I started playing football at Elliston Street School in 1939. By 1941 I played for Armstrong Street Seniors, who were the League Champions, winning the Robert Cup. I then went on to play for the Grimsby YMCA.
1947 I was in the RAF doing national service and played football for Cosford, who became the Inter-service League Champions. In 1948 I was still representing the RAF and played against Wolves, Wrexham FC and Notts County before being demobbed.
I went on to have a great career in football starting in 1948, playing back at the Grimsby YMCA. On 24/10/1949 I received a letter inviting me to attend trials at Sheffield Wednesday who I thought was a great club. I played for Sheffield Wednesday as an amateur for a year as a striker, Number 10 shirt. I was offered to sign to play professional for Wednesday but thought football was a chancy business to earn a livelihood as there were plenty of good jobs in Grimsby which offered a more secure future. As I didn't sign for Sheffield Wednesday I was released and returned to Grimsby YMCA, Lincolnshire Amateurs and Scunthorpe United.
In 1951 I got to hear of the Lillywhites who at the time were having great success in various County competitions. On recommendations made to the Skegness club I was invited to join them and I became professional on the Lillywhite's books. I remember hearing the supporters chanting 'Come on Allen' whenever I had the ball and I was known as 'The Twinkle Toed Winger'. I could send the ball over the pitch in a great curved arc to land plumb in front of the goal for the man in the centre to finish off the master stroke; I was also a great goal scorer.
I continued to play for Skegness Town for almost ten years. Skegness was also famous for making history in Associated Football by having the first pin up girl known as 'That Girl' introduced in their football programme.
In 1960 I played in the match, Skegness v All Stars XI, playing against many local Grimsby Town lads such as Mike Cullen, Stan Lloyd, Keith Jobling, Jimmy Fell, Clarrie Williams and Don Donovan. I continued my football career signing for Brigg Town in 1961 then transferred to Spalding in 1962.
All good things come to an end and I finished pro-football in 1963.
One of my favourite memories was when I was 17-18 years old playing in the Cup Final at Blundell Park, Grimsby YMCA v Grimsby Town when we won!
Allen Mason
Memory added on October 25, 2013
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