Skip to main content

Jim "Bummer" Allen

One of the multi-talented stars of the era of amateur sportmen, "Bummer" Allen helped put Limavady on the footballing map, only for the club to be lost to Junior football following the foundation of the Irish League.

Name:
James Allen
Born:
12 May 1859, Limavady
Position:
Back
Representative Honours:
Ireland: 1 Full Cap (1887); Co. Londonderry Representative (1887/88, 1888/89, 1889/90).

Club Honours: (with Limavady) Irish Cup Runner-Up 1884/85, 1885/86; North West Cup Winner 1887, 1887, 1888, 1889, 1890, 1891, 1893, Runner-Up 1892, 1894.

Club Career:
Clubs
Seasons
Signed
Fee
League
FA Cup
Other
Limavady Wanderers
1882/83
1882
Amateur
0/0
-
-
Alexander
1883/84
1883
Amateur
0/0
-
-
Limavady
1884/85-1893/94
1884
Amateur
0/0
-
-
TOTALS
£10,000
0/0
-
-

Biography:
Jim "Bummer" Allen was recognised for his strong play and heading ability. He combined his football with cricket and when Limavady Wanderers Cricket Club members formed a football club in 1882 it was Allen who became the club's representative at the Irish FA. In 1883 he joined local rivals Alexander and continued to play for Limavady following their formation by the amalgamation of Alexander and Wanderers in 1884.

Allen was twice an Irish Cup runner-up, losing out to Distillery in the 1885 and 1886 finals. He had more joy in the North West Cup and he was the only player to play in each final from 1887 to 1894, claiming a record (equal with Matt Douglas) six winner's medals. In 1888 Limavady completed a North West Senior Football and Cricket Cup double!

Aside from his single Ireland cap, in a 7-0 defeat by England in 1887, the highlight of Allen's footballing career must have been Limavady's January 1886 trip to England, where they defeated Everton 1-0 at Anfield - the only Irish side ever to do so.

Ireland Full Cap Details:
1
05-02-1887
England
A
L
0-7
BC
(27 years, 269 days)

Summary: 1/0. Won 0, Drew 0, Lost 1.

Additional details by George Glass.

Comments