Joe Harvey did me Cup medal made proud, he had a Fairs especially for me; Allen was crushed by a career-ending injury but was: s

THESE enlightened days a footballer suffering ruptured cruciate ligaments in his knee would be back playing within six months.

However, in the late dark days of the sixties such a severe injury inevitably ended careers.

Not only was Geoff Allen cruelly cut down a month before his 23rd birthday after undying European Fairs Cup glory, but fellow Newcastle United stars Tony Green and Ollie Burton were similarly chucked on the scrapheap.

All three were never to kick another ball, but as much as United fans mourned the passing of Green's magical skills, Allen surely suffered the toughest of fates with his career over almost before it had begun.

Nicknamed Ferenc Puskas by manager Joe Harvey because of his wand-like left foot, Allen had starred for England in the World Youth Cup finals in West Germany and had single-handedly dismantled Dutch masters Feyenoord with a jaw-dropping display in United's first ever European tie.

Yet within a matter of weeks Allen lay with his face buried in Nottingham mud, his left knee and his dreams shattered.

The pain was agonising and what he faced was a futile operation, regular visits to hospital, hours upon hours of rehabilitation, and finally a comeback match that lasted but 10 minutes.

The wonder boy from the Scrogg Road end of Walker, who once scored all seven goals for Manor Park School against Arthur Horsfield's Rutherford Grammar, was an ex-player reduced to watching, while his Newcastle teammates went on to win the Fairs Cup on a fabulous night in Budapest.

"Yeah, within the shortest possible time I went from my greatest moment in football to being finished," Allen told me.

"It was so cruel because I learned against Feyenoord that I could play on the biggest of stages. I knew then I had a good career in front of me - or I thought I had."

After playing in both legs of United's opening European sojourn and scoring in a 2-2 draw with Spurs at St James's Park the Mags were due to face Nottingham Forest away on October 8, 1968.

"It was a Tuesday night and we actually played at Notts County's ground because the Forest stand had burned down on the Saturday," recalled Geoff.

"Full-back Peter Hindley, who was nicknamed The Tank by Forest fans, tackled me from behind, I went over badly, and I knew I was in big trouble.

"My knee was in a right mess and the pain was unbearable."

Only a quarter-of-an-hour of the match had gone when Alan Foggon replaced Allen as sub, and though United went on to triumph 4-2 all thoughts were with the stricken youngster.

"From that moment I was in and out of hospital," said Geoff.

"Late in the same season, in the April time, I tried to make a comeback against Sheffield Wednesday, but within 10 minutes my knee collapsed and that was it. I was told I would end up in a wheelchair if I tried to play on.

"I was devastated. It was as though my life had come to an end. But these things happened in football in my day. Nowadays I could have been back in six months.

"Tony Green was a wonderful, special talent but he played only 38 times for Newcastle, though he had at least enjoyed a full career with Blackpool and Scotland.

"I made a mere 26 appearances after my debut as a 17-year-old before the same injury claimed me.

"Ollie Burton, who played in the Fairs Cup final, of course, did his cruciate ligaments falling over his own keeper Willie McFaul for goodness sake!" United had reached the semi-finals of the Fairs Cup when Allen attempted his comeback and were about to confront Glasgow Rangers, when he could have rejoined the great Euro joyride, but it was not to be.

"I saw the first match of the final against Ujpest Dozsa at St James's Park, but sadly I wasn't in Budapest when we lifted the trophy," he recalled.

"However Joe Harvey did me proud, he had a Fairs Cup medal made especially for me because of my two games against Feyenoord.

"We beat them 4-0 at home in what was my best ever game. I felt on fire and older Newcastle fans have remembered it to this day.

"Whenever I come back home they always stop me to talk about it.

"I knew then something special was happening. I told Bob Moncur all the way through the season that we would win the Fairs Cup."

Allen settled in Mansfield after his last job in football as a coach - he had two spells on the staff at SJP - but he was back on home soil earlier this year for the 40th anniversary celebrations of United's European success, the last time a proud club won a major prize.

"I hadn't seen some of the lads like Wyn Davies, Ollie Burton, Tommy Gibb, Albert Bennett, and Dave Elliott for 25 years so it was a wonderful few days.

"To get such a large squad together from all over the country was an unbelievable feat."

Geoff has a touch of arthritis in his left knee to remind him of his broken dreams.

He cannot stand for a long time, can't exercise, but otherwise gets on with his life.

The left winger with a touch of Puskas who could have challenged the likes of Bobby Mitchell and David Ginola in United's history but for that fateful night in the city of Nottingham.

CAPTION(S):

TOON STAR: Allen in his United heyday at St James's Park BACKING: Boss Joe Harvey INJURY: United's Tony Green POPULAR FIGURE: Geoff Allen became a big hit at St James's before injury cruelly ended his career

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