# Joe Allon

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English footballer

Not to be confused with [Joe Allen](/source/Joe_Allen) or [Joe Allen (disambiguation)](/source/Joe_Allen_(disambiguation)).

Joe Allon Personal information Full name Joseph Ball Allon[1] Date of birth (1966-11-12) 12 November 1966 (age 59)[1] Place of birth Gateshead, England[1] Height 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)[2] Position Forward Youth career 1982–1984 Newcastle United Senior career* Years Team Apps (Gls) 1984–1987 Newcastle United 9 (2) 1987–1988 Swansea City 34 (12) 1988–1991 Hartlepool United 112 (48) 1991–1992 Chelsea 14 (2) 1992 → Port Vale (loan) 6 (0) 1992–1994 Brentford 45 (19) 1993 → Southend United (loan) 3 (0) 1994–1995 Port Vale 23 (9) 1995 Lincoln City 4 (0) 1995–1998 Hartlepool United 56 (19) Total 306 (111) International career 1985 England Youth 1 (0) * Club domestic league appearances and goals

**Joseph Ball Allon** (born 12 November 1966) is an English former [footballer](/source/Association_football). A [striker](/source/Forward_(association_football)), he scored 135 goals in 361 league and cup games in a 14-year career in the [English Football League](/source/English_Football_League).

Starting his career with [Newcastle United](/source/Newcastle_United_F.C.) in 1984, he failed to break into the first team and moved on to [Swansea City](/source/Swansea_City_A.F.C.) three years later. After a season with the Swans, he signed with [Hartlepool United](/source/Hartlepool_United_F.C.). After scoring 48 league goals for the club, he [transferred](/source/Transfer_(association_football)) to [Chelsea](/source/Chelsea_F.C.) in 1991. After a season with Chelsea, including a [loan](/source/Loan_(sports)) spell with [Port Vale](/source/Port_Vale_F.C.), he joined [Brentford](/source/Brentford_F.C.). In 1994, he moved back to Port Vale permanently before moving back to Hartlepool United via [Lincoln City](/source/Lincoln_City_F.C.) in 1995. He retired in 1998 because of a knee injury. He won three [promotions](/source/Promotion_and_relegation) with three clubs, and was voted onto the Fourth Division [PFA Team of the Year](/source/PFA_Team_of_the_Year) in [1990–91](/source/1990%E2%80%9391_Football_League) and won the North-East Footballer of the Year award in 1990–91.

## Career

### Newcastle United

Allon joined [Newcastle United](/source/Newcastle_United_F.C.) in 1982 and made his debut in the first team when [Jack Charlton](/source/Jack_Charlton) was [manager](/source/Manager_(association_football)) in a 2–1 win over [Stoke City](/source/Stoke_City_F.C.) at [St James' Park](/source/St_James'_Park) on 1 December 1984.[3] At the end of [1984–85](/source/1984%E2%80%9385_Newcastle_United_F.C._season) he starred in the [FA Youth Cup](/source/FA_Youth_Cup) final victory over [Watford](/source/Watford_F.C.), scoring twice in a game in which [Paul Gascoigne](/source/Paul_Gascoigne) also netted a wonder goal. He was also capped at [England Youth](/source/England_national_under-18_football_team) level.[4] Allon scored twice in nine [First Division](/source/Football_League_First_Division) games in [1985–86](/source/1985%E2%80%9386_Newcastle_United_F.C._season) and [1986–87](/source/1986%E2%80%9387_Newcastle_United_F.C._season), before manager [Willie McFaul](/source/Willie_McFaul) moved him on to [Swansea City](/source/Swansea_City_A.F.C.) in August 1987.

### Swansea City

[Terry Yorath](/source/Terry_Yorath)'s Swans won [promotion](/source/Promotion_and_relegation) out of the [Fourth Division](/source/Football_League_Fourth_Division) in [1987–88](/source/1987%E2%80%9388_Football_League) after beating [Torquay United](/source/Torquay_United_F.C.) 5–4 on [aggregate](/source/Aggregate_score) in the [play-off final](/source/1988_Football_League_Fourth_Division_play-off_final). During the season, Allon also scored against rivals [Cardiff City](/source/Cardiff_City_F.C.) in the [South Wales derby](/source/South_Wales_derby), in a 2–2 draw at [Vetch Field](/source/Vetch_Field) on New Year's Day. He scored 12 times in 40 league and cup appearances in a partnership with [Colin Pascoe](/source/Colin_Pascoe) before he returned to the North-East to join [Hartlepool United](/source/Hartlepool_United_F.C.) in November 1988 as one of [Bobby Moncur](/source/Bobby_Moncur)'s first signings as manager. Moncur drove from Hartlepool to South Wales to watch the striker in a [reserve team](/source/Reserve_team) game and decided to sign him.

