MARTIN Allen's return to Whaddon Road is an emotional pinnacle to a relationship lasting more than 30 years.

For then, as a child, long before the outrageous stories and 'that' nickname came about, a young Martin Allen would have the run of Whaddon Road while his father Denis was manager of the then non-League Cheltenham Town between 1974 and 1979.

The 43-year-old was just a youngster when his dad was appointed player-boss and has had a love for the club ever since.

And as he took the helm previously held by his father, Allen was clearly aware of the emotional significance of thepost.

"It's special to come back," he said.

"I have some great memories of Cheltenham Town.

"I'm very proud. It's a shame that he's (Denis) not here. No doubt he will be very proud today.

"It's a shame, God bless him, that he passed away, but he lives on."

Even in 2005, Allen said that Cheltenham, along with West Ham and Barnet, would always be among the most important clubs in his life.

"My dad would have been very, very proud of the part he played in Cheltenham’s history," said Allen.

"I spent so much time at Whaddon Road when I was a youngster. It was very important to me and a special time in my life.

 

"I remember Roger Thorndale, Dave Lewis, John Davies, Dave Dangerfield and John Murphy. There were lots of good players there.

"I also remember the grey-haired kit-man (Bert Williams). He was a great bloke and used to look after me.

"It was a great experience for me. I think my dad did a good job for Cheltenham Town and got them promoted.

"I remember all the journeys, driving down the M4 to Swindon and then going along all the country lanes.

"I was lucky at Whaddon Road because I had a free run of the whole ground. I used to come up to training at Whaddon Road on Thursday nights and I went to all the games.

"My Saturdays were spent travelling all over the country, sometimes in the car and sometimes on the bus, and I had a great time.

"It was a massive part of my life. If I couldn’t get to an away game, I’d sit at home ringing the ground trying to find out the result. There was no texting in those days."

He also said he "wasn't surprised" at the club's progress under Steve Cotterill and John Ward.

"Cheltenham have done very well," he added.

"I wasn’t surprised when they got into the Football League.

"The manager they had then was very talented, very driven and he had a vision.

"I knew about Steve Cotterill before he went to Cheltenham. He’d done very well in Ireland with Sligo Rovers.

"He learned his trade in non-League and did exactly the same as I’ve done."

Allen, whose father died 13 years ago, now has four sons of his own – George, Max, Charlie and Connor.

"I’m very close to my family. They are the most important thing in my life," he said.

Let's hope the 'mad dog' is a chip off the old block and will give his children the same positive memories and love for the club he has, continuing the special relationship for another generation - and securing his own proud place in Cheltenham Town's history.