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.
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:
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.
Name:
|
James Allen
|  |
Born: Died: |
12 May 1859, Magilligan 19 March 1929, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania (USA)
| |
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.
Allen later settled in the USA where his occupation was listed as yeoman. He died of a cerebral hemorrhage at St Lukes Hospital in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania in 1929 and is buried at Calvary Cemetery, North Catasauqua.
Ireland Full Cap Details:
Summary: 1/0. Won 0, Drew 0, Lost 1.
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.
Representative Honours:
26-12-1884 Co. Antrim 2-2 Co. Derry
26-12-1885 Belfast 0-0 The Counties (tbc)
27-12-1887 Co. Antrim 5-2 Co. Derry (tbc)
Additional details by George Glass.
Additional details by George Glass.
Comments