### Hartlepool United

Pools paid a nominal fee for the striker to bring him back to the North East. Pools struggled near the foot of the [Football League](/source/English_Football_League) in [1988–89](/source/1988%E2%80%9389_Football_League) under Moncur, and Allon scored just five goals in 26 starts.[1] The team again struggled in [1989–90](/source/1989%E2%80%9390_Football_League) and suffered some heavy defeats under Moncur – losing 7–1 at [York City](/source/York_City_F.C.), 6–1 at [Aldershot](/source/Aldershot_Town_F.C.) and 6–0 at home to [Doncaster](/source/Doncaster_Rovers_F.C.). As Pools improved in the second half of the season and moved off bottom spot after being rooted there with 9 points from 18 games, Allon managed 17 goals in 45 league starts to become the club's joint top-scorer with strike partner [Paul Baker](/source/Paul_Baker_(footballer)).[1] New boss [Cyril Knowles](/source/Cyril_Knowles) was the catalyst for change as he turned the club's fortunes around. Allon enjoyed a reunion with his former Newcastle United teammate [Gascoigne](/source/Paul_Gascoigne) in September 1990 as Pools played [Tottenham Hotspur](/source/Tottenham_Hotspur_F.C.) in the League Cup. Gascoigne netted 4 in a 5–0 White Hart Lane defeat for Pools, who lost the second-leg 2–1 at the Victoria Ground.

Allon netted the winning goal for Pools at [Feethams](/source/Feethams) in November 1990, as Pools beat rivals [Darlington](/source/Darlington_F.C.) 1–0. By scoring the winning goal at Feethams in 1997, the striker became the only Pools striker to have twice scored a winning goal in front of the Tin Shed, the favoured end for supporters of Darlington.

Allon netted 35 times as Pools won promotion in [1990–91](/source/1990%E2%80%9391_Football_League) for only the second time in their history. Pools finished third but were only one point behind champions [Darlington](/source/Darlington_F.C.).[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](/source/PFA_Team_of_the_Year).[1] He came close of a move to [Middlesbrough](/source/Middlesbrough_F.C.), but called off the deal after manager [Colin Todd](/source/Colin_Todd) was sacked.[3]

### Chelsea

His form in the 1990–91 season earned him a move to top-flight side [Chelsea](/source/Chelsea_F.C.) in August 1991, with manager [Ian Porterfield](/source/Ian_Porterfield) paying a fee reported to be £375,000.[3] Middlesbrough were also interested in his services that summer. Allon scored at home on his Chelsea debut, at the Shed End, however, he failed to make an impact at [Stamford Bridge](/source/Stamford_Bridge_(stadium)) after sustaining a leg injury which became infected.[3] In February of the [1991–92 season](/source/1991%E2%80%9392_Port_Vale_F.C._season) he joined [Port Vale](/source/Port_Vale_F.C.) on [loan](/source/Loan_(sports)), but made just six goalless appearances for [John Rudge](/source/John_Rudge)'s Valiants, who struggled in vain to avoid [relegation](/source/Promotion_and_relegation) out of the [Second Division](/source/Football_League_Second_Division).[5] He only stayed for a few months of [1992–93](/source/1992%E2%80%9393_Chelsea_F.C._season), the inaugural season of the [Premier League](/source/Premier_League). It was rumoured that his friendship with [Vinnie Jones](/source/Vinnie_Jones) led him astray and helped to bring about his poor form.[6] In all he started just four games (with a further 14 [substitute](/source/Substitute_(association_football)) appearances) and scored three goals for the Blues. He was sold to [Brentford](/source/Brentford_F.C.) in November 1992 for a club-record incoming fee of £275,000.[7]

### Brentford

The "Bees" were relegated out of the First Division at the end of the [1992–93 season](/source/1992%E2%80%9393_Football_League) under [Phil Holder](/source/Phil_Holder). He scored 28 goals in 56 league and cup appearances at [Griffin Park](/source/Griffin_Park). However, the new manager [David Webb](/source/David_Webb_(footballer)) wanted Allon off the wage bill.[3] He had a brief spell on loan at [Southend United](/source/Southend_United_F.C.) in September 1993, where he punched manager [Barry Fry](/source/Barry_Fry) in the face upon scoring his 100th career league goal.[3]

