view Allan's match-by-match record
 
Jimmy ALLAN

Allan signed on as an apprentice for the Town two weeks before his seventeenth birthday, having previously played in the Highland League for Brora Rangers, and he made his debut on September 4th, 1971 - in a 0-0 home draw with Queens Park Rangers. It was another two seasons before Allan became the club's first choice keeper - replacing the legendary Peter Downsborough after his public falling out with manager Les Allen.

A committed Christian, Allan became the first professional player ever to refuse to appear on a Sunday. He consequently lost his place in the side, and he didn't make the number one jersey his own again for over a year, when fellow keeper Jim Barron left the club to coach in the US.

Allan went on to make over 370 league appearances for the Town in all competitions, and it should have been more - his career was brought to an untimely end after a collision with Rochdale's Steve Johnson in a match in October 1983 left him with a shattered left arm.

After a lengthy battle against the injury, Allan was forced to retire, and he was rewarded with a testimonial match versus Chelsea in May 1986. Eventually, he went into coaching, and actually made a couple of appearances in the Western League for Torrington, a full ten years after retiring from the game, and despite only being able to make one-handed saves!

PLAYING RECORD:

Season LEAGUE FA CUP LEAGUE CUP OTHER TOTAL
Played Gls Played Gls Played Gls Played Gls Played Gls
'83/'84 8 - - - 2 - - - 10 -
'82/'83 45 - 5 - 2 - - - 52 -
'81/'82 46 - 3 - 2 - - - 51 -
'80/'81 45 - 2 - 5 - - - 52 -
'79/'80 44 - 6 - 11 - - - 61 -
'78/'79 24 - 1 - - - - - 25 -
'77/'78 45 - 4 - 5 - - - 54 -
'76/'77 43 - 7 - 2 - - - 52 -
'75/'76 10 - - - 1 - - - 11 -
'74/'75 6 - - - - - - - 6 -
'73/'74 35 - 2 - 3 - - - 40 -
'72/'73 13 - 2 - - - - - 15 -
'71/'72 7 - - - - - - - 7 -
TOTAL 371 - 32 - 33 - - - 436 -


TRANSFER INFORMATION:

DATE IN/OUT TRANSFER DETAIL
OCT 1970 IN Brora Rangers
(signed youth contract)
JUL 1971 IN (signed professional contract)
1985 OUT (retired from professional football)
» Torrington


full name

James Allan


 SCOTLAND

date of birth
10 November 1953


             
             
             
             
             
           

usual positions
goalkeeper

youth career
Brora Rangers 
SWINDON TOWN

senior career
SWINDON TOWN

Torrington
player-coach