Tony Allin almost made a remarkable rise from Minor County cricket to Test cricket following some fine performances for Glamorgan in 1976. It proved not to be, and 1976 was his one and only summer with the Welsh county. Sadly, it was not an easy summer for Glamorgan, and had he joined Glamorgan at a happier time, the left-arm spin bowler would have played in more than 13 matches, and possibly for England as well.

Allin made his debut for his native Devon in 1972, and his regular wicket-taking drew the attention of Glamorgan`s talent scouts. He duly made his first-class debut against Essex at Swansea in May 1976, and a measure of his rapid headway can be gauged by a haul of seven wickets against Gloucestershire at Cheltenham, before taking 8/63 against Sussex at Cardiff, and amongst his victims was England captain Tony Greig.

He continued to prosper during August, with 6/133 and 5/95 against Middlesex at Swansea, and 6/24 in the match at Worcester. Allin`s name was even mentioned by journalists such as Robin Marlar for a place on England`s winter tour to India. However, he was not included in the tour party, and at the end of the summer, he left the Welsh county, disenchanted with life as a professional cricketer. With rumours of discontent and bickeing in the dressing room, Allin opted for a more peaceful life on his father`s dairy farm in North Devon.(Submitted by Andrew Hignell - April 2000)