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Martin James Allen (born 14 August 1965) is an English football manager and former player.

Key Information

He played more than 100 games as a midfielder for both Queens Park Rangers and West Ham United before finishing his playing career with Portsmouth and Southend United. Five years later, he took his first job in management, at non-league Barnet. He has since managed Brentford, Milton Keynes Dons, Leicester City, Cheltenham Town and Notts County. He rejoined Barnet as manager on 16 April 2012 on a short-term, three-match contract succeeding Lawrie Sanchez. In July 2012 he became manager of Gillingham and in the 2012–13 season led the team to the Football League Two title, earning Allen his first promotion as a manager and Gillingham's first divisional title in 49 years. He was sacked as Gillingham manager in October 2013. Allen rejoined Barnet for a fourth spell in 2014, leading the Bees back into League Two before dropping divisions to join Eastleigh in December 2016, a role he held only until the following February.

Playing career

[edit]

Often referred to by his nickname of "Mad Dog", Allen began his career with Queens Park Rangers, signing professional in 1983 and spending six years at Loftus Road playing in the 1986 League Cup final defeat against Oxford United, before a £670,000 move to West Ham United. Signed by manager Lou Macari, Allen made his debut on 26 August 1989 in a 3–2 home win against Plymouth Argyle. He scored the second goal, the other West Ham goals coming from David Kelly and Kevin Keen.[2] Under manager Billy Bonds Allen was part of the team which won promotion to the First Division in 1991 and to the Premier League in 1993.[3] Allen was frequently booked during his West Ham career and had a reputation for poor discipline.[4] He was sent off in a match on 17 January 1990 for a two-footed lunge on Derby County's Mark Patterson.[5] During a game on 30 November 1991 against Sheffield Wednesday, managed by Allen's manager at Queens Park Rangers, Trevor Francis, Allen was booked after only 20 seconds of being on the pitch for a jump tackle on Carlton Palmer which saw Palmer carried off with a suspected broken leg. Although not sent-off, West Ham manager Bonds fined Allen a week's wages.[6] During his time at Queens Park Rangers Allen had been refused permission, by manager Francis, to attend the birth of his first child as Allen would miss an important match. Allen attended the birth and was disciplined by the club.[7] Under Bonds and Harry Redknapp Allen formed a successful partnership with Peter Butler with Allen contributing 34 goals from midfield in 234 appearances. However, by 1995 team discipline was poor at West Ham and with Allen playing alongside Julian Dicks, John Moncur and Don Hutchison bookings were commonplace.[4] Allen was again dismissed in a match against Queens Park Rangers on 3 May 1995 after fouling Rufus Brevett.[8][9] He would play only five more games before being allowed to leave.[3]

Allen stayed with the Hammers until September 1995 when he made a £500,000 switch to Portsmouth after a successful loan spell at Fratton Park.[10] After three frustrating years with Pompey, which took in a brief loan stint at Southend United, he retired and began a coaching career.

Management career

[edit]

Reading

[edit]

Allen began his management career as an assistant manager at hometown club Reading, where he joined Alan Pardew when the Royals were in the relegation zone. The team produced championship form in their closing 20 fixtures, winning 12 and drawing 4 to secure a top 10 finish. Two years later they won promotion to Division One.

Barnet

[edit]

Allen's first full manager role was at Conference side Barnet, from March 2003 to March 2004. He succeeded from Peter Shreeves, to whom he was assistant manager from March 2002. Allen built a team from scratch in pre-season of the 2003–04 campaign. The team shot straight to the top end of the table, however Allen left for Brentford with a few weeks of the season remaining in a move that disappointed many Barnet fans. Under the guidance of new manager Paul Fairclough, the Bees made the play-offs but were beaten in the semi-finals by Shrewsbury Town.

Brentford

[edit]
Allen exiting the Brentford team bus at Victoria Park in 2005.

Allen took over from Wally Downes at Second Division side Brentford in March 2004.[11] He had a good run at the club, saving them from relegation to the Third Division in what remained of the 2003–04 season.[12] In the 2004–05 and 2005–06 seasons he took Brentford to the play-offs with fourth and third-place finishes respectively, but they were eliminated by Sheffield Wednesday and Swansea City respectively in the semi-finals on both occasions.[13] Allen won press attention during the 2004–05 season for the success of his self-described "two bob team",[14] which was composed of ageing pros (John Salako, Andy Myers, Scott Fitzgerald and Jamie Lawrence), free transfers (Deon Burton, Chris Hargreaves, Stewart Talbot and Isaiah Rankin) and young guns who would go on to play in the Premier League (Jay Tabb, Stephen Hunt, Sam Sodje and Michael Turner).[15] Allen took Brentford to the fifth round of the FA Cup in two consecutive years, going out to Premier League sides Southampton in the 2004–05 season (losing 3–1 in a replay, after a 2–2 draw at St Mary's) and Charlton Athletic 3–1 in the 2005–06 season.[13] He also was in charge of one of the major giant killings in the fourth round in the 2005–06 season, beating Premier League side Sunderland 2–1.[16]

