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United Kingdom Martin Allen has a distinguished career as both a professional footballer and manager, known for leading multiple clubs to promotions and achieving significant milestones.
Martin Allen co-founded Pro FC, a company dedicated to identifying and supporting young footballers with potential, providing them with opportunities in the sport.
Martin Allen contributed a regular column titled 'Mad Dog on Monday' for the Daily Mail's online sports section, Mail Online Sport, sharing his insights and opinions on football.
Martin Allen serves as a non-executive director for Coaching for Hope, a football charity focused on using football as a tool for social development.
While at Barnet, a £2m sponsorship deal was secured with Toshiba Medical Systems, marking a significant financial partnership for the club while it was in the fifth tier.
Martin James Allen, born on August 14, 1965, in Reading, England, embarked on a notable career in English football. Known affectionately as “Mad Dog” for his energetic playing style, Allen began his professional journey with Queens Park Rangers in 1983, where he spent six years and featured in the 1986 League Cup final. His capabilities as a midfielder were further showcased during a six-year tenure with West Ham United, making 190 appearances and scoring 25 goals, contributing to the club’s promotions to the First Division in 1991 and the Premier League in 1993. Allen concluded his playing career with stints at Portsmouth and Southend United before transitioning into management.
Allen’s managerial career commenced as an assistant manager at Reading, where he played a crucial role in transforming the team from a relegation battle to a top-10 finish and eventual promotion to Division One. He took on his first full managerial role at Barnet in 2003, showcasing his ability to build competitive teams. A significant period followed at Brentford (2004-2006), where despite a limited budget, he achieved consecutive play-off finishes and led the team to the FA Cup fifth round twice, including a notable upset against Premier League side Sunderland in 2006. His coaching acumen was further recognized when he earned his UEFA Pro Licence, marking him as a highly qualified football professional.
Throughout his career, Allen demonstrated a consistent ability to rejuvenate clubs and secure promotions. After management roles at Milton Keynes Dons, Leicester City, and Cheltenham Town, he notably returned to Barnet four more times across different periods, leading them to the Football Conference championship in 2015 and promotion back to League Two. A defining achievement was leading Gillingham to the Football League Two title in the 2012-13 season, his first divisional title as a manager, for which he was named LMA League Two Manager of the Season. His pragmatic and results-driven approach, often characterized by unconventional motivational methods, defines a career dedicated to football success.
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