| Bth | 21/03//67 | Dioniolen | Wales |
| P/H/W | Forward | 5ft 8in | |
| Jnd | 13/08/93 | Millwall | £300,000 |
| Deb | 14/08/93 | Tottenham (H) | Pr |
| Ret | 12/95 | Injured | |
| A/G | 12 (1) | 7 |
Welsh international Malcolm Allen was signed a day before the first game of the 1993/94 season with Kevin Keegan looking for additional forward cover after Peter Beardsley suffered a fractured cheekbone in Ronnie Whelan’s pre-season testimonial.
During his time in the team Allen proved to be a skilful and tricky player capable of playing in midfield or up front. He demonstrated a sure touch on the ball and an eye for goal.
An all-action player he played with a level of determination and passion that immediately endeared him to the fans and had the courage to take over as penalty taker in Beardsley’s absence.
Allen performed better than anyone could have expected and scored seven goals in just twelve games. He did so well that even when Beardsley returned he kept his place.
However he lost his place in the side after the Coca Cola Cup defeat at Wimbledon for which Keegan apologised, explaining that he just had a gut feeling to try something different. Unfortunately, that was the beginning of the end for Allen on Tyneside and his football career in general.
Although he earned plaudits for his performances in the Reserves where he was a regular scorer there was no recall. In certain quarters it was believed that Allen was being ostracised because of a drink-driving arrest in November in which he was three times over the limit.
Then a knee injury in December 1993 was followed by a a cruciate ligament injury in March 1994. A series of operations followed and he made a number of comebacks in the Reserves. Allen also played for the first team one more time, as a substitute in the home game against Tottenham at the end of the 1994/95 season.
Sadly he was eventually advised to retire in December 1995 as he risked permanent damage to his knee if he continued to play. He had had seven operations on the knee in total during his career.
After an unsuccessful trial at Manchester United as a youngster Allen joined Watford and signed professional in March 1985. He went to Villa on loan before joining Norwich City and then Millwall in March 1990. He was out for a year at the Den with a cruciate ligament injury.
After an excellent start Allen was dropped and in November he was charged with drink-driving. The following January he was banned for thirty months when the case was heard in court. He was more than three times over the limit after drowning his sorrows after he had been dropped.
He then suffered a knee injury in December and in March he was carried off against Blackburn Rovers in March with a cruciate ligament injury.
He had two operations during the summer and returned to training in November only for cartilage issues to resurface a month later which required another operation.
He worked his way back and by March 1995 he looked to be back to full fitness again. He was recalled to the first team squad and replaced Bracewell in the 3-3 home draw with Tottenham in May.
He played in pre-season only to suffer another injury to the same knee against Bishop Auckland. He came back sooner than expected but needed another exploratory operation in September.
In October he was arrested twice in the space of ten days. Firstly over the alleged use of a counterfeit £20 note (which turned out to be genuine) and then after allegedly running off without paying a taxi fare.
In December Allen was advised to retire as he risked permanent damage to his knee if he continued.
Painting by Piotr