Tom Allen
Richmond
AFL career
22 games8 goals
- Debut
- R14 1949 v NTH23 July 1949
- Most recent
- R11 1952 v COL5 July 1952
Stats
Bio
A local product recruited from Richmond Mutuals, Tom Allen graduated from the Thirds to play as a half-forward, though he carved out a unique place in VFL history with one of the most statistically bizarre debuts on record. In his first senior appearance against North Melbourne in 1949, Allen booted a staggering 11 behinds without a goal, establishing a record for inaccuracy that became part of football folklore. After four seasons at Punt Road, he moved to the VFA to play with Box Hill and Port Melbourne, but his most significant contribution to the Tigers came decades later in a development role. Allen returned to coach the club's Fourths (Essex Heights) to a remarkable dynasty, securing six premierships during the 1970s and mentoring countless future senior players, eventually cementing his legacy as a Life Member and President of the Richmond Former Players and Officials Association.
Profile
- Full name
- Tom R. Allen
- Born
- 18 Apr 1930 (age 96y 187d)
- Height
- 180 cm
- Weight
- 83 kg
Teams
Bio
1 revisionA local product recruited from Richmond Mutuals, Tom Allen graduated from the Thirds to play as a half-forward, though he carved out a unique place in VFL history with one of the most statistically bizarre debuts on record. In his first senior appearance against North Melbourne in 1949, Allen booted a staggering 11 behinds without a goal, establishing a record for inaccuracy that became part of football folklore. After four seasons at Punt Road, he moved to the VFA to play with Box Hill and Port Melbourne, but his most significant contribution to the Tigers came decades later in a development role. Allen returned to coach the club's Fourths (Essex Heights) to a remarkable dynasty, securing six premierships during the 1970s and mentoring countless future senior players, eventually cementing his legacy as a Life Member and President of the Richmond Former Players and Officials Association.