Allen living out boyhood dream of playing for Arnett

Marlon Allen has watched Arnett Gardens play on many a Monday night, hoping for the day that he would don the red and black colours chasing title glory.

In his first season in the Jamaica Premier League, he is not only living the dream, but helping the Junglists in their rebuild and making themselves an early favourite to make the play-offs this season.

Allen, the Star of week six, had a brace in his first start for the club last Saturday, helping Arnett defeat Montego Bay United 3-1 and extending their unbeaten run to five games. It is not just Allen's desire and determination for goals that has fuelled his latest performance, but playing for a team that he idolised as a child growing up in St Ann.

"From when I was growing up and playing football and I watched Monday night Premier League, it's Arnett that I watched. And it was my dream to play for Arnett. Before I came to Arnett, I was at Dunbeholden training and, even though I didn't make the side, the coach love me the same way," Allen told The WEEKEND STAR. "But it is Arnett that I wanted to play for."

The Ocho Rios High School alum said with the difficulties of being able to make the Mount Pleasant team, the sole premier league club in the parish, he needed to take a leap of faith to go to Kingston and establish himself.

"When I left St Ann to come to Kingston. it was the biggest move for me because nobody was seeing me how they are seeing me now. There are a few players from the community that play for Mount Pleasant, but mostly they are from Kingston and all about," Allen said. "So I said I'm going to do the right thing and make the move, come to Arnett Gardens, going further and performing the same way. And I ended up doing the right thing."

He currently has three goals so far in this campaign, impressing head coach Paul Davis, who gave him his first start and noted his potential after his performance.

"I'm happy for Allen. It's a pity we had to take him off, because I wanted him to get his hat-trick. He was feeling some pain, so he accepted that," Davis said.

"He is just coming out of school and he wants to make a name (for himself)," Davis added.

It is that desire that Allen is looking to continue with throughout the campaign.

"I came here and I put in the work the same way. I went out there and executed and showed them that I could do it. Coach (Davis) knows what I can do and I'm just doing the right thing," Allen said.