Mark Allen (Fußballspieler)

Mark Stephen Allen (born 18 December 1963 in Newcastle-upon-Tyne) is an English former footballer.

Career

Allen joined Burnley FC as an apprentice. He was signed on a professional contract in December 1981 and made his competitive debut in the Football League Group Cup semi-final against Wimbledon FC in February 1982 (final score 5-0).^[1] Due to the absence of regular striker Steve Taylor through injury, Allen made two appearances as a substitute in the Third Division, which Burnley finished as champions, in early March, scoring Burnley’s goal in a 2-1 defeat to Exeter City. With the signing of Paul McGee not long after, Allen was again left with only a reserve role,^[1] a situation that remained unchanged after promotion. After failing to secure a contract beyond the 1982/83 season, Allen joined fourth division side Tranmere Rovers in August 1983.

He made a total of twelve competitive appearances for Tranmere until December 1983, scoring the only goal in the FA Cup first round replay against Bolton Wanderers (final score 1-4). After failing to find consideration in the second half of the season, his contract was terminated in May 1984.^[2] Allen went on to play for Finnish second division side Pallo-Iirot, for whom he scored 13 goals in 18 games.^[3] The striker returned to England at the end of 1984 and had a brief spell with fifth-tier Alliance Premier League side Runcorn FC, for whom he scored one goal in seven league games.^[4]

Individual references

1. ↑ ^{a b} Ray Simpson: The Clarets Collection 1946 – 1996: A post war who’s who of Burnley Football Club. Ray Simpson, 1996, ISBN 978-0-9521799-0-0, p. 15.
2. ↑ Peter Dunk: Rothmans Football Yearbook 1984-85. Queen Anne Press, London 1984, ISBN 978-0-356-10446-1, p. 368.
3. ↑ Juha Vuorinen, Markku Kasila: Pelimiehet– Suomen jalkapallon pelaajatilastot 1930-2006 (Finnish). Sports Museum Foundation of Finland, 2007, ISBN 978-952-99075-9-5, p. 20.
4. ↑ John Harman: Alliance to Conference 1979-2004: The First 25 Years. Tony Williams Publications, 2005, ISBN 978-1-869833-52-7, p. 536ff.