FC HALIFAX Town are waiting to discuss the future of midfielder Jamie Allen after he left their pre-season training camp this week to appear on Love Island.
Allen, who had just signed a new contract with the National League Shaymen, entered the reality TV show villa as one of four new “bombshells” on Wednesday night, to ruffle feathers among the current islanders.
Just last month, Montserrat international Allen signed a new deal to extend his three-year stay at The Shay, announcing he had “committed his future” to the team under new manager Chris Millington.
But now the 27-year-old former Barrow, AFC Fylde, Southport and Dover Athletic wide man has thrown that future into doubt after jetting out to the Majorcan villa alongside fellow bombshells Lacey Edwards, Nathalia Campos and Reece Ford.
Allen told Love Island viewers he is ready to mix it up in the final week of the series, commenting: “I play football every single day and in terms of stepping on people's toes we are all in there for the same reason so I wouldn't have a problem upsetting a few people.
Unimpressed
“I am coming in a bit later so I probably will upset a few lads but you gotta do what you gotta do.”
This latest instalment of the ITV2 show finishes on Monday, August 1 so Allen, left, could yet start the new season with the Shaymen five days later.
First, though, he will have to undergo showdown talks with Millington and the Halifax hierarchy who appear unim-pressed with the timing of his decision so close to the 2022-23 opener at Barnet.
Confirming the news on social media, Halifax – who finished fourth in the National League last season before missing out in the play-offs to Chesterfield – said: “Jamie Allen has decided to join the cast of Love Island 2022, making his intentions clear that the opportunity is very important to him. The matter will be reviewed on his return.”
Good company
Allen is not the only sports star to appear on the show this year.
Jacques O'Neill, who quit the villa in a shock exit last week, played for Super League rugby club Castleford Tigers before joining the show.
And the Halifax man is in good company when it comes to Non-League footballers joining the quest to find love in the villa.
Last year, Aaron Simpson, who assisted in Sutton United's promotion to League Two, appeared, while Oxford City defender Finn Tapp beat ex-Darlington and England C man Luke Trotman to win series six in 2020.
