09-05-2025
Joe Allen's mum wins tennis title and he hangs up his boots
The bank holiday weekend was a memorable one for the Allen family.
Joe Allen ended his professional football career in Swansea City's final game of the season, while his mother, Jane Allen, led Team Wales to victory in the Senior Four Nations tennis tournament in Wrexham.
Mr Allen, 35, was given a guard of honour as he led out his boyhood club at the Stadium on Saturday.
He retired after almost 600 club appearances and 77 international caps for Wales, having played in Euro 2016, Euro 2020, and the 2024 World Cup.
Mrs Allen, a stalwart in Haverfordwest's team, has also enjoyed years of success in her sport.
She has captained at county level and has twice led Wales in the Senior Four Nations, a bi-annual tournament featuring teams from Wales, England, Ireland, and Scotland.
The doubles specialist, along with singles players Ellinore Lightbody and Jenny Burrows, opened the tournament with a 3-0 win over Scotland.
They followed that up with a 2-1 victory over Ireland to set up a title decider against England, which they won 2-1.
They were the only Welsh team to win their age group in Wrexham, with Ms Lightbody of Swansea Tennis Club winning all six of her singles and doubles matches.
Mrs Allen said: "I have to admit, when I saw I had Elinore and Jenny in the team, I thought we could do very well, they are both quality players.
"Elinore was simply in a league of her own, she only dropped 13 games throughout the entire weekend, while Jenny played a stormer in the all-important decider.
"I couldn't be prouder of them and it was an honour and a privilege to have played a small part in the victory.
"In the 30 years I've played tennis I've been very lucky to have partnered some outstanding players, none more so than Laura Davies who is among the best veterans players in the country."
