Graham Allner

Background

Allner was born in Birmingham, England.

Career

He was manager of from 1983 until 1998, winning the Football League Trophy in 1987 and the Conference Premier championship in 1995. Allner started his playing career as a schoolboy at Birmingham City before signing amateur forms at Walsall playing reserve football. Allner had a trial with Aston Villa during the 1970-1971 season.

He then rejoined Davies at, winning another Midland Combination title in 1971-1972.

A trial at Hereford United followed in 1974 before signing for Stourbridge in September 1974 under Allan Grundy. He only spent a season at Stourbridge before moving to Redditch United, then quickly moving on to Bromsgrove Rovers.

He joined Stafford Rangers in 1976, spending two seasons with them. Allner then made his first entry into coaching, being appointed player assistant manager at Cheltenham Town.

Allner began his managerial career with.

He led to the Southern Premier League in 1983. However, Leamington were denied promotion to the Gola League, their place being taken instead by the club that had finished second that year. Soon after this, Allner left Leamington and took charge at the Worcestershire club

Kidderminster quickly established themselves as a top non-league side under Allner"s management, winning the FA Trophy in 1987 and reaching the final in 1991 and 1995, in addition to making the final of the Welsh Cup in 1986 and 1989.

Kidderminster almost made it to the Football League in 1996-1997 after leading the Conference by 15 points at Christmas, but a storming run by close contenders Macclesfield pushed them into second place. Allner quit in November 1998 after almost 16 years in charge, and was eventually replaced by January Molby.

A brief tenure as manager followed. When Cotterill moved to Stoke City a few weeks after the promotion triumph, Allner was promoted to the manager"s seat but was sacked on 13 January 2003 with Cheltenham heading for relegation.

His successor was Bobby Gould.

He is currently working for the Scouting Network. As a player As a manager.

Achievements

• Paget Rangers Midland Combination Champions - 1969/70, 1970/71 Alvechurch Midland Combination Champions - 1971/72 Midland Combination Runner Up - 1972/73 West Midlands (Regional) League Premier Division Champions - 1973-1974 Worcestershire Senior Cup Winners - 1973/74 Birmingham Senior Amateur Cup Winners - 1973/74 Worcester City Southern Football League Premier Division - Champions 1978/79 Associated Press Leamington Southern Premier League champion - 1982/83 Kidderminster Harriers FA Trophy winner - 1987 Football Conference champion - 1994/95.