### Port Vale

Allon moved back to Port Vale – this time permanently – in March 1994.[5] He signed a two-year contract with Vale, which turned out to be only a one-year deal due to an error by the club.[8] Chairman [Bill Bell](/source/Bill_Bell_(businessman)) arranged a deal to sign Allon on a free transfer, but Brentford would be paid £2,000 for every appearance and £1,000 for every goal he scored.[3] He scored twice in what remained of the [1993–94 campaign](/source/1993%E2%80%9394_Port_Vale_F.C._season), helping the club to win promotion out of the Second Division.[5] He scored eight goals in 22 games at [Vale Park](/source/Vale_Park) in [1994–95](/source/1994%E2%80%9395_Port_Vale_F.C._season), before he was sold to [Third Division](/source/Football_League_Third_Division) side [Lincoln City](/source/Lincoln_City_F.C.) for £42,500 in July 1995.[5]

### Lincoln City

Allon was the highest-paid player outside of the First Vision at Lincoln.[8] After just five games and three months at [Sincil Bank](/source/Sincil_Bank) he was on the move again, during which time manager [Sam Ellis](/source/Sam_Ellis_(footballer)) was replaced by [John Beck](/source/John_Beck_(footballer)).[8]

### Return to Hartlepool

Allon returned to [Victoria Park](/source/Victoria_Park_(Hartlepool)) when Hartlepool manager [Keith Houchen](/source/Keith_Houchen) splashed out £40,000. He scored nine goals in 24 games in [1995–96](/source/1995%E2%80%9396_Football_League) 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](/source/1996%E2%80%9397_Football_League) 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](/source/Mick_Tait).[1] His goal spree towards the end of the season helped the club to avoid a drop into the [Conference](/source/National_League_(division)).[6] He only made it onto the [pitch](/source/Football_pitch) five times in [1997–98](/source/1997%E2%80%9398_Football_League), but still found the net twice, both against Colchester at Victoria Park, before he retired due to a [patella fracture](/source/Patella_fracture).[1] His total of 79 goals for Hartlepool puts him in seventh place in their overall list of top scorers.[1]

## Post-retirement

After retiring from football, Allon presented an award-winning *BBC Inside Out* documentary on grassroots sport and worked as a summariser at [BBC Tees](/source/BBC_Tees) radio.[9] Between 2006 and 2008 Allon worked under ex-[Chelsea](/source/Chelsea_F.C.) teammate [Dennis Wise](/source/Dennis_Wise) on the coaching staff at [Leeds United](/source/Leeds_United_F.C.).[10] He suffered a [mental breakdown](/source/Mental_breakdown) following the death of his mother due to [Alzheimer's disease](/source/Alzheimer's_disease) in 2007.[11]

## Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition[12][13] Club Season League FA Cup Other Total Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Newcastle United 1984–85 First Division 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1985–86 First Division 3 1 0 0 0 0 3 1 1986–87 First Division 5 1 0 0 1 0 6 1 Total 9 2 0 0 1 0 10 2 Swansea City 1987–88 Fourth Division 32 12 2 0 4 1 38 13 1988–89 Third Division 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 Total 34 12 2 0 4 1 40 13 Hartlepool United 1988–89 Fourth Division 21 3 4 2 2 0 27 5 1989–90 Fourth Division 45 17 1 0 3 0 49 17 1990–91 Fourth Division 46 28 2 3 7 4 55 35 Total 112 48 7 5 12 4 131 57 Chelsea 1991–92 First Division 11 2 0 0 7 1 18 3 1992–93 Premier League 3 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 Total 14 2 0 0 7 1 21 3 Port Vale (loan) 1991–92 Second Division 6 0 0 0 0 0 6 0 Brentford 1992–93 First Division 24 6 1 0 5 5 30 11 1993–94 Second Division 21 13 1 2 4 2 26 17 Total 45 19 2 2 9 7 56 28 Southend United (loan) 1993–94 First Division 3 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 Port Vale 1993–94 Second Division 4 2 0 0 0 0 4 2 1994–95 First Division 19 7 2 1 1 0 22 8 Total 23 9 2 1 1 0 26 10 Lincoln City 1995–96 Third Division 4 0 0 0 1 0 5 0 Hartlepool United 1995–96 Third Division 22 8 0 0 2 1 24 9 1996–97 Third Division 30 9 1 0 3 2 34 11 1997–98 Third Division 4 2 0 0 1 0 5 2 Total 56 19 1 0 6 3 63 22 Career total 306 111 14 8 41 16 361 135

## Honours

**Newcastle United**

- [FA Youth Cup](/source/FA_Youth_Cup): 1985

**Swansea City**

- [Football League Fourth Division](/source/Football_League_Fourth_Division) play-offs: [1988](/source/1988_Football_League_Fourth_Division_play-off_final)

