Jock Allan
Encyclopedia
James “Jock” Allan is a deceased Scottish football
full back
who began his career in the Scottish League before moving to The Football League
. After he was banned for life by the Football Association for match fixing, he moved to the United States
where he spent five seasons in the American Soccer League
.
On May 10, 1913, he transferred to Bury F.C.
and remained with the team until 1923. On May 1, 1920, Bury tied at Coventry City F.C.
That tie allowed Coventry to remain in the Football League at the expense of Lincoln City F.C.
It eventually came to light that Coventry and Bury had conspired to fix the match. On March 30, 1923, after investigating the allegations, the Football Association Management Committee announced that Allan and several other players, managers and executives were banned for life. By then Allan had transferred to Reading F.C.
, but was immediately released by the team.
in 1924 where he signed with J&P Coats of the American Soccer League
. He played only three games with Coats at the end of the 1923-1924 season, but became a fixture on the team’s backline for the next three seasons. He saw time in only 13 games during the 1927-1928 season. He left the ASL in 1928.
Football in Scotland
Association football is the national sport in Scotland and highly popular throughout the country. There is a long tradition of "football" games in Orkney, Lewis and southern Scotland, especially the Scottish Borders, although many of these include carrying the ball and passing by hand, and despite...
full back
Defender (football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
who began his career in the Scottish League before moving to The Football League
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
. After he was banned for life by the Football Association for match fixing, he moved to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
where he spent five seasons in the American Soccer League
American Soccer League
The American Soccer League has been a name used by three different professional soccer leagues in the United States. The first American Soccer League was established in 1921 by the merger of teams from the National Association Football League and the Southern New England Soccer League. For...
.
Great Britain
Allan began his professional career with Dunfermline Athletic before moving to East Fife F.C.East Fife F.C.
East Fife Football Club are a Scottish football club based in the Fife coastal town of Methil...
On May 10, 1913, he transferred to Bury F.C.
Bury F.C.
Bury Football Club is an association football team based in Bury, Greater Manchester. The team currently play in League One. The club's nickname is The Shakers which was bestowed upon them by club chairman JT Ingham, an industrialist and ironmonger of the late 1890s.-Formation of the club and the...
and remained with the team until 1923. On May 1, 1920, Bury tied at Coventry City F.C.
Coventry City F.C.
Coventry City Football Club, otherwise known as the Sky Blues owing to the traditional colour of their strip, are a professional English Football league club based in Coventry...
That tie allowed Coventry to remain in the Football League at the expense of Lincoln City F.C.
Lincoln City F.C.
Lincoln City Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Lincoln, Lincolnshire. The club are currently members of the Conference National in 2011–12 following relegation from the Football League....
It eventually came to light that Coventry and Bury had conspired to fix the match. On March 30, 1923, after investigating the allegations, the Football Association Management Committee announced that Allan and several other players, managers and executives were banned for life. By then Allan had transferred to Reading F.C.
Reading F.C.
Reading Football Club is an English association football club based in the town of Reading, Berkshire who currently play in the Championship...
, but was immediately released by the team.
United States
Following his suspension by the FA, Allan moved to the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in 1924 where he signed with J&P Coats of the American Soccer League
American Soccer League
The American Soccer League has been a name used by three different professional soccer leagues in the United States. The first American Soccer League was established in 1921 by the merger of teams from the National Association Football League and the Southern New England Soccer League. For...
. He played only three games with Coats at the end of the 1923-1924 season, but became a fixture on the team’s backline for the next three seasons. He saw time in only 13 games during the 1927-1928 season. He left the ASL in 1928.