Les Allen

Who was Les Allen?

Les Allen was an Australian rules footballer who played with Carlton and North Melbourne in the Victorian Football League.

Allen, a forward, was originally from Wangaratta but came to Carlton via Fairfield. He kicked an eight goal haul in just his second VFL game, against South Melbourne at Princes Park, in round four of the 1930 season. Despite playing from the pockets, he continued to outstage his key forward teammates Horrie Clover and Harry Vallence for the rest of the year and finished as Carlton's leading goal-kicker on 56 goals.

He continued his prolific form up forward the following season, kicking 15 goals in the opening three rounds. For the rest of the year he wasn't as effective and left for North Melbourne, ending his time at Carlton with a record that saw him kick exactly three goals a game.

Allen was second in the goal-kicking at North Melbourne to Tom Fitzmaurice in each of his three seasons, with a best of 44 goals in 1933.

At the end of the 1934 season he retired from the VFL, citing ill health. He attempted a comeback in 1937, without success, but did play some football with Brunswick two years later.