Ex-QPR Star Bradley Allen Interviewed

-
[The focus is obviously on Allen and Grimsby; but still interesting to read re a player with a strong family tie to QPR
-
Grimsby Official Site - In Profile. . . Bradley Allen
By Jonathan Byrne

The Allen family is synonymous with football, and the latest member of the clan to make a splash, Oliver, is in today's opponents' squad. The Mariners have of course got their own Allen connection with former striker Bradley, who plied his trade at Blundell Park between 1999 and 2002.

Since leaving Blundell Park in the summer of 2002, Bradley has wound down his football career, and now holds a variety of roles within the game: "I had spells at Peterborough and Bristol Rovers after I left Grimsby," revealed Bradley, "then I went on the non-league circuit with some clubs in my local area, Hornchurch, Redbridge and Billericay, before I hung up my boots in 2004."

Older brother Clive is perhaps most famous for his time at Tottenham, where he once scored 49 goals in a season, Bradley followed his older brother into the White Hart Lane backroom staff, as well as a role in the media: "I'm the Under-14s coach at Tottenham," declared Bradley, "and that is very enjoyable. I also do commentary for BBC Radio in London, and I'm a PE teacher at a school in my local area, so I'm keeping very busy."

A conversation with Bradley wouldn't complete without a mention for the latest Allen protégé, Oliver, who has caught the eye for the Bees this season, Bradley has high praise for his young nephew: "He's done very well for himself," he stated, "Olly actually began his career at West Ham as a trainee, but then joined Birmingham."

He continued: "He scored plenty for Birmingham's Reserves, but the games weren't at regular intervals, and to be fair to Steve Bruce he felt that it would be best if Olly got some regular football under his belt elsewhere.

"Paul Fairclough took a chance on him and it seems to have paid off. Olly is a good young professional, and I'm sure he's got what it takes to be a success."

The mere mention of the name Allen can spark a media frenzy, and Oliver's breakthrough to football has been no exception, Bradley feels the 20-year-old striker can cope with the pressure though: "He's a very level-headed young man," he said, "he wants to concentrate on his football, and he likes to get his head down and get on with his game."

Mariners' fans are no strangers to Bradley, and he feels that the return of Alan Buckley to the club can be the springboard for a Grimsby Town revival: "Of course Sgt. Buckley was the man who brought me to Grimsby," he chuckled, "he has black and white running through his veins and I'm sure there are many teams who won't relish coming to Blundell Park next season."

He went on: "You know what you are going to get from Alan's teams. He likes to play passing football at a high tempo - passing and movement - it has always paid off for him, and I see no reason why it can't again."

Looking back on his time at Blundell Park, Bradley admits that one particular period stands out for him: "The run-in for the 2001/02 season when we avoided relegation from what is now the Championship," he admitted, "the partnership I struck up with Michael Boulding was fantastic, and although that season ended in disappointment for me personally, I still look back on those times.

"I think the achievement of those players to drag us from the foot of the division to safety was unbelievable - they all deserve a pat on the back, especially at the level we were at."

Not unlike this season, a media campaign seemed to kick-start the Mariners, Bradley feels that a scheme like the 12th Man Campaign is a great help: "Of course it is," he said, "it was great to see Blundell Park fill up every week and we were getting crowds of 7-8,000. The Crystal Palace (5-2) and Burnley (3-1) really stick in my mind because the atmosphere was just electric."

He concluded: "Grimsby have gone through some rough times of late, but in my opinion they have the right man at the helm to turn things around and get them a promotion or two." - Grimsby Official

See Also:

Wikipedia on Bradley Allen

Profile of Bradley Allen