Rory Allen

[Kevin_Yahoo]

I'm writing a little article about this young man. What do you remember about his short, tragic time at Pompey?

[Earl Grey]

Rory had the most unusual medical condition.
Every time there was a decent cricket match on he'd develop an injury or illness that stopped him playing football!

Also, never go to TGI Fridays with him!!!

[Weybridge]

Our record signing at the time.

He showed a lot of promise, but his best performance was probably the 152-glass beer snake during the 3rd Test at the WACA.

[Far Post Brisley]

Arrived in a blaze of glory, club record signing after playing a few games for Spurs and sent out on loan, (Luton perhaps) but in the beginnings of the Mandaric era, he was the big new signing striker to turn our scratching around the bottom of the second tier, cant recall if it was Div 2 or Div 1 or Championship at the time.
He got injured before the season started but played first few games of the season, looked ok, lots of effort and energy, but like many others before and since, no real prolific finishing!
He got a fairly serious ankle injury in September of that season but came back by end of season for a few sub appearances etc. He also had a few issues in local bars at this sort of time, Pompey were struggling, big time striker on the booze, despite injury, = fan grudge and local press feast!

Next pre season started the knee injury saga of two seasons, after one full season of reserve team comebacks and breakdowns, then a full preseason leading up to his last year of a three year contract, he started to go AWOL from training and physio sessions thus annoying the club; and in the November 2002 before an Ashes tour he resigned by letter to the club and when they tried to track him down he was with his London mates, watching England as part of the Barmy Army.

There was talk that he would join Steve Claridge at Weymouth when he was there a few years later but nothing came of it. As I understand it he is still on the local cricket circuit in London and working behind a desk, rather than any sporting living.