambe. He is notably remembered for scoring a last minute 45 yard extra time winning goal for Grimsby Town against his home town club Liverpool in the third round of the League Cup in 2001...
and youngster Jonathan Rowan
Jonathan Rowan
Jonathan Robert "Jonny" Rowan is a former English professional footballer. He notably played in the Football League for his home town club Grimsby Town, having also played for Kidderminster Harriers, Kettering Town, Gainsborough Trinity, Boston Town and Boston United.He currently runs his own...
. In September 2001 Allen was part of the side who dumped reigning League Cup champions and Premiership side Liverpool
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
out of the League Cup with a 2-1 victory at Anfield
Anfield
Anfield is an association football stadium in the district of Anfield, Liverpool, England, with a seating capacity of 45,522. It has been the home of Liverpool F.C. since their formation in 1892 and was originally the home of Everton F.C. from 1884 to 1892, before they moved to Goodison Park...
. Grimsby's first goal in that game came following a Stuart Campbell
Stuart Campbell (footballer)
Stuart Pearson Campbell is an English-born Scottish professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Football League Two side Bristol Rovers. He has previously played for Leicester City, Birmingham City and Grimsby Town. At international level, he won 15 caps for the Scotland under-21...
cross from the right which fell to Allen, who flung himself into a header that crashed off Reds defender Sami Hyppia and into the path of Marlon Broomes
Marlon Broomes
Marlon Charles Broomes is an English professional footballer. His natural position is at centre-back or as a sweeper , although he can also play at left-back as well...
, who smashed the ball home past Chris Kirkland
Chris Kirkland
Christopher Edmund "Chris" Kirkland is an English footballer who currently plays as a goalkeeper for Wigan Athletic in the Premier League. He also has one cap for the England national team....
on the half volley. During this season Allen struck up a good striking relationship with Michael Boulding
Michael Boulding
Michael Thomas Boulding is an English professional footballer. He can play as a forward or as a winger, and had previously been a promising young tennis player, ranking among the top 20 players in Britain...
despite not being used as much by new manager Paul Groves as he was under the tenure's of Alan Buckley
Alan Buckley
Alan Peter Buckley is an English football manager. He was manager of League Two side Grimsby Town until his dismissal in September 2008...
and Lennie Lawrence
Lennie Lawrence
Robin Michael Lawrence, commonly known as Lennie Lawrence, is a British football manager who is assistant manager of Crystal Palace. He has managed a number of English clubs and one Welsh club in a coaching career spanning over 30 years...
. Allen's ability to hold the ball up and create goals for Boulding became a pinnacle turning point for Grimsby who went on to avoid relegation for third consecutive season. His time at Grimsby was frequently interrupted with injuries and at the end of the 2001-02 season Allen and Boulding both departed Blundell Park
Blundell Park
Blundell Park is a football ground in Cleethorpes, North East Lincolnshire, England and home to Grimsby Town Football Club. The stadium was built in 1898, but only one of the original stands remain. The current capacity of the ground is 9546, though with the introduction of all seating in the late...
with injury-struck Bradley released on a free transfer and Michael heading for Premiership Aston Villa
Aston Villa F.C.
Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder...
. Whilst a Grimsby player Allen made 92 appearances in all competitions, scoring 20 goals.
Peterborough United
Following Allen's release from Grimsby he joined Barry FryBarry Fry
Barry Francis Fry is an English football manager. A former Manchester United apprentice as a winger, his playing career involved brief spells with Bolton Wanderers, Luton Town and Leyton Orient, before he retired prematurely due to injury.He has managed Dunstable Town, Bedford Town, Maidstone...
at 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...
in the August 2003. Despite being hailed as marquee signing for the Second Division side, Allen struggled and after making 13 appearances in all competitions he was transfer list and had departed London Road
London Road
-England:There are countless London Roads in the UK. Only those significant outside their local area are listed here:* London Road, Brighton; for which a railway station is named* London Road, Guildford; for which a railway station is named...
by November.
Bristol Rovers
Bradley Allen signed for Bristol RoversBristol Rovers F.C.
