*Indicates unconfirmed information. Figures in brackets after English team names indicate all appearances made and goals scored in competitive matches for Football League clubs from 1888 onwards. For Scottish League clubs the figures show details of all competitive appearances and goals scored from 1946/47 onwards.
Allen Batsford
Appearances: 10 Goals: 1
Date / Year of birth: 9th April 1932
Position: Midfielder
Season of first appearance: 1959/60
Season of last appearance: 1959/60
Also played for: Arsenal (0), Folkestone Town and Ramsgate Athletic
Hard working, thoughtful midfielder who began his career as a junior at Arsenal, joining them as an amateur in 1947. Allen then signed professional forms for the Gunners in July 1949 and stayed with the club until May 1955. During his eight years at Highbury Allen made over 200 appearances in Arsenal's youth, reserve and third teams and picked up London FA Challenge Cup, Eastern Counties League Championship and London Midweek Championship winners medals. However he never made a first team appearance.
After leaving Arsenal Allen spent three years with Folkestone before signing for Ramsgate in July 1958. He left Southwood to join Margate in the summer of 1959.
Allen made his debut in midfield in a 7-0 win over Dover at Hartsdown Park on 3.9.59. He went on to make a total of ten first team appearances during the early part of the 1959/60 season and scored once - the only goal in a 1-0 win over Folkestone at Hartsdown in a Kent Senior Shield tie on 21.10.59. However he wasn't able to establish himself and spent the majority of the campaign in the reserves before leaving Margate at the end of the season.
Allen later went on to achieve great managerial success in the non-league game, starting with Feltham before enjoying a nine year spell in charge of Walton & Hersham. During that time the club won the Athenian League (1968/69) and the FA Amateur Cup at Wembley (1972/73). Walton also played Margate in the FA Cup during the 1972/73 season.
Allen then took over at Wimbledon and guided the club to three Southern League titles. Wimbledon also enjoyed several famous FA Cup runs during his time in charge.
Allen then had short spells in charge of Dulwich and Hillingdon before enjoying further success with Wealdstone, winning the Southern League once more with them. However during his time there he had a triple heart by-pass operation and the Wealdstone job was Allen's last managerial post. He then worked as a scout for Sheffield United, Watford and Nottingham Forest, travelling all over England and Europe.
In later years he spent six years as Youth Development Manager at Millwall and in 2003 Allen was still working for the Lions, assessing future opponents and scouting.
During the 2004/05 season he was President of Walton & Hersham.
Allen died on 28.12.09 aged 77 having suffered a heart attack at Fulham Broadway underground station on the way home from watching a game between Chelsea and Fulham. Former Wimbledon keeper Dickie Guy told the Daily Mail "He was a nice man, a great friend and a good manager" whilst many Wimbledon and Wealdstone supporters posted messages on the internet saying that Allen was the best manager their clubs had ever had.
|
SEASON (CLUB) |
FULL (MAX) |
SUB |
GLS |
|
FAC |
SLC |
KSC |
KSS |
|
|
1959/60 (MFC) |
10 (57) |
N/A |
1 |
SOUTHERN LEAGUE DIVISION ONE (7TH OF 22) |
2R |
1R |
RU |
SF |
|