Richard Allen (field hockey)

Richard Allen (born October 14, 1902, died June 1969) was an Indian field hockey player who competed in the 1928, 1932, and 1936 Summer Olympics. He was the goalkeeper for the Indian national team and was part of the teams that won gold medals in all three Olympics. Allen did not concede a single goal during the 1928 and 1936 Olympics and only conceded one goal in the 1932 Olympics. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers in field hockey history.

Allen's calm demeanor and exceptional reflexes were key to India's dominance in the sport during that era. While statistical records from that period are not as comprehensive as modern records, anecdotal accounts and contemporary reports consistently highlighted his outstanding performance and contribution to the Indian team's success. He was known for his positional awareness and ability to anticipate shots, making him a formidable barrier in the goal.