Paul Allen (footballer)

Paul Kevin Allen (born 28 August 1962 in Aveley, Thurrock, Essex) is an English former footballer who played as a midfielder in the Football League for West Ham United, Tottenham Hotspur, Southampton, Luton Town, Stoke City, Swindon Town, Bristol City and Millwall in the 1980s and 1990s. He won three caps for England at under-21 level.

Career

At 17 years and 256 days old, Allen's appearance for West Ham United against Arsenal in the 1980 FA Cup Final made him the youngest player to appear in an FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium, though James Prinsep played at a younger age at Kennington Oval in 1879. Both records have since been broken. His debut for West Ham had come on 29 September 1979 when 32 days after his 17th birthday he had appeared for the club in their 2-1 home win over Burnley in the Second Division. He collected a Second Division title medal for the Hammers in 1980-81 and helped re-establish them as a First Division side.

He made 152 league appearances for the Hammers, scoring six goals, before a £400,000 fee took him to their London rivals Tottenham Hotspur on 19 June 1985.

Allen went on to play in two FA Cup finals for Tottenham Hotspur, on the losing side in 1987 but victorious in 1991.

In eight years with Tottenham, he played 392 league games and scored 21 goals.

He remained at White Hart Lane until 16 September 1993, when a £550,000 deal took him to Southampton. He...
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