Clive Allen

Lore & Background

Clive Allen was born in Stepney, London on 20 May 1961. His father, Les Allen, was a member of Tottenham Hotspur's Double-winning team of 1960–61. His younger brother, Bradley Allen, and cousins Martin and Paul Allen also played football professionally. Allen started his career at Queens Park Rangers, later played for Arsenal (without a competitive match), Crystal Palace, returned to QPR, then Tottenham Hotspur, Bordeaux, Manchester City, Chelsea, West Ham United, Millwall, and Carlisle United. He scored 49 goals in all competitions for Tottenham in 1986–87, a club record, and was on the losing side in the 1987 FA Cup Final. After football, he played American football as a placekicker for the London Monarchs in 1997.

In Their Own Story

The floodlights hummed over Withdean as the crowd surged forward. Allen received the ball on the edge of the box, shoulders dropping before he unleashed a shot that found the top corner. The roar from the stands was deafening, a collective release of tension for a team fighting for respect in the league.

Reader's Guide

Clive Allen never played for Brighton and Hove Albion. His career was entirely with London clubs, Bordeaux, Manchester City, and Carlisle United. He is not associated with Withdean Stadium or the Goldstone Ground. His most famous scoring feat was 49 goals in 1986–87 for Tottenham Hotspur.

Did You Know?

• Clive Allen scored 49 goals in all competitions for Tottenham Hotspur in the 1986–87 season, a club record.
• He won both the PFA Players' Player of the Year and Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year awards in 1987.
• Allen played American football as a placekicker for the London Monarchs in 1997, converting five of six field goals he attempted.
• He never played for Brighton and Hove Albion, despite some incorrect references.