Doug Allder, a left winger whose career spanned a decade of significant moments in English football, remains a cherished figure in Millwall’s storied history. While his career had its ups and downs, Allder’s legacy is cemented in over 200 Football League appearances and his place in the Millwall Hall of Fame. His journey was not without its share of challenges, but his contributions to the clubs he played for, particularly Millwall and Brentford, stand as a testament to his skill and resilience.
PART ONE
Born in Hammersmith, London, Doug Allder grew up in an era where football was not only a pastime but a ticket to community pride. Like many boys back in the swinging 1960s, he dreamed of becoming a professional footballer, and by the late 1960s, he was on his way to achieving that dream. Come April 1968, Allder signed apprentice terms with Millwall, earning a modest £4 a week, which, for a young man at the time, was still a significant step toward the professional game.
As a left winger, Allder quickly demonstrated his potential. Millwall, then a Second Division club, saw promise in his play, and by October 1969, he had signed a professional contract worth £20 a week. The 1969-70 season marked Allder’s official debut, and it wasn’t long before he established himself in the team, making 24 appearances that season. His agility, combined with his ability to deliver pinpoint crosses, made him an essential player in Millwall’s setup, and despite his relatively young age, he was beginning to attract attention as a dynamic presence on the pitch.
However, Allder’s time at Millwall wasn’t without complications. By 1971, he found himself embroiled in a dispute with manager Benny Fenton, leading him to play on a week-to-week contract. The tension between player and manager almost resulted in Allder leaving the club altogether, with a move to Queens Park Rangers under Gordon Jago seeming imminent. Yet, fate had other plans. When Jago replaced Fenton as Millwall manager, Allder’s exit was postponed, and he remained at the Den.
In retrospect, this twist of fate was fortuitous for both Allder and Millwall. Jago’s arrival steadied the ship, and Allder stayed to play a crucial role in the club’s fluctuating fortunes throughout the early 1970s. The team occasionally flirted with promotion to the First Division, but unfortunately, success remained elusive. Nevertheless, Allder’s contributions on the left wing were invaluable during this period. His efforts on the field were characterized by his speed, technical skill, and an unwavering work ethic that earned him the respect of his teammates and the admiration of the Millwall faithful.
After six years at Millwall, during which he made 227 appearances and scored 12 goals, Allder’s time at the club came to an end following the team’s relegation to the Third Division at the close of the 1974-75 season. In July 1975, he made the decision to move to Second Division club Orient (now Leyton Orient), in a deal that involved Terry Brisley and Barrie Fairbrother going the other way. The transfer seemed like a fresh start for Allder, but it quickly became apparent that the move was not going to work out as planned.
PART TWO
Reflecting on this period, Allder later admitted that it was a bad move. Indeed, his time at Orient was marked by frustration. He failed to score during his two seasons at the club, making 53 appearances before leaving at the end of the 1976-77 season. The player who had been a bright spark at Millwall found himself struggling to replicate that form in a different environment, and his career seemed to hit an impasse.
Following his departure from Orient, Allder embarked on a series of trials at lower-league clubs, hoping to reignite his career. In August 1977, he joined Fourth Division side Torquay United on a one-month trial, but he only made one appearance—a substitute appearance in a League Cup tie against Cardiff City. The month came and went without a permanent contract.
Allder then had a trial with Watford in September 1977, where he made a single appearance away at Rochdale. Once again, he failed to impress, and his trial was cut short, though Watford went on to win the Fourth Division title that season. Remarkably, despite his limited involvement, Allder was awarded a winners’ medal by the club’s chairman, Elton John, after their final game of the season. Though Allder’s time at Watford was brief, the medal stands as a peculiar yet tangible reminder of his connection to the club.
In October 1977, Allder found an opportunity at Brentford, another Fourth Division club. Unlike his previous trials, this one proved fruitful. Allder quickly became the club’s regular left winger and signed a contract. His resurgence at Brentford was immediate, and the team went on to secure promotion to the Third Division at the end of the season, finishing in fourth place. Allder’s experience and skill proved invaluable in helping Brentford achieve this success.
However, his time at Brentford was not without controversy. In November 1979, Allder became embroiled in an infamous brawl with Sheffield United’s Mick Speight during a match at Griffin Park. The altercation, which spilled over into the Sheffield United dugout, saw both players sent off. It was a flashpoint in an otherwise steady stint at Brentford, where Allder made 95 appearances and scored three goals before being released at the end of the 1979-80 season.
After leaving Brentford, Allder continued his footballing journey in non-league football. He joined Isthmian League side Tooting & Mitcham in 1980, where he found some semblance of stability in the latter stages of his career. A year later, in March 1981, he made the move to Staines Town before later joining Walton & Hersham. Though his professional days were behind him, Allder’s love for the game kept him involved in football at a semi-professional level, where he continued to showcase his skill on the wing.
Doug Allder’s footballing career was one of highs and lows, moments of brilliance, and challenges that tested his resolve. From his early days at Millwall, where he became a club legend and Hall of Fame member, to his later stints at Orient, Brentford, and in non-league football, Allder’s career reflects the unpredictable nature of football. He may not have reached the dizzying heights of some of his contemporaries, but his dedication to the game and his undeniable skill as a winger ensure that his name will be remembered and respected.