Allen moved to Lymington, Hampshire in 1964, when his parents took over The Mayflower pub in the town.
[1] Shortly after moving there, he began playing for Lymington Cricket Club, where he was initially encouraged to be a seam bowler.
From 1976 to 1983, Allen played a total of 66 Minor Counties Championship matches, the last of which came against Shropshire.
[1] Allen also made a sole List A appearance for Dorset in the 1983 NatWest Trophy against first-class opponents Essex at Dean Park, Bournemouth.
[6] He played a key role in Lymington's victory in the Southern league, taking 32 wickets.