| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Malcolm Allen | ||
| Date of birth | 21 March 1967 | ||
| Place of birth | Deiniolen, Gwynedd, Wales | ||
| Playing position | Striker | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 1985–1988 | Watford | 39 | (5) |
| 1987 | Aston Villa | 4 | (0) |
| 1988–1990 | Norwich City | 35 | (8) |
| 1990–1993 | Millwall | 81 | (24) |
| 1993–1995 | Newcastle United | 10 | (5) |
| National team | |||
| 1986–1993 | Wales | 14 | (3) |
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. † Appearances (Goals). |
|||
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]
Contents |
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 the fourth round. This was one of the most successful seasons in Norwich's history, as they finished fourth in the league and were semi-finalists in the FA Cup.
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]
Allen represented 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]
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]
He is a regular pundit on the programme alongside John Hartson and Dai Davies. Malcolm also co-commentates on all Sgorio live games.
In the autumn of 2009 Y Lolfa published his autobiography in his native Welsh language.