James Stephen ALLEN 1881-1958

	Player number 2 (fc debut for Northamptonshire – 18 May 1905)
Birthplace	Croydon
First-Class	2 matches, 0 runs @ 0.00; 1 wicket @ 154.00

Jim Allen was taken on Northamptonshire’s professional staff just a few days before the County’s inaugural first-class match, against Hampshire in May 1905. A skilful left-arm seam bowler, he was living in Raunds having played successfully the previous season for Sittingbourne in Kent – capturing 59 wickets at just six runs apiece. Earlier, he appeared for the Northampton St Paul’s club. Allen duly turned out in the historic opening fixture at Southampton but achieved little of note, dismissed for a duck in his only innings and taking just one wicket – that of Hampshire opener Alexander Johnston, caught by George Thompson. He also dropped a chance off his own bowling, in keeping with his Raunds reputation as an indifferent fielder. Allen’s only other appearance, at home to Sussex three weeks later, was (if possible) even more forgettable, save probably by the player himself; no runs or wickets. However, he achieved much success in the colours of his adopted home town, captaining Raunds Town for five seasons between 1908 and 1912 and leading them to Kettering and District League second division honours in 1910. Like so many of his contemporaries in Northamptonshire, Allen earned his main living in the footwear industry – in his case as a riveter with Adams Brothers in Raunds, a firm specialising in army boots.