Percy Allen (footballer) explained

Percy Allen
Fullname:Percy William Allen[1]
Birth Date:2 July 1895
Birth Place:West Ham, England
Death Date:[2]
Height:[3]
Position:Right half
Years1:1919–1923
Clubs1:West Ham United
Caps1:80
Goals1:5
Years2:1923–1925
Clubs2:Lincoln City
Caps2:59
Goals2:4
Years3:1925–1927
Clubs3:Northampton Town
Caps3:44
Goals3:4
Clubs4:Weymouth
Clubs5:Peterborough & Fletton United
Clubs6:Stamford Town

Percy William Allen (2 July 1895 – 21 October 1969) was an English professional footballer who played predominantly as a right half. He was born in West Ham, Essex.

A Lieutenant,[4] Allen served in the British Army during World War I, and played as an amateur before moving to West Ham United for the club's initial Division Two season. Having played for the club three times in the London Combination between December 1917 and October 1918, he made his full debut in a 2–1 home defeat to Birmingham on 1 November 1919,[5] at outside-right. He was also played at centre-forward, but became an ever-present at right-half during the 1921–22 season.[6] Allen lost his place in the team to Sid Bishop due to the reappearance of a blood ailment which he had suffered from during his time in the Army.[2]

Allen made 86 league and cup appearances for the Irons, scoring 5 goals.[5] He played his final competitive game for the club on 17 February 1923, against Barnsley.[7] He was part of the group that travelled to Austria and Hungary in May 1923,[8] but did not feature.[9]

Allen was transferred to Lincoln City in January 1924.[7] After 61 appearances for the Imps,[10] he joined Northampton Town in the summer of 1925,[11] leaving them at the end of the 1926–27 season.[12] He later played for Weymouth, Peterborough & Fletton United and Stamford Town.[1]

After retirement, Allen went on to work for West Ham Corporation, and later owned a newsagents in East Ham.[6]

Notes and References

  1. Book: Joyce, Michael. Football League Players' Records 1888 to 1939. 2012. 2002. SoccerData. Nottingham. 978-1-905891-61-0. 7.
  2. Web site: Percy ALLEN ... (1919–1923). Marsh. Steve. theyflysohigh.co.uk. 5 January 2018.
  3. News: League clubs and their players for the coming season. Lincoln City . Athletic News . Manchester . 4 August 1924 . 3.
  4. News: The Times. 3 November 1919 . 32. The Leagues. Newspapers.com.
  5. Web site: Percy Allen. westhamstats.info. 25 December 2017.
  6. Book: Hogg, Tony . Who's Who of West Ham United . 2005 . Profile Sports Media. 1-903135-50-8 . 17.
  7. Web site: West Ham United v Barnsley, 17 February 1923. 11v11.com. Association of Football Statisticians. 25 December 2017.
  8. Official Matchday Programme. Hammerabilia: Timeline of the Hammers. Marsh. Steve. Everton. 14. 2014–15. West Ham United F.C.. 13 January 2015. 51.
  9. Web site: West Ham United Club Tour in Austria-Hungary 1923. Marsh. Steve. whu-programmes.co.uk. 5 January 2018.
  10. Web site: The players . The Lincoln City FC Archive . Lincoln City F.C . 1 May 2017 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20160602091938/http://www.redimps.com/archive3/index.mv?cat=pltext&drop=matchsearch . 2 June 2016.
  11. News: Daily Echo. Northampton. 26 August 1925. 3. Percy Allen. British Newspaper Archive.
  12. News: Athletic News. 8 August 1927. 9. Northampton Town. British Newspaper Archive.