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 Allen circa 1984 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | (1959-10-02)2 October 1959 (age 65) | ||
| Place of birth | Guernsey,Channel Islands | ||
| Position(s) | Striker | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1979–1981 | California Surf | 74 | (19) |
| 1979–1981 | California Surf (indoor) | 29 | (36) |
| 1981–1982 | New Jersey Rockets (indoor) | 22 | (22) |
| 1982–1988 | Cleveland Force (indoor) | 254 | (275) |
| International career | |||
| Guernsey | |||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Craig Allen is a formerGuernseyassociation footballstriker who played professionally in theNorth American Soccer League andMajor Indoor Soccer League.
In 1979, the nineteen-year-old Allen came to California on vacation. While in California, he attended an open tryout with theCalifornia Surf of theNorth American Soccer League and gained a contract offer. Over three years, he played three NASL outdoor and two NASL indoor seasons with the Surf.
In 1981, he moved to theNew Jersey Rockets of theMajor Indoor Soccer League. After one season, he moved to theCleveland Force where he played for six seasons. In 1988, the Force lost to the San Diego Sockers in the MISL championship.
In June 1988, the Force released Allen.[1] By this time he had played 254 league games, scored 275 goals and added 180 assists with Cleveland.
In March 1993, Allen scored a record 7 goals forGuernsey in their 10–0 win againstAlderney in the semi-final of theMuratti Vase. This was his first Muratti-appearance since 1978. (Although he failed to find the net in the final as Guernsey lost 1–2 againstJersey).[citation needed]
Craig's son, Ross Allen, is also a competitive footballer, and was namedGuernsey Football Association Division One Player of the Year for 2008–09.[2] He currently plays forGuernsey in theIsthmian League Division One South. In August 2011, he was allegedly scouted bySwindon Town.[3]