Brynley Allen

Brynley William Allen (23 March 1921 – 21 July 2005) was a Welsh professional footballer who played as an inside forward for various clubs in the 1940s and 1950s and made two appearances for Wales.

Football career Allen was born in Gilfach Goch, Glamorgan and as a schoolboy attracted the attention of several football League clubs, including Manchester United, where he had an unsuccessful trial. On leaving school, he was employed in the Trave Colliery before signing for Swansea Town when he was 16. Allen soon became a regular with Cardiff and his 18 goals helped them to promotion at the end of the first post-war Football League campaign. Allen, however, did not remain long in the Second Division and was transferred to Newport County in October 1947. but in May 1949 he was transferred to Reading. Nine months later, he was back in the Second Division with Coventry City. In January 1950, Reading had played an evening match against Coventry City; after the match, Reading's manager Ted Drake mentioned to Harry Storer that Allen was available for transfer. Storer then set off immediately to Allen's home, where he persuaded him to sign, with the deal being completed at midnight. Allen retained his place for the next match against England the following month; this match also ended in a defeat for Wales.

Allen remained with Coventry until 1952, when he dropped down to non-league football with Merthyr Tydfil, before spells at Hereford United, Barry Town and Haverfordwest Athletic.

International appearances Roberts made two appearances for Wales in official international matches, as follows:

Date Venue Opponent Result Goals Competition 21 October 1950 Ninian Park, Cardiff 1–3 0 1951 British Home Championship 15 November 1950 Roker Park, Sunderland 2–4 0 1951 British Home Championship WinDrawLoss

Later career After leaving professional football, Allen worked as a postman in his home town of Gilfach Goch, where he died on 21 July 2005. He was buried at Tonyrefail Cemetery.

In May 2007, Allen's collection of sporting memorabilia came up for auction. The lots included his Football League Division Three (South) Championship medal from 1946 to 1947 (sold for £1,100), his international jerseys from the matches against Scotland and England in 1950 (sold for £600 each) and a scrapbook of ephemera.

Honours Cardiff City Third Division South champions: 1946–47

Barry Town Welsh Cup winners: 1955