Bristol Rovers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Bristol, that competes in Football League Two. The team plays its home matches at the Memorial Stadium, in the Horfield area of the city....
in November 2003 after only spending 4 months at Peterbough . Allen would only manage to make 10 appearances for Ray Graydon
Ray Graydon
Ray Graydon is an English football manager and retired football player. He was recently employed as First Team Coach of Championship team, Leicester City while Rob Kelly was manager during the 2005-06 season.-Playing career:...
's Rovers side and was released at the end of the 2002-03 season.
Hornchurch
In the September 2003 following trials with a number of teams, Allen went on to sign for Isthmian LeagueIsthmian League
The Isthmian League is a regional football league covering London and South East England featuring semi-professional and amateur clubs. It is sponsored by Ryman, and therefore officially known as the Ryman League. It was founded in 1905 by amateur clubs in the London area...
side Hornchurch
Hornchurch F.C.
Hornchurch F.C. were an non-League football club based in east London. They played in the Conference South, after being promoted from the Isthmian League....
. Whilst with the club he was 1 of 12 professional players in a 30 man squad that dumped Football League side Darlington
Darlington F.C.
Darlington Football Club is a professional association football club based in Darlington, County Durham, currently playing in the Conference National. The club was founded in 1883, and originally played its games at Feethams, before moving to the Darlington Arena in 2003...
out of the FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
before being controversially knocked out in the second round following a televised home game with Tranmere Rovers
Tranmere Rovers F.C.
Tranmere Rovers Football Club are an English team based in Birkenhead, Wirral. The club currently compete in League One, the third tier of the English football league system...
. However, Hornchurch despite there mini run in the FA Cup they found themselves in financial turmoil and Allen was one of many players released midway through the 2003-04 season.
Redbridge
Allen briefly signed for fellow Isthmian League side Ford United towards the end of the 2003-04 season. He was released just before the club renamed itself RedbridgeRedbridge F.C.
Redbridge F.C. is an English Association football club based in the London Borough of Redbridge. Prior to July 2004 the club was known as Ford United F.C. The new name was chosen to help associate the club more within the local area and attract a larger support.They should not be confused with...
in July 2004, and was reported to be on trial with Billericay Town
Billericay Town F.C.
Billericay Town Football Club are an English football club based in Billericay, Essex, who currently play in the Isthmian League Premier Division....
later that month.
Tottenham Hotspur
After hanging his playing boots up in 2004, Allen has been working as the under-15s coach at Tottenham HotspurTottenham Hotspur F.C.
Tottenham Hotspur Football Club , commonly referred to as Spurs, is an English Premier League football club based in Tottenham, north London. The club's home stadium is White Hart Lane....
.
Family
Allen is the younger son of Les AllenLes Allen
Leslie William Allen is a former English footballer and manager.As a player, 16 year-old Les Allen made his senior football debut in February 1953 for Briggs Sports in an unforgettable FA Amateur cup quarter final tie at Victoria Road, Dagenham against the holders Pegasus, the great amateur team...
and brother of Clive Allen
Clive Allen
Clive Darren Allen is a retired English footballer, a prolific scorer for a number of clubs.Allen is the son of ex-Tottenham Hotspur forward Les Allen, who was a member of the legendary team which won the First Division title and FA Cup "double" in 1961...
and the uncle of Oliver Allen. He is also the cousin of fellow footballer Paul Allen
Paul Allen (footballer)
Paul Kevin Allen is an English former footballer who played as a midfielder in the Football League for West Ham United, Tottenham Hotspur, Southampton, Luton Town, Stoke City, Swindon Town, Bristol City and Millwall in the 1980s and 1990s...
footballer turned manager Martin Allen
Martin Allen
Martin James Allen is a former football player and current manager of Notts County. He played more than 100 games for each Queens Park Rangers and West Ham United before finishing his playing career with Portsmouth and Southend United. Five years later, he took his first job in management, at...
.
External links
- Interview on PFA site about being out of contract
- Profile at UpThePosh! The Peterborough United Database