Former Notts County manager Martin Allen has today released a statement through the League Managers Association, speaking following his sacking by the club just over a week ago. The statement can be read in full below.
The League Managers Association (LMA) has issued the following statement on behalf of Martin Allen regarding his departure from Notts County Football Club on 18th February 2012.All issues regarding Martin’s departure have been satisfactorily resolved and he now looks forward to the next opportunity in his career.Martin Allen said, “To be told by telephone on the Saturday evening on the way home from the Hartlepool match that my contract was being terminated with immediate effect came as a complete and utter shock. I could not believe I was being relieved of my managerial duties at Notts County. Now that the news has begun to sink in and I have had some time to reflect back on my time there, I leave Notts County very proud to have managed a club with such great tradition and passionate support and I can be very happy with the last ten months’ work. “We had made significant progress in a short space of time after I took charge in April 2011. Having saved the club from relegation and retained their League One status last season, the team made great strides forward; we reached the fourth round of the FA Cup and as high as third place in the League earlier this season, the club’s highest position in 12 years. It was only September that I won the npower League 1 Manager of the Month Award. All in all, it’s been a memorable experience.“I really would like to thank all the coaching staff, the staff at the ground, the whole playing squad, and most of all, the Notts County fans for the backing and camaraderie I enjoyed with them. It has been a very special time and I hope the Club can push on to the play-off places this season.” Martin Allen was appointed manager of Notts County on April 11, 2011. Allen began his coaching career at Reading as assistant manager and his first managerial appointment came at Barnet, in March 2003. Allen then became the boss of Brentford in March 2004. His first season was a success, saving the club from relegation from League One. In the 2004/05 and 2005/06 seasons he guided the club to the play-offs and he also enjoyed success in The FA Cup, reaching the fifth round in two consecutive years. After Brentford, Allen became manager of then League Two side Milton Keynes Dons for the 2006/07 campaign. He again enjoyed a successful season taking the club to the play-offs. He went on to manage Leicester City and Cheltenham Town, where he followed his father’s footsteps, as Dennis Allen also took charge at Whaddon Road between 1974 and 1979. Following his time with Cheltenham, Allen had another spell with Barnet before joining Notts County. After revitalising Barnet who went on to secure their Football League status, Allen performed a similar role with Notts County, guiding them to League One safety (2010/11). During his playing days, Allen played for QPR, West Ham United, Portsmouth, Southend United and he earned two England U21 caps. Allen played in the 1986 League Cup Final and he was part of the promotion teams of 1991 and 1993 with West Ham United. Martin holds the UEFA Pro-Licence and is also a graduate of the LMA's Certificate in Applied Management at Warwick University.
Source: FOOTYMAD
