LEGENDARY Swindon Town manager Sam Allen has been honoured at a service marking the restoration of his grave.

Descendants of Mr Allen, the Robins’ longest serving manager, attended the ceremony yesterday at Saint Saviour’s Church, where he worshipped.

Mr Allen, who joined the club’s committee in 1895, was manager of the team between 1902 and 1933. He also served as secretary in the period.

After leaving the mangerial hotseat he continued as club secretary until his death on January 1, 1946.

Following a fundraising campaign, earlier this year, which raised around £2,500, funeral director Johnson and Daltrey carried out the restoration work on Mr Allen’s grave in Radnor Street Cemetery.

“Sam Allen is an integral part of Swindon Town’s history and it is essential that he is remembered,” said Dick Mattick, the club’s historian.

“I would like to thank Johnson and Daltrey as well as everyone who sponsored the campaign and made today possible.”

The project received donations from Swindon Town Supporters’ Club, Swindon Town Supporters’ Trust and Robins Remembered among other societies from the town.

Some of Mr Allen’s greatest achievements as manager included winning the Southern League and Southern League Cup double in 1912, as well as leading the club to the FA Cup semi-final twice.

He also oversaw Town’s sucess in The Dubonnet Cup in 1910, with the trophy being displayed during the service.

As well as family, Wiltshire FA and the Robinses sent representatives to the ceremony, which was conducted by Father Dexter Bracey.

He said: “It is wonderful to be part of this service and understand the ability football has to bring people together. I know this project has also brought so many from the community together also.

“I’m not originally from Swindon so it is great to find out more about Sam Allen and the regard that the community still has for him.”

Hymns during the service included Abide With Me and For All The Saints. Mr Allen’s family felt the ceremony was a fitting way to conclude the fundraising campaign.

Pat Chapman, the wife of Mr Allen’s grandson Michael, said: “I never met Sam but I was fully aware of how much everyone thought of him.

“The service was wonderful and went into great detail about his life. We are pleased to see the grave restored. I know my husband adored Sam and would have been very proud.”

Rob Chapman, Mr Allen’s great-grandson, said: “I saw the grave 20 years ago before it got overgrown and I think the restoration has been faithful to how it originally looked.”