At Brentford, he proved to be a very popular manager with the fans and an object of curiosity to opponents and media alike due to his unconventional managerial methods, which paid off due to the relative success Brentford had under him on a limited budget. He participated in a 25-mile sponsored bike ride in November 2005 to raise funds for Brentford.[17] To inspire the team, Allen swam in the Tees before a 1–0 FA Cup fourth round replay victory over Hartlepool United in February 2005 and jumped naked into the Solent before Brentford's 2–2 draw at Southampton in the following round.[18] In May 2006, Allen announced his resignation as manager of Brentford, citing lack of Board commitment to investing in the team to take it to the next level.[19] In July 2006 he completed his UEFA Pro Licence in coaching.[20] With the club struggling in League One in late 2010, there was speculation that Allen would replace Andy Scott as manager, but the reports were quashed by Brentford chief executive Andrew Mills.[21]

Milton Keynes Dons

[edit]

Allen then dropped down a level to manage League Two team Milton Keynes Dons for the 2006–07 season, a club with heavy financial backing and ambitions from owner Pete Winkelman, albeit one that had been in severe decline for the past few years and had dropped from the Championship to League Two in three seasons. Allen managed to arrest the club's decline and took his team to the play-offs, but lost in the semi-finals to Shrewsbury Town.

Leicester City

[edit]

In May 2007, Allen became the new manager at Championship side Leicester City,[22] after Leicester and Milton Keynes Dons had negotiated a compensation package.

In August 2007, striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink agreed contract terms with Leicester and chairman Milan Mandarić invited him to undergo a medical at Leicester.[23] But when Hasselbaink arrived in Leicester on 13 August, Allen told him that the medical was no longer going take place.[24] Six days later, Mandarić confirmed an interest in striker Derek Riordan, who was lacking first team football at Celtic. However, Allen refused to make an offer for Riordan, which further aggravated Mandarić.[25] Relations with chairman Milan Mandarić quickly deteriorated and his contract was terminated by mutual consent on 29 August 2007 after just four games in charge.[26]

After leaving Leicester, Allen declared his interest in managing Swindon Town,[27] which eventually went to Maurice Malpas.

Cheltenham Town

[edit]

Allen was appointed as manager of Cheltenham Town on 15 September 2008, on a three-year contract.[28] His father, Dennis, had been manager at Whaddon Road between 1974 and 1979.[29] With financial difficulties hitting the club and an increasingly troubled dressing room atmosphere, the entire Cheltenham squad were put up for sale. Allen allowed key players to leave mid-season either on loan or for reduced prices, contributing to a run of results which left Cheltenham near the foot of the League Two table. On 20 October 2009 and amidst poor results on the pitch, Allen was suspended by Cheltenham Town and placed on gardening leave pending an internal investigation into allegations that he racially abused a nightclub bouncer.[30] In November Gloucestershire police announced that no action would be taken against Allen concerning the alleged nightclub incident. He remained on leave whilst Cheltenham Town considered his future at the club.[31] On 11 December it was announced he had left the club.[32] In January 2010 he was appointed part-time scout for Queens Park Rangers.[33]

Return to Barnet

[edit]

On 23 March 2011, Allen returned to his first managerial club, Barnet, until the end of the 2010–11 season.[34] He was working on an eight-game contract but left after only three games, in which Barnet were unbeaten,[35] to take charge of Notts County.

Notts County

[edit]

Allen took charge of Notts County on 11 April 2011 signing a one-year rolling contract.[35] Notts County won eight points out of the seven games Allen was in charge of at the end of the 2010–11 season, enough for them to avoid relegation. Allen was named League One Manager of the Month in September 2011 after leading the team to four wins and a draw in the league.

