Craig Allen is a former Guernsey association football striker who played professionally in the North American Soccer League and Major Indoor Soccer League.
 Allen circa 1984 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 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) |
| International career | |||
| Guernsey | |||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Professional
editIn 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 June 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
editIn 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).[citation needed]
Personal life
editCraig'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
edit- ^ FORCE CUTS MVP ALLEN , 3 OTHERS Akron Beacon Journal (OH) - Friday, 17 June 1988
- ^ Allen eyes move to the States
- ^ "Town snap up Gabilondo and Clarke (From This is Swindon Town FC)". Archived from the original on 30 March 2012. Retrieved 4 September 2011.