Source: Team_Talk
Allen and Cheltenham part company
Allen was the subject of allegations he racially abused a nightclub bouncer in October and was subsequently placed on gardening leave by the League Two club.[LNB]Allen strenuously denied the claims and Gloucestershire Police confirmed last month that no action would be taken in connection with the incident.[LNB]Cheltenham nevertheless commenced a detailed internal investigation into the claims and on Friday absolved the 44-year-old.[LNB]John Schofield was installed as acting manager in Allen's absence and despite Friday's findings it was also announced that Allen would not be returning to lead the Robins.[LNB]In a statement released to the League Managers' Association website, www.leaguemanagers.com, the former Brentford and Leicester boss said: "Naturally I am very pleased with the outcome in terms of being found innocent of the charges but it is unfortunate that it has not been possible for me to remain at the club as manager.[LNB]"I would like to thank Cheltenham for giving me a fair hearing and the LMA for all of their support, including the legal team at Russell Jones & Walker, during this difficult period.[LNB]"I wish to reiterate that these allegations were untrue, deeply hurtful and upsetting to me.[LNB]"What I want now is to put this unfortunate incident behind me and concentrate all my efforts on pursuing my career in professional football management with my reputation intact and my head held high."[LNB]Richard Bevan, chief executive of the LMA, said: "The LMA shares Martin's disappointment that he is leaving Cheltenham, but he leaves the football club without a stain on his character. The allegations made against Martin were not only without foundation but profoundly offensive and upsetting.[LNB]"Over this period, Martin has been extremely distressed by these untrue accusations. Whilst he is very pleased to have been cleared by both the police and Cheltenham Town, following thorough investigations, he is keen to now get back to doing what he loves and knows best - managing a football team.[LNB]"Football managers are figures in the public eye and it is all too easy for untrue accusations to be made which can unfairly damage reputations.[LNB]"Martin has always had an exemplary record of dealing with players of all ethnic origins and has been a committed champion of the Kick Racism out of Football campaign for many years."[LNB]The club have thus far refused to comment.[LNB]Allen went on to reveal that he had hoped to continue his work with the club but could not offer details due to legal constraints.[LNB]"There is a confidentiality clause in the agreement with the club so I can't go into details unfortunately," he told Sky Sports News.[LNB]"I wanted to stay though, no doubt about it. I really enjoyed the job and I like the club. We went through some difficult times financially and we had injuries but, on the whole, I had a superb bunch of players and great staff working at the club."[LNB]Referring to the initial allegations against him Allen added: "It was difficult when I first heard about it.[LNB]"I have a huge amount of black friends and have signed a huge amount of black players and I found it difficult to talk to them about it at first.[LNB]"It is something we could be pursuing legally though, what was said (about me)."[LNB][LNB]
