Vale Frank Allen

East Perth Football Club Legend and 1950 Sandover Medallist Frank Allen passed away aged 91 on Sunday, February 4.

Allen will be long remembered for his elite skills which saw him represent Western Australia on 11 occasions, and win East Perth’s fairest and best award in 1950.

Allen played his first game for East Perth on May 15, 1943 against South Fremantle at Fremantle Oval.

His career spanned 190 games, including the 1944 premiership, before he became Reserves coach for the club in 1954 and Thirds coach in 1957.

In 1997, Allen was awarded a retrospective Sandover Medal in recognition of his 1950 tie with Jim Conway.

In retirement, Frank lobbied long and strong for the inclusion of under-age games in the official tallies of league games played by players.

Allen was also involved in a mentoring initiative created by the Department of Sport and Recreation, where he visited schools and share his insights on life and sport. Frank was extremely popular among the kids at Kyella Primary School in North Perth.

In later life, there was every possibility you would catch Frank casting a fishing line from the North Beach jetty.

Allen had been fighting a long-term battle with cancer. However, this did not stop him attending East Perth matches and functions where he regularly held court telling stories of his time at East Perth.

Allen will be deeply missed by the WA football community and we wish to pass on our condolences to Margaret and the Allen family.

The funeral service to celebrate his life will be held at Pinnaroo Valley Memorial Park West Chapel on Monday February 12 at 10.00am. The wake will be held in the East Perth Members Bar at Leederville Oval from 11.30am.

Frank Allen 5.12.1926 – 4.2.2018

Games: East Perth 190, Western Australia 11
East Perth Premiership player 1944
Honours: Sandover Medallist 1950
East Perth Fairest and Best 1950