Allen was sacked by Notts County on 18 February 2012.[36]

Third spell at Barnet

[edit]

Allen was appointed caretaker manager of Barnet on 16 April 2012 for the last three games of the 2011–12 season, replacing Lawrie Sanchez.[37] Barnet managed two wins under Allen's managership, finished 22nd and avoided relegation from League Two with a 2–1 win on 5 May 2012 on the last day of the season, against Burton Albion.[38] Following the end of the season, Allen's contract ended.[39]

Gillingham

[edit]

On 5 July 2012, Allen was appointed manager of Gillingham signing a two-year contract.[40] His first match as Gillingham manager came on 14 August 2012, a 2–1 away win against Bristol City in the League Cup.[41] While at Gillingham, Allen oversaw the Kent side's best ever start to a league season.[42] He also broke the club record for most away wins in a football league season with a 1–0 win over Chesterfield, the eleventh of the season on 23 February 2013. On 6 April 2013 Gillingham secured promotion to League One, Allen's first ever promotion in his career as a manager.[43] They secured the League Two title with a 2–2 draw against AFC Wimbledon at Priestfield on 20 April.[44] On 20 May 2013, Allen was crowned League 2 Manager of the Year by the LMA for his achievements with the club.[45] Allen was sacked by Gillingham in October 2013 after sixteen months in charge. Gillingham had won just two games from eleven played on their return to League One.[46]

Fourth spell at Barnet

[edit]

Allen was appointed head coach of Barnet on 19 March 2014 until the end of the 2014–15 season, marking his fourth spell at the club.[47] He coached them to the 2014–15 Football Conference championship on 25 April 2015 to secure promotion to League Two.[48] Barnet comfortably avoided relegation in their first season back in League Two, finishing 15th. However, despite the Bees starting the 2016–17 season just outside the play-off zone in 8th place, Allen made an unexpected request to terminate his contract to join National League side Eastleigh. The request was granted on 1 December 2016.[49]

Eastleigh

[edit]

On 1 December 2016, Eastleigh had confirmed that Allen had joined up with them taking the Manager's position previously help by Ronnie Moore.[50] His first game incharge was in the FA Cup against Halifax Town which ended 3–3.[51] This required a replay in which Eastleigh went away to Halifax and won 2–0.[52] For the third round of the FA Cup Allen and Eastleigh were drawn an away match against Brentford. BBCs Football Focus interviewed Allen in the lead up to the game and he revealed he almost quit football due to health problems while suffering from stress at Barnet.[53] Eastleigh lost their game against Brentford 5–1.[54] Allen was fired by Eastleigh on 22 February 2017 after only winning two of his 14 games in charge.[55]

Fifth spell at Barnet

[edit]

On 19 March 2018, the departure of Graham Westley and the return of Allen as manager of Barnet was announced.[56] On 10 May 2018, it was announced that Allen had left the club, following relegation from the Football League.[57]

Chesterfield

[edit]

Less than a week after leaving Barnet, Allen was appointed manager of Chesterfield, who themselves had seen relegation from the Football League at the end of the 2017–18 season.[58] Allen was sacked on 27 December 2018, with the club sitting third bottom of the National League table.[59]

Personal life

[edit]

Family

[edit]

His cousins, Paul Allen, Bradley Allen and Clive Allen, were also footballers, as was his uncle Les Allen. His father, Dennis, played for Reading, Charlton Athletic and Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic. His son Charlie Allen played under his management at several clubs. His nephew Harry Grant played professionally,[60] and Harry's brother Freddie trained with Oxford United's youth team before being released by the club.[61]

Business career

[edit]

Having run his own soccer schools programme across 13 towns while still playing professionally. Allen, a UEFA Pro Licence holder and a graduate of the LMA's Certificate in Applied Management at Warwick University, created the company Pro FC which finds young people with the potential to become footballers. He is also non-exec director of the football charity, Coaching for Hope.[62]

Journalism

[edit]

In December 2013 Allen began writing for the Daily Mail. His column, "Mad Dog on Monday", is published online via the Daily Mail's website, Mail Online Sport.[63]

Managerial statistics

[edit]
As of 26 December 2018[64]
Managerial record by team and tenure
Team From To Record
P W D L Win %
Barnet March 2003 March 2004 47 20 17 10 042.55
Brentford 18 March 2004 31 May 2006 124 54 36 34 043.55
Milton Keynes Dons 21 June 2006 25 May 2007 55 28 11 16 050.91
Leicester City 25 May 2007 29 August 2007 4 2 1 1 050.00
Cheltenham Town 15 September 2008 11 December 2009 60 13 19 28 021.67
Barnet 23 March 2011 11 April 2011 3 2 1 0 066.67
Notts County 11 April 2011 18 February 2012 43 16 10 17 037.21
Barnet (caretaker) 16 April 2012 11 June 2012 3 2 0 1 066.67
Gillingham 5 July 2012 13 October 2013 64 27 17 20 042.19
Barnet 19 March 2014 1 December 2016 135 57 35 43 042.22
Eastleigh 1 December 2016 22 February 2017 14 2 5 7 014.29
Barnet 19 March 2018 9 May 2018 8 5 1 2 062.50
Chesterfield 15 May 2018 27 December 2018 30 7 12 11 023.33
Total 591 235 165 191 039.76

