Martin Allen facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Martin Allen

Allen in 2013
Personal information
Full name	Martin James Allen
Date of birth	(1965-08-14) 14 August 1965 (age 60)
Place of birth	Reading, England
Height	5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Position(s)	Midfielder
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1984–1989	Queens Park Rangers	136	(16)
1989–1995	West Ham United	190	(25)
1995–1997	Portsmouth	45	(4)
1997–1998	Southend United	5	(0)
Total		376	(45)
International career
1985	England U19	3	(0)
1986–1987	England U21	2	(0)
Managerial career
2003–2004	Barnet
2004–2006	Brentford
2006–2007	Milton Keynes Dons
2007	Leicester City
2008–2009	Cheltenham Town
2011	Barnet
2011–2012	Notts County
2012	Barnet
2012–2013	Gillingham
2014–2016	Barnet
2016–2017	Eastleigh
2018	Barnet
2018	Chesterfield
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Martin James Allen (born on 14 August 1965) is an English football manager and former player. He was known for his energetic style both on and off the pitch.

Allen played over 100 games as a midfielder for both Queens Park Rangers and West Ham United. He also played for Portsmouth and Southend United. After his playing career, he became a manager.

He has managed several clubs, including Barnet (five times!), Brentford, Milton Keynes Dons, Leicester City, Cheltenham Town, Notts County, Gillingham, Eastleigh, and Chesterfield. In the 2012–13 season, he led Gillingham to win the Football League Two title. This was his first promotion as a manager.

Playing Career Highlights

Martin Allen, often called "Mad Dog" because of his intense playing style, started his football journey with Queens Park Rangers. He became a professional player in 1983. During his six years at Loftus Road, he played in the 1986 League Cup final.

In 1989, Allen moved to West Ham United. He made his first appearance for them on 26 August 1989. He even scored a goal in that game. Under manager Billy Bonds, Allen helped West Ham get promoted to the top divisions in 1991 and 1993. He was known for his strong, tough play on the field and sometimes received yellow or red cards.

Allen played alongside players like Julian Dicks and John Moncur at West Ham. He scored 34 goals in 234 games for the club. In September 1995, he moved to Portsmouth. After a few years there, and a short loan at Southend United, he retired from playing to start a coaching career.

Management Journey

Early Coaching Roles

Allen began his management career as an assistant manager at his hometown club, Reading. He joined Alan Pardew when the team was struggling. They improved greatly, winning many games and finishing in the top 10. Two years later, they earned promotion to Division One.

First Time at Barnet

Allen's first full manager role was at Barnet, a non-league team. He took over in March 2003. He built a new team that quickly rose to the top of the league. However, he left for Brentford before the season ended, which disappointed many Barnet fans.

Success with Brentford

Allen exiting the Brentford team bus at Victoria Park in 2005.

In March 2004, Allen became the manager of Brentford. He helped them avoid being relegated in his first season. In the next two seasons, he led Brentford to the play-offs, finishing fourth and third in the league. They were unfortunately knocked out in the semi-finals both times.

Allen became very popular with Brentford fans. He was known for his unique ways of motivating the team. For example, he swam in the Tees before a big FA Cup game in 2005. He also took Brentford to the fifth round of the FA Cup twice in a row. In 2006, they even beat Premier League team Sunderland 2–1 in the FA Cup. He left Brentford in May 2006, wanting more investment in the team.

Milton Keynes Dons and Leicester City

Allen then managed Milton Keynes Dons for the 2006–07 season. He helped the club improve and reach the play-offs, but they lost in the semi-finals.

In May 2007, Allen became the manager of Leicester City. However, his time there was very short. He left the club by mutual agreement in August 2007 after only four games.

Cheltenham Town Period

Allen was appointed manager of Cheltenham Town in September 2008. His father, Dennis, had also managed the club years before. The club faced financial difficulties, and many key players left. Allen left the club in December 2009.

Returns to Barnet (Multiple Times!)

Allen returned to Barnet for a second time in March 2011. He was there for a short eight-game contract but left after only three games to join Notts County.

Notts County Management

Allen took charge of Notts County in April 2011. He helped them avoid relegation at the end of the 2010–11 season. He was even named League One Manager of the Month in September 2011. However, he was sacked by Notts County in February 2012.

Third Spell at Barnet

Allen became caretaker manager of Barnet again in April 2012 for the last three games of the season. Under his leadership, Barnet won two games and avoided relegation from League Two on the very last day of the season. His contract ended after this successful short period.

Gillingham Success

On 5 July 2012, Allen was appointed manager of Gillingham. His first match was a win in the League Cup. He led Gillingham to their best-ever start to a league season.

On 6 April 2013, Gillingham secured promotion to League One, which was Allen's first promotion as a manager. They then won the League Two title on 20 April. Allen was named League Two Manager of the Season for his achievements. He was sacked by Gillingham in October 2013 after 16 months.

Fourth Spell at Barnet

Allen returned to Barnet for a fourth time in March 2014. He led them to win the Football Conference championship in April 2015, which meant promotion back to League Two. Barnet finished safely in 15th place in their first season back. However, Allen unexpectedly asked to leave in December 2016 to join Eastleigh.

Eastleigh and Fifth Barnet Spell

Allen joined Eastleigh in December 2016. His first game was an FA Cup match that ended in a draw, but Eastleigh won the replay. They lost to Brentford in the third round of the FA Cup. Allen was fired by Eastleigh in February 2017 after winning only two of his 14 games.

On 19 March 2018, Allen returned to Barnet for his fifth time as manager. He left the club again on 10 May 2018, after they were relegated from the Football League.

Chesterfield Role

Less than a week after leaving Barnet, Allen was appointed manager of Chesterfield in May 2018. He was sacked on 27 December 2018.

Personal Life

Family Connections

Martin Allen comes from a family of footballers. His cousins, Paul Allen, Bradley Allen, and Clive Allen, all played football professionally. His uncle, Les Allen, was also a footballer. Martin's father, Dennis, played for clubs like Reading and Charlton Athletic. His son, Charlie Allen, played under his management at several clubs.

Other Ventures

While still playing, Allen ran his own soccer schools. He also has a UEFA Pro Licence in coaching. He created a company called Pro FC, which helps young people who want to become footballers. He is also a non-executive director for a football charity called Coaching for Hope.

In December 2013, Allen started writing a column called "Mad Dog on Monday" for the Daily Mail newspaper's website, Mail Online Sport.

Managerial Statistics

Honours and Awards

As a Player

Queens Park Rangers

• Football League Cup runner-up: 1985–86

West Ham United

• Football League Second Division runner-up: 1990–91

Individual Awards

• PFA Team of the Year: 1992–93 First Division

As a Manager

Brentford

• Supporters Direct Cup: 2004

Gillingham

• Football League Two: 2012–13

Barnet

• Conference Premier: 2014–15

Individual Awards

• Football League One Manager of the Month: September 2004, February 2006, September 2011
• BBC Radio London Sports Personality of the Year: 2005
• Football League Two Manager of the Month: August 2012, January 2013
• LMA League Two Manager of the Season: 2012–13