**Hartlepool United**

- [Football League Fourth Division](/source/Football_League_Fourth_Division) third-place promotion: [1990–91](/source/1990%E2%80%9391_Football_League)

**Port Vale**

- [Football League Second Division](/source/Football_League_Second_Division) second-place promotion: [1993–94](/source/1993%E2%80%9394_Port_Vale_F.C._season)

**Individual**

- [PFA Team of the Year](/source/PFA_Team_of_the_Year_(1990s)): [1990–91 Fourth Division](/source/1990%E2%80%9391_Football_League#Fourth_Division)[14]

- Hennessey Cognac North East Player of the Year: [1990–91](/source/1990%E2%80%9391_Football_League)

- North East Football Writers Player of the Year: [1990–91](/source/1990%E2%80%9391_Football_League)

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-inthemadcrowd_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-inthemadcrowd_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-inthemadcrowd_1-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-inthemadcrowd_1-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-inthemadcrowd_1-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-inthemadcrowd_1-5) [***g***](#cite_ref-inthemadcrowd_1-6) [***h***](#cite_ref-inthemadcrowd_1-7) [***i***](#cite_ref-inthemadcrowd_1-8) [***j***](#cite_ref-inthemadcrowd_1-9) [***k***](#cite_ref-inthemadcrowd_1-10) ["Profile – Joe Allon"](https://web.archive.org/web/20111123135900/http://www.inthemadcrowd.co.uk/cgi-bin/itmc_view_person.asp?oid=11). *In the Mad Crowd*. Archived from [the original](http://www.inthemadcrowd.co.uk/cgi-bin/itmc_view_person.asp?oid=11) on 23 November 2011. Retrieved 23 May 2012.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** Rollin, Jack, ed. (1980). [*Rothmans Football Yearbook 1980–81*](https://archive.org/details/rothmansfootball00roll). London: [Queen Anne Press](/source/Queen_Anne_Press). p. [250](https://archive.org/details/rothmansfootball00roll/page/250). [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0362020175](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0362020175).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-beano1_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-beano1_3-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-beano1_3-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-beano1_3-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-beano1_3-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-beano1_3-5) [***g***](#cite_ref-beano1_3-6) "The Joe Allon Interview". *The Vale Park Beano*. **50**.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["England Matches - Youth/Under-18's 1980-90"](http://www.englandfootballonline.com/matchrsl/MatchRslTmU18pg4.html). *www.englandfootballonline.com*. Retrieved 16 October 2024.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-kent_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-kent_5-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-kent_5-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-kent_5-3) Kent, Jeff (1996). *Port Vale Personalities*. Witan Books. p. 7. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-9529152-0-0](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-9529152-0-0).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Joe_Allon_6-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Joe_Allon_6-1) Parkinson, Ed. ["Joe Allon"](https://web.archive.org/web/20120522122909/http://www.wsc.co.uk/content/view/2934/29/). *When Saturday Comes*. Archived from [the original](http://www.wsc.co.uk/content/view/2934/29/) on 22 May 2012. Retrieved 23 May 2012.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-bees05_7-0)** *Brentford Football Club Official Matchday Magazine versus Hull City 7 May 2005*. 2005. p. 46.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-beano2_8-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-beano2_8-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-beano2_8-2) "The Joe Allon Interview (Part Two)". *The Vale Park Beano*. **51**.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Wilson, Karen (23 August 2012). ["Joe Allon on scrapes with Vinnie and new romance"](https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/local-news/joe-allon-scrapes-vinnie-new-1369899). *Evening Chronicle*. Retrieved 6 July 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["The Weekend Interview: Joe Allon"](http://www.chelseafc.com/news/latest-news/2014/12/the-weekend-interview--joe-allon.html). *chelseafc.com*. Retrieved 6 July 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** Wilson, Karen (25 February 2013). ["Ex-Newcastle United star on his mental breakdown"](https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/local-news/ex-newcastle-united-star-mental-breakdown-1369836). *Evening Chronicle*. Retrieved 6 July 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** [Joe Allon](https://www.enfa.co.uk) at the English National Football Archive (subscription required)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** [Joe Allon](https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=127) at Soccerbase

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** Lynch. *The Official P.F.A. Footballers Heroes*. p. 148.

v t e 1990–91 Football League Fourth Division PFA Team of the Year GK: Welch DF: Brown DF: Davis DF: Ormsby DF: Brevett MF: Gill MF: Frain MF: Halsall FW: Rimmer FW: Allon FW: Butler

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Joe Allon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Allon) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Allon?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.