Honours

[edit]

As a player

[edit]

Queens Park Rangers

West Ham United

Individual

As a manager

[edit]

Brentford

Gillingham

Barnet

Individual

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Martin Allen

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Martin James Allen (born 14 August 1965) is an English former professional footballer and manager known for his combative midfield play and energetic managerial approach. Allen began his playing career at Queens Park Rangers, breaking into the first team in the mid-1980s before transferring to West Ham United in 1989, where he contributed to their push for promotion and European qualification. Over his playing career spanning more than 400 appearances across multiple clubs, he earned a reputation as a tenacious "Mad Dog" tackler, reflecting his family's footballing heritage—his father Dennis and uncle Les were also involved in the sport at professional levels. Transitioning to management in the early 2000s, Allen achieved notable success by guiding to the League One playoffs and Gillingham to the League Two championship in , marking his most prominent promotion accomplishment. However, his career has been marked by frequent club changes and dismissals, including five separate spells at Barnet and a departure from Town in 2009 despite exoneration from allegations of racial misconduct toward a player. These patterns highlight a managerial style emphasizing intensity and direct play but often clashing with club expectations or results in lower-tier English football.

Playing career

Allen began his professional career as a with Queens Park Rangers, having joined the club as a schoolboy and progressed through the youth system before signing professional terms in 1983. His league debut came on 23 March 1985 as a substitute in a 2–0 defeat away to Luton Town. Over six seasons at , he made more than 100 appearances, participated in the (a 3–1 aggregate defeat to ), and earned two caps for the England under-21 team. In August 1989, Allen transferred to West Ham United for a fee of £670,000, where he established himself as a tenacious and energetic presence in midfield. During his seven-year stint, he featured in 163 league matches (plus 27 as substitute), scoring 25 goals, including 58 appearances with 10 goals and 3 assists following West Ham's promotion in 1991. Allen joined on 11 September 1995 (initially on loan, made permanent in February 1996), contributing 45 league appearances and 4 goals across the 1995–96 and 1996–97 seasons. He concluded his playing days with a brief spell at Southend United in 1997–98, making 5 appearances before retiring in July 1998 at age 32.

Management style and philosophy

Martin Allen, known as "Mad Dog" for his intense and unconventional approach, emphasized motivational techniques and man-management in his coaching philosophy. He employed eccentric methods to foster team spirit, such as challenging players to swim across a dirty river during an early away trip to build resilience and camaraderie. At Barnet, he hosted pre-season gatherings at his home where players competed in games to determine sleeping arrangements, with winners securing beds and losers relegated to the floor or hammocks, instilling competitiveness and humility. These tactics reflected his belief in grounding players in reality, as seen in his decision to close canteens at and require players to cook their own meals to promote self-reliance. Tactically, Allen placed heavy emphasis on set pieces, devoting extensive time to video analysis and additional training sessions, which he credited for key results like a last-minute equalizer against . His coaching sessions also included drills on maintaining possession to enable playing out from the back, demonstrating a practical focus on foundational skills. Allen's sideline presence was notably enthusiastic, energizing both players and supporters, as observed during his Reading stint where it contributed to improved performances. In terms of broader , Allen viewed as requiring resilience amid volatility, stating that one "really [has] to be Mad" to endure the pressures and frequent sackings in football. He prioritized player welfare through customized recovery plans and , while fostering mutual with fans by joining buses to discuss tactics and express post-match. Over his career managing more than 500 matches, primarily in lower leagues, this blend of unorthodoxy and preparation yielded successes like promotions with MK Dons and Notts County, though critics noted a shift from early "fire-breathing" intensity to a more calculated demeanor later on.

Managerial career

Reading

Martin Allen joined as assistant manager in January 2000 under head coach , marking the start of his full-time coaching career at his hometown club. The team was struggling in the relegation zone upon his arrival, having endured a poor start to the season at the newly opened . Allen initially worked without a formal , motivated by his local ties and desire to contribute. To obtain the role, Allen later revealed he had exaggerated his coaching credentials, possessing no badges at the time despite claiming otherwise during interviews. His contributions emphasized and ; he enforced "military-style" regimens, such as punishing late arrivals with 7 a.m. sessions, and used incentives like post-match meals to boost player effort. These measures fostered improved team spirit and cohesion, coinciding with a reversal of fortunes that saw Reading stabilize and challenge competitively in the second half of the 1999–2000 season. Allen's partnership with Pardew emphasized bold tactics and player advocacy, including standout efforts like a motivational pre-match routine before a 2–2 draw at Preston North End. The duo's approach helped Reading avoid relegation and position for promotion contention, with the club achieving a fourth-place finish in 1999–2000 under Pardew's overall leadership. In the following 2000–01 campaign, Reading again reached the , demonstrating sustained progress during Allen's involvement. Allen was dismissed by Pardew at the end of October 2001 amid a run of poor results, which he described as the lowest point of his career, though some accounts framed the exit as mutual consent. His tenure, spanning nearly two years, laid foundational experience for his subsequent head managerial roles.

