Topic: Joe Allen

Joseph Michael "Joe" Allen (born 14 March 1990 in Carmarthen) is a Welsh international footballer, currently playing for Swansea City.

Allen attended Preseli School near Crymych and has been a part of the Swansea City youth set up since he was 9 years old. As a first year scholar in the youth team in the 2006/2007 season, he featured as an unused substitute for the first team due to injury problems in a 3-0 away win over then Premiership side Sheffield United in the 3rd round of the FA Cup at Bramall Lane. Just two weeks later, and still only 16 years old at the time, he was given his debut by starting in the FAW Premier Cup away tie to local Welsh Premier League side Port Talbot Town by then Swansea manager Kenny Jackett but only played the first half as they went on to lose 2-1 in extra time. He made his league debut for Swansea as a substitute in the 6-3 defeat to Blackpool on the final day of the Football League One season as they missed out on a play off place under new manager and former Swans captain Roberto Martinez.

The following pre-season Allen played in numerous games for the club. As the 2007/2008 season got underway he started in the first round of the Carling Cup game in a 2-0 home win over Walsall receiving man of the match award in the process and assisting the first goal with a left footed chipped cross to scorer of the first goal Paul Anderson. He was awarded his first professional contract by Roberto Martinez keeping him at the club until 2010. He then started in the next round of the Carling Cup at home to Reading again receiving a man of the match award but the Swans lost 1-0 in extra time. He was handed his first start in the league in a 2-1 home win over Carlisle United. He made a number of appearances in both League and cup competitions for the rest of the season and was eligable for a medal for the Swans League One title winning season.