Craig Allen (footballer)

Craig Allen is a former Guernsey association football striker who played professionally in the North American Soccer League and Major Indoor Soccer League.

Craig Allen
Personal information
Date of birth (1959-10-02) 2 October 1959
Place of birth Guernsey, Channel Islands
Position(s) Striker
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1979–1981 California Surf 74 (19)
1979–1981 California Surf (indoor) 29 (36)
1981–1982 New Jersey Rockets (indoor) 22 (22)
1982–1988 Cleveland Force (indoor) 254 (275)
National team
Guernsey
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Professional

In 1979, the nineteen-year-old Allen came to California on vacation. While in California, he attended an open tryout with the California Surf of the North American Soccer League and gained a contract offer. Over three years, he played three NASL outdoor and two NASL indoor seasons with the Surf. In 1981, he moved to the New Jersey Rockets of the Major Indoor Soccer League. After one season, he moved to the Cleveland Force where he played for six seasons. In 1988, the Force lost to the San Diego Sockers in the MISL championship. In Jun 1988, the Force released Allen.[1] By this time he had played 254 league games, scored 275 goals and added 180 assists with Cleveland.

National team

In March 1993, Allen scored a record 7 goals for Guernsey in their 10–0 win against Alderney in the semi-final of the Muratti Vase. This was his first Muratti-appearance since 1978. (Although he failed to find the net in the final as Guernsey lost 1–2 against Jersey).

Personal life

Craig's son, Ross Allen, is also a competitive footballer, and was named Guernsey Football Association Division One Player of the Year for 2008–09.[2] He currently plays for Guernsey in the Isthmian League Division One South. In August 2011 he was allegedly scouted by Swindon Town.[3]

References
  1. FORCE CUTS MVP ALLEN , 3 OTHERS Akron Beacon Journal (OH) - Friday, 17 June 1988
  2. Allen eyes move to the States
  3. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 30 March 2012. Retrieved 4 September 2011.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
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