Barnet (first spell)

Martin Allen was appointed manager of Barnet in March 2003, succeeding Peter Shreeves as head coach of the Conference National club. He had joined the club earlier as assistant to Shreeves in March 2002. Allen rebuilt the squad ahead of the 2003–04 season, making key signings including defender Ian Hendon and forward Simon King, which contributed to improved defensive solidity and attacking output. Under his leadership, Barnet mounted a strong challenge in the Conference National, finishing fourth in the league table with 74 points from 42 matches (22 wins, 8 draws, 12 losses), qualifying for the promotion . The team scored 69 goals and conceded 46, reflecting a balanced performance that positioned them among the promotion contenders. Allen's tenure ended abruptly on 18 March 2004 when he departed for League Two side , who were facing relegation; Barnet were mid-season leaders in form at the time of his exit. His departure prompted criticism from Barnet supporters and officials, though it marked his first move to a professional Football League club. The club ultimately lost in the playoff semi-finals to Shrewsbury Town after his exit.

Brentford

Martin Allen was appointed manager of on 18 March 2004, taking charge of the club in Football League One amid a relegation battle. His first match resulted in a 3–2 victory over Rushden & Diamonds on 20 March 2004. Allen guided to safety, securing survival from relegation to League Two with a late-season rally known as "The Great Escape." In the 2004–05 season, finished fourth in League One, qualifying for the play-offs. They advanced past Lincoln City in the semi-finals but lost 5–4 on aggregate to Sheffield Wednesday in the final two legs. The team also reached the fifth round of the , defeating higher-division opponents before a 3–1 defeat to . The 2005–06 season saw Brentford again finish in the play-off positions, but they were eliminated 3–1 on aggregate by Swansea City in the semi-finals. In the FA Cup, Brentford progressed to the fifth round with a notable 2–1 upset victory over in the fourth round on 28 January 2006, before losing 3–1 to Charlton Athletic. Over his tenure, Allen managed 120 matches, achieving an average of 1.59 points per game. Allen resigned on 30 May 2006, shortly after the play-off exit, stating that the board's commitment to investing in the did not align with his ambitions for promotion. Brentford accepted his departure on 2 June 2006, despite him having 12 months remaining on his contract.

Milton Keynes Dons

Martin Allen was appointed manager of Milton Keynes Dons on 21 June 2006, succeeding Danny Wilson and taking charge of the League Two club ahead of the 2006–07 season. The club, backed by chairman , had significant financial resources and ambitions to climb the divisions rapidly, having relocated from Wimbledon and invested in infrastructure like the National Hockey Stadium. Under Allen's leadership, Dons finished fourth in League Two with 79 points from 46 matches, securing a play-off spot just one point shy of automatic promotion. Across all competitions, Allen managed 55 games, achieving 28 wins, 11 draws, and 16 losses, for a win percentage of approximately 51% and an average of 1.73 points per game. His tenure emphasized a high-energy, attacking style, leveraging the squad's resources to transform a mid-table side into promotion contenders. In the play-off semi-finals against Shrewsbury Town, Milton Keynes Dons lost the first leg 1–2 at home on 13 May 2007, with Shrewsbury's substitute Andy Cooke scoring twice. The second leg on 15 May 2007 ended 0–0 at Shrewsbury's Gay Meadow, eliminating Dons on a 2–1 aggregate and preventing a Wembley final appearance. Despite the disappointment, Allen's efforts positioned the club for future progress under successor Paul Ince. Allen departed by mutual consent on 24 May 2007 to join Leicester City in League One, leaving behind a squad poised for the Football League Trophy success the following season. His exit reflected the club's upward trajectory rather than underperformance, as evidenced by the strong league standing and competitive play-off run.

Leicester City

Martin Allen was appointed manager of Leicester City on 25 May 2007, following his departure from Dons, with the club negotiating a compensation package to secure his services. His tenure began in the , where Leicester had finished 20th the previous season under Rob Kelly. Allen's time at the club lasted just four matches into the 2007–08 season, yielding two wins, one draw, and one loss for a 50% win percentage. The brief spell included victories over Wolverhampton Wanderers and Sunderland, but ended after a 3–1 home defeat to Sheffield Wednesday on 25 August 2007. On 29 August 2007, Allen left Leicester by mutual consent following irreconcilable differences with chairman Milan Mandarić, primarily over transfer dealings and club strategy; Mandarić later cited non-football-related issues as the cause. This made Allen the shortest-serving manager in the club's history, with assistant Gerry Taggart briefly taking interim charge before Nigel Worthington's appointment.

