Malcolm Allen (born 21 March 1967 in Deiniolen, Gwynedd) is a Welsh former professional footballer who played for Watford, Aston Villa, Norwich City, Millwall, Newcastle United and Stevenage Borough. Allen played 14 times for Wales between 1986 and 1993.

After retiring from the professional game and moving into coaching and television punditry. He is a Welsh speaker.^[1]

[edit] Career

Allen began his career with Watford, signing apprentice terms in July 1983, before becoming professional in March 1985.^[1] He scored Watford's only goal in 1985 FA Youth Cup final.^[1] He played and scored for the Hornets in their FA Cup semi-final defeat against Tottenham Hotspur in 1987, and in 19 cup appearances for Watford scored eight goals.^[1] He was loaned to Aston Villa in September 1987 by new Watford manager Dave Bassett, and joined Norwich for a fee of £175,000 in August 1988.^[1] Whilst with Norwich he scored four in their club record FA Cup victory, 8–0 against Sutton United.

In 1989, an incident between Allen and David O'Leary sparked a mass brawl at Arsenal's Highbury stadium.^[2] O'Leary picked up Allen by the scruff of his neck and carried him some yards. Police officers needed to intervene,^[3] and Arsenal were fined £20,000.^[4][5]

Allen joined Millwall in March 1990 for £400,000, spending three years there before moving to Newcastle United for £300,000 in August 1993. He retired due in injury, aged 28, in December 1995.^[1]

[edit] International career

Allen represent Wales at youth, B and full international level.^[1] He received his first full cap aged 18, after only playing a small number of games.^[1]

[edit] Arrests

In August 2006, Allen was in court charged with assault.^[6] In April 2008, charged from his Watford home, he was given a suspended sentence and a ban for drink-driving after admitting drinking ten pints of beer.^[7]

[edit] Sgorio

He is a regular pundit on the programme alongside John Hartson, Iwan Roberts and Dai Davies. Malcolm also comentates on all Sgorio and Sgorio Cymru live games.

[edit] References

• Canary Citizens by Mark Davage, John Eastwood, Kevin Platt, published by Jarrold Publishing, (2001), ISBN 0-7117-2020-7
• Jones, Trefor (1996). The Watford Football Club Illustrated Who's Who. Surrey: T.G Jones. ISBN 0-9527458-0-1. 

[edit] Notes

[edit] External links

• Malcolm Allen (footballer) career stats at Soccerbase
• Career information at ex-canaries.co.uk