Joe Allon

A forward, Allon started his professional career with Newcastle United in 1984, at a time when Jack Charlton was manager at St James' Park. At the end of 1984–85 he starred in the FA Youth Cup final victory over Watford, in which Paul Gascoigne scored a wonder goal. Allon scored twice in nine First Division games in 1985–86 and 1986–87, before manager Willie McFaul moved him on to Swansea City in August 1987.

Terry Yorath's "Swans" won promotion out of the Fourth Division in 1987–88 after beating Torquay United 5–4 on aggregate in the play-off final. During the season Allon also scored against rivals Cardiff City in the South Wales derby, in a 2–2 draw at Vetch Field on New Year's Day. He scored twelve times in 40 league and cup appearances in a partnership with Colin Pascoe, before he returned to the North-East to join Hartlepool United in November 1988, as one of Bobby Moncur's first signings as manager.

The "Pools" struggled near the foot of the Football League in 1988–89, and Allon scored just five goals in 26 starts.[1] The team again struggled in 1989–90, though Allon managed 17 goals in 45 league starts to become the club's joint top-scorer with strike partner Paul Baker.[1] After new boss Cyril Knowles installed a defence to match the Allon-Baker partnership, the club won promotion in 1990–91; United finished third, but were only one point behind champions Darlington.[1] Allon hit 35 goals in 55 games in the campaign, and was named Hennessey Cognac North East Player of the Year and North East Football Writers Player of the Year, and was also voted onto the PFA Team of the Year.[1]

His form that season earned him a move to top-flight side Chelsea in August 1991, with manager Ian Porterfield paying a fee reported to be £250,000. However, he failed to make an impact at Stamford Bridge, and in February of the 1991–92 season he joined Port Vale on loan, but made just six goalless appearances for John Rudge's "Valiants", who struggled in vain to avoid relegation out of the Second Division.[3] He only stayed for a few months of 1992–93, the inaugural season of the Premier League. It was rumoured that his friendship with Vinnie Jones led him astray and helped to bring about his poor form.[4] In all he started just four games (with a further 14 substitute appearances) and scored three goals for the "Blues". He was sold to Brentford in November 1992 for a club-record incoming fee of £275,000.[5]

The "Bees" were relegated out of the First Division at the end of the 1992–93 season under Phil Holder. He scored a total of 28 goals in 56 league and cup appearances at Griffin Park. He also had a brief spell on loan at Southend United in September 1993.

Allon moved to back Port Vale – this time permanently – in March 1994.[3] He scored twice in what remained of the 1993–94 campaign, helping the club to win promotion out of the Second Division.[3] He bagged seven goals at Vale Park in 1994–95, before he was sold to Third Division side Lincoln City for £42,500 in July 1995.[3]

After just five games and three months at Sincil Bank he was on the move again, during which manager Sam Ellis was replaced by John Beck, and returned to Victoria Park when Hartlepool manager Keith Houchen splashed out £40,000. He scored nine goals in 24 games in 1995–96 to become joint top-scorer, but a persistent knee injury restricted his first team appearances.[1] He scored 11 goals in 34 games in 1996–97 to again become the club's top-scorer, as Hartlepool finished just four points above the bottom of the Football League under the stewardship of Mick Tait.[1] His goal spree towards the end of the season helped the club to avoid a drop into the Conference.[4] He only made it onto the pitch five times in 1997–98, but still found the net twice, before he retired due to injury.[1] His total of 79 goals for Hartlepool puts him in seventh place in their overall list of top scorers.[1]