Dave Allen 

Dr. Dave Allen - Hampshire Cricket's Current Historian

Dave Allen is currently the Official Historian at Hampshire Cricket; a Director of Hampshire Cricket Heritage Ltd and on the Committee of the Hambledon Club. In addition to this he is a prolific writer and a performing musician. He also has an interest in art and paints when time permits.  What a man!

Dave has been a devotee of Hampshire County Cricket Club since early childhood. He first started watching his beloved team at the United Services Ground in Portsmouth in the late Fifties, and counts himself extremely fortunate to have followed closely the richest period in Hampshire's history, with the two championship winning pennants in 1961 and 1973. 

Dave is determined that the history of Hampshire cricket should not only be remembered but be available to all who are interested. When the Rose Bowl opened, he formed a heritage committee which was the embryo of today’s Hampshire Cricket Heritage Ltd. Dave has written too many books and articles on Hampshire cricket to list here, as well as editing the annual Hampshire Handbook from 2009 to 2016. In March 2010 he started the Hampshire Cricket blog on the internet which he regularly updates and generates a lot of interest and comment. The displays that you see around the ground are generally suggested and produced by Dave. Not content with all that, he regularly commentates on ball-by-ball broadcasts for Southampton Hospital Radio and Solent Radio.

I doubt that his enthusiasm could be easily replaced and know that his knowledge could not be.  Dave's passion for the club, in particular preserving and sharing its heritage, makes him the worthy custodian of a title which he takes great pride in, 'Hampshire's Cricket Historian."

He is an inspiration, font of  a wealth of knowledge on county cricket in general and caring mentor to all fellow Hampshire Cricket Heritage Board Members, active volunteers and supporters. His legacy is that he upholds - with true distinction - a very proud tradition of great students and writers on the game played in Hampshire. He definitely makes the 1st XI in that formidable team which boasts the likes of Arlott, Altham and Nyren crafting the words alongside Webber and  Isaacs making sure all the numbers add up. Anyone who listens to Dave's commentary, follows his blog or gets the chance to ask him anything about our club, knows we are very fortunate he is one of our own - made in Hampshire!