Cheltenham Town

Allen was appointed Cheltenham Town manager on 15 September , replacing and signing a three-year ahead of a League One match against Rovers. The club, already near the relegation zone after a poor start to the 2008–09 season, finished 23rd under Allen's leadership, resulting in demotion to League Two. In the 2009–10 League Two campaign, endured another difficult spell, securing just two victories in their opening 11 fixtures. On 20 October 2009, Allen was suspended and placed on gardening leave amid police and club investigations into allegations that he had racially abused a following a night out; Allen vehemently denied the accusations from the outset. Assistant manager assumed control of the team during this period. Allen was formally cleared of misconduct by Cheltenham Town after internal inquiries concluded there was no evidence to substantiate the claims. Nevertheless, on 11 2009, he departed the club by mutual consent, with Schofield remaining in temporary charge. Over his 15-month tenure spanning 63 matches, Allen's record reflected the team's ongoing struggles in the lower tiers.

Barnet (second spell)

Allen was appointed Barnet manager on 23 March 2011, replacing Paul Fairclough on a short-term eight-game contract amid the club's battle against relegation from League Two. At the time, Barnet sat near the foot of the table, having won only four of their previous 38 league matches that season. During his brief tenure, Allen oversaw three unbeaten league matches: a 2–1 home win over Bradford City on 26 March, a 1–1 away draw at Lincoln City on 2 April, and a 4–0 home victory against Burton Albion on 9 April. These results contributed to Barnet's survival, as the club ultimately finished 20th in the 2010–11 League Two table, six points clear of the relegation zone. On 11 April 2011, after just 19 days and three games in charge, Allen departed Barnet to manage League One side Notts County, who had dismissed earlier that month. Barnet chairman Tony Kleanthous responded by reporting Notts County to the Football League, alleging a tapping-up approach and seeking compensation for Allen's services, though the matter was resolved without public details on any settlement.

Notts County

Martin Allen was appointed manager of Notts County on 11 April 2011, agreeing to a one-year rolling contract after departing Barnet following just three matches in a caretaker role. The move made him the club's eighth manager in 18 months, succeeding who had been dismissed earlier that month. Allen oversaw the final matches of the 2010–11 League One season, guiding the team to survival with positive results in the closing fixtures. In the subsequent 2011–12 campaign, Notts County experienced inconsistent form under his leadership, managing 43 matches overall during his tenure with an average of 1.33 points per game. His dismissal came on 18 February 2012, immediately following a 3–0 defeat at Hartlepool United, amid a dip in performance that left the club vulnerable in the relegation battle. Allen was replaced by , with the sacking occurring despite the recent loss not being isolated but part of broader struggles.

Barnet (third spell)

Allen was appointed caretaker manager of Barnet on 16 April 2012, replacing for the final three matches of the 2011–12 League Two season, during which the club sat in the relegation zone with only nine points from their previous 43 games under Sanchez. In his three games in charge, Allen guided Barnet to an unbeaten record of two wins and one draw, accumulating seven points and securing the club's Football League status with a 2–1 over Burton Albion on the final day of the season, which propelled them to 22nd place and avoided relegation by one point ahead of Northampton Town. The results marked Barnet's first consecutive victories in 76 games and demonstrated Allen's immediate impact in high-pressure survival scenarios. Allen departed Barnet on 24 June 2012 to take up the managerial position at Gillingham, ending his brief third spell at the club after successfully averting relegation without a full-time extension.

Gillingham

Martin Allen was appointed manager of Gillingham on 5 July 2012, signing a two-year after leaving Notts County. The club, competing in Football League Two, sought stability following Andy Hessenthaler's departure, with chairman citing Allen's experience and motivational style as key factors. In the 2012–13 season, Allen guided Gillingham to the League Two title, securing promotion to League One with 83 points from 46 matches, including 24 wins and a goal difference of +37. This marked Allen's first divisional championship as a manager, achieved through a solid defensive record and key signings like and Charlie Lee, though the campaign featured early inconsistencies before a strong finish. The following season in League One proved challenging, with Gillingham earning just two league victories in their first 11 fixtures by October 2013, placing them near the relegation zone. Allen's overall record at the club stood at 64 matches, 27 wins, 17 draws, and 20 losses, yielding a 42% win percentage. Allen was dismissed on 13 October 2013, after 16 months in charge, as Scally prioritized the club's long-term prospects amid the poor start. Allen expressed disappointment but acknowledged the decision, noting the prior promotion as a highlight despite squad limitations in the higher division.

