SQUAD NEWS: Josh Allen Joins The Reds
After impressing in preseason, youngster Josh Allen has signed for Quorn. The 16 year old forward has come off the bench in each of the first three preseason games, earning plaudits for his efforts and a place in the squad.
Born in Glenfield, Josh later moved to Stanton Under Bardon. “I started football late really, compared to most” noted Allen, explaining “I was a Gymnast form the ages of four to nine, so didn’t start playing football until I was eight.” Eventually the Gymnastics gave way to the football as Josh joined Kirby Muxloe’s junior set-up.
After a trial with Derby County, Josh took his talents to Stoneygate, winning back to back titles at Under 13 and Under 14 level. “I started out playing left or right midfield but quickly it was noticed that I had an eye for goal and soon started playing down the middle.”
Josh spent much of the next season on trial with Peterborough United, and whilst he was away with the Posh, Stoneygate folded their team. Allen then joined Coalville Town, playing up a year in the Midland Junior Premier League and reaching the League Cup Final in the Leicestershire Youth League.
“More recently I have started playing on the right of the front three, where I can drive at players more, take them down the line with my right or cut inside with my left. For me you can’t beat the feeling of winning games for your team and scoring goals. I have been lucky enough to score some very important goals for my teams, also against some great teams and players. I have had some very good managers who have had faith in me but a couple of standout ones are Jamie Lilleyman and Nathan Burton.”
He started last season playing for Coalville Town Under 18s in the MJPL and Leicestershire Midweek Floodlit Youth League, but upon turning sixteen in November, decided to challenge himself in senior football. “I wanted to see if I could compete in adult football. I signed on for Mountsorrel Amateurs, we had a good crack at the league also having a couple cup runs, beating teams several divisions above us reaching the league cup semi-final and county cup final. Although playing against players several years older than me I managed to score 74 goals over the season.”
“I’ve had some great moments in football winning leagues and cups, playing against many premier league academies. A standout moment for me was scoring two goals against two England Centre Backs when I trialled at Sheffield Utd.”
Looking ahead to this season, Josh has stepped up once again, looking for another challenge. “I came to preseason trials with Quorn just to get some experience of players at that level and to see what feedback I would get. Having watched some games last season, I was really impressed with the way Quorn played. Signing for the Reds is amazing. The fact that Bez and the Management team have that faith in me is a great feeling.”
“I am hoping I can start to get some first team minuets then cement my place. I have great self-belief and I think I will be an asset to the team hopefully playing a part in getting promoted. My time with Quorn so far has been brilliant, everyone at the club has been great with me. The manager and the lads have treated me as an equal. Coming on against Alvechurch and nearly scoring against Nuneaton was a great buzz, I can’t wait to hear my name and not trialist over the PA.”
Welcome to Farley Way Josh