Barnet (fourth spell)

Allen was appointed Barnet head coach on 19 March 2014, returning to the club for a fourth time and signing a contract until the end of the 2014–15 season. At the time of his appointment, Barnet were ninth in the Conference Premier table, one point outside the play-off positions with eight games remaining. Allen guided Barnet to the 2013–14 Conference Premier title, the club's third success at that level, earning promotion back to the Football League after relegation the previous year. Key to the promotion campaign was striker John Akinde, who scored 31 league goals under Allen's management. In Barnet's return to League Two for the 2014–15 season, Allen's side finished mid-table, securing survival and consolidation at the fourth tier. The team repeated this stability in 2015–16, again avoiding relegation while competing competitively in the division. Allen extended his contract in October 2016 amid a strong start to the 2016–17 campaign. However, on 1 December 2016, he left Barnet by mutual consent to become manager of National League club . At the point of departure, Barnet sat just outside the League Two play-off positions.

Eastleigh

Martin Allen was appointed manager of on 1 December 2016, leaving Barnet after his fourth spell there to take charge of the National League club. This made him the third manager of the season for the Spitfires, succeeding Chris Todd. During his 84-day tenure, Allen oversaw 14 matches, securing just two victories amid a run of poor form that saw drop to 15th in the table following a 1-0 defeat to Town on 21 February 2017. His league record stood at two wins, five draws, and six losses across 13 fixtures, yielding seven points from a possible 30. Eastleigh chief executive Mark Jewell stated that the club had "no choice" but to terminate Allen's contract with immediate effect on 22 February 2017, citing the need to arrest the team's decline. Allen later described the dismissal as disappointing in a March 2017 .

Barnet (fifth spell)

On 19 March 2018, Barnet Football Club dismissed manager and appointed Martin Allen for a fifth spell in charge, with the club rooted to the bottom of League Two and seven points adrift of safety with eight league matches left in the 2017–18 season. Allen's tenure began with a 2–0 away defeat to Luton Town on 24 March 2018, broadcast live on . Despite the inauspicious start, he guided the team to five wins in his eight league fixtures, including a run that briefly lifted Barnet off the foot of the table. This late surge yielded 15 points from a possible 24 but could not overcome the earlier deficit, as Barnet's relegation to the National League was mathematically confirmed on 5 May 2018 after a 3–1 home win over Chesterfield, coupled with a draw elsewhere that secured survival for rivals . Allen left the club by mutual consent on 10 May 2018, two days after the final league match—a 3–0 home defeat to Accrington Stanley—which concluded Barnet's 117-year stint in the Football League.

Chesterfield

Martin Allen was appointed manager of Chesterfield on 15 May 2018, shortly after the club's relegation from to the National League at the end of the 2017–18 season. The 52-year-old Allen, known for his multiple spells at Barnet, signed a two-year contract with the aim of stabilizing the squad and mounting a promotion challenge in . He quickly focused on reshaping the team by recruiting experienced players to form a competitive spine, emphasizing discipline and a direct playing style typical of his previous managerial approaches. Allen began his tenure promisingly, securing victories in Chesterfield's first three National League matches of the 2018–19 season. However, form deteriorated sharply thereafter, with the team managing only one additional league win in the subsequent 22 fixtures. Over 25 league games, Allen's win ratio stood at 16%, comprising four victories, reflecting relegation-level performance amid broader club challenges including off-field disruptions and recruitment difficulties that hindered squad cohesion. Chesterfield parted ways with Allen on 27 December 2018, following a 4–0 home defeat to Solihull Moors on that propelled the club into the National League relegation zone. His dismissal came after approximately seven months in charge, during which the Spireites failed to build on early momentum, exacerbating financial and competitive pressures at the club. Despite praise for his in dealings with staff, Allen's inability to arrest the decline underscored persistent issues in player acquisition and tactical adaptation to the National League environment.

Personal life

Family

Allen was born into a footballing family in , , on 14 August 1965. His father, Denis Allen, played professionally as a defender for clubs including and Queens Park Rangers in the 1950s and 1960s. His uncle, , was a forward who won the First Division and double with Tottenham Hotspur in 1961 and later managed the club. Allen's cousins—, , and —also pursued professional careers; Clive represented at senior level and scored prolifically for Tottenham Hotspur and . Allen married Gabriella, with whom he had multiple children. The marriage ended in divorce, which Allen later described as financially burdensome and emotionally challenging, recounting a period of living alone in a flat without daily access to his children around 2006. He has spoken of attending the birth of at least one child, prioritizing family over professional obligations such as matches. Allen has referenced his son in discussions of family involvement in football, continuing the generational legacy.

Business career

Allen established a network of youth soccer schools while still an active professional player, beginning with a single program in Reading in 1985 that initially served 30-40 children. By the early 1990s, the venture had expanded to 13 towns across , employing around 20 coaches and accommodating approximately 1,000 children per week for coaching sessions focused on skill development and rejected young players' reintegration into football. This operation provided Allen with practical experience in , logistics, and business management, which he credited with honing his entrepreneurial skills alongside his athletic career. The soccer schools operated as a private initiative, distinct from club-affiliated academies, and emphasized accessible coaching to broaden participation in the sport. Allen maintained involvement in such programs intermittently during his managerial tenure, including efforts to support underprivileged or overlooked youth talents, though the core remained rooted in his playing-era expansion. No further large-scale commercial ventures beyond coaching-related activities have been documented in his post-playing .

Journalism and media work

Allen has pursued a in football media following his managerial roles, serving as a and commentator across multiple broadcasters. He has provided analysis for , including coverage of UEFA Europa Conference League matches. On , Allen has contributed commentary, such as for replays, and offered opinions on player performances and team strategies. Allen has appeared on as a , including for fixtures like versus Chelsea, where he discussed tactical aspects and player evaluations. He has also featured on ITV for coverage in 2014, analyzing matches in studio segments. Additional outlets include , where he has delivered expert commentary on football matters. In addition to broadcasting, Allen has engaged in written media, initiating blogging efforts through Pro FC, a company he co-founded with DJ Campbell to support young footballers, sharing insights on coaching and career development. His media email, [email protected], indicates ongoing professional involvement in football analysis and content creation.

Managerial record

Honours

As a player

Allen began his professional playing career as an apprentice at Queens Park Rangers in 1983, making his league debut on 23 March 1985 in a 2–0 defeat to Luton Town. Over six seasons with QPR, he appeared in 128 league matches (8 as substitute), scoring 16 goals, and featured in the , where the team lost 3–0 to Oxford United after extra time. His time at QPR included 167 total appearances and 19 goals, contributing to the club's mid-1980s competitiveness, including a fifth-place finish in the First Division in 1983. In August 1989, Allen transferred to United for £675,000 amid tensions with QPR manager , who had omitted him from a match due to the birth of his son. At , the central earned the nickname "Mad Dog" from supporters for his aggressive tackling and relentless style, playing 163 league games (27 as substitute) and scoring 25 goals between 1989 and 1996. He recorded 234 total appearances and 34 goals for the club, including a debut goal via diving header against Plymouth Argyle in August 1989, and contributed to playoff campaigns that aimed for promotion to the top flight. In the era after West Ham's 1991 promotion via playoffs (though Allen joined post-final loss), he made 58 appearances with 10 goals and 3 assists. Allen's career wound down with , initially on loan from September 1995, where he scored 3 goals in 15 league appearances, before a permanent £500,000 move in February 1996 that yielded 19 league starts (11 substitute) and 1 goal until 1999. He ended his playing days on loan at Southend United from September to November 1997, featuring in 5 league matches without scoring, and retired in July 1998. Across his career, spanning 1983 to 1999, Allen amassed 330 league appearances (46 as substitute) and 45 goals as a tenacious , also earning two caps for U21.

As a manager

Martin Allen's managerial career commenced with roles as reserve team manager at and assistant manager at Reading under from 2000 to 2003. His first head managerial position was at Barnet, appointed on 1 March 2003, where he inherited a team struggling in the Conference National and steered them to the top of the table by early 2004 before leaving for on 18 March 2004. At , from March 2004 to May 2006, Allen managed 120 matches, achieving a points per match average of 1.59, and led the club to the League One play-off final, though they were defeated by Swansea City. Allen subsequently managed Dons from June 2006 to May 2007, overseeing 55 matches with a 1.73 points per match rate and guiding the team to the League Two play-offs. His stint at Leicester City, from May 2007 to August 2007, was brief, lasting four matches. At Cheltenham Town, appointed in September 2008 and dismissed in December 2009, he recorded 64 matches with a lower 0.94 points per match. Allen's tenure at Gillingham, starting July 2012, marked his most notable achievement: winning the Football League Two title in the 2012–13 season to secure promotion to League One, his first as a manager. However, after a poor start to the following campaign with only two league wins in 11 games, he was sacked in October 2013. Known for his intense, motivational "Mad Dog" style, Allen emphasized physical fitness, set-piece routines, and team bonding, though his career featured frequent short spells across multiple clubs, including five separate appointments at Barnet. Overall, he managed over 500 matches, predominantly in lower-tier English football, with mixed results reflecting both promotions and relegations.

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