Town midfielder Georgia Allen has retired from football to pursue a career outside of the game.
The 22-year-old joined the Tractor Girls upon graduation from Syracuse University in the United States last summer and went on to play in seven of Town's eight competitive fixtures during the 2020/21 season.
The Bury St Edmunds born midfielder started her career with the Blues' former centre of excellence before joining Arsenal as a 12-year-old. She went on to progress through the Gunners' youth system before making her senior debut in the WSL as a teenager. Georgia was part of the Arsenal side that won the 2016 Continental Cup before deciding to accept a scholarship offer from East Tennessee State University shortly after her 18th birthday. After one year in Tennessee, Georgia transferred to Syracuse, where she went on to make 44 appearances across a three-year stint. She was named captain of The Orange in 2018 and was the recipient of a Cuse Award in 2019, an award that recognises Syracuse students for their outstanding performances within their relevant sport.
Georgia's career came full circle as she rejoined Ipswich Town last summer and became Joe Sheehan's first summer signing ahead of the 2020/21 campaign. She suffered an injury in pre-season which kept her out of the season opener against Hashtag United but returned to the side a week later, making her debut as a substitute in Town's 3-0 victory over Billericay Town. Georgia scored on her first start for the club the following week as her header from Anna Grey's cross opened the scoring in the Blues' 4-0 victory over Cambridge City. She would go on to be a mainstay in the Town squad and would contribute a further 4 goals and 2 assists before the season was brought to an abrupt end.
Internationally, Georgia had been heavily involved in all England age groups from U15s up to her most recent involvement with the England U21s. She was part of the Young Lionesses squad that finished third at the 2018 Women's U20 World Cup, with her spot-kick in a penalty shootout against France sealing the bronze medal for England. Georgia has also captained her country on several occasions and had the experience of playing at both the U17 and U19 European Championships.
On her retirement, Georgia said: " I’m very grateful to be ending my career after a successful season with Ipswich. I feel that it is the right time now to move onto my next challenge and I feel lucky to have come full circle to the club I started my football journey with."
She added: "It has been such an incredible journey and I leave the sport only with gratitude to the people I’ve met along the way and memories I will always have. I’m really looking forward to my next chapter and I wish Ipswich the very best with the move up to tier 3. Thank you to everyone who has supported me along the way, especially to my family who have really lived this experience with me."
Everyone at Ipswich Town would like to thank Georgia for her hard work, dedication and contribution over the past year. We wish her a happy retirement and the very best in the next chapter of her life.
The Bury St Edmunds born midfielder started her career with the Blues' former centre of excellence before joining Arsenal as a 12-year-old. She went on to progress through the Gunners' youth system before making her senior debut in the WSL as a teenager. Georgia was part of the Arsenal side that won the 2016 Continental Cup before deciding to accept a scholarship offer from East Tennessee State University shortly after her 18th birthday. After one year in Tennessee, Georgia transferred to Syracuse, where she went on to make 44 appearances across a three-year stint. She was named captain of The Orange in 2018 and was the recipient of a Cuse Award in 2019, an award that recognises Syracuse students for their outstanding performances within their relevant sport.
Georgia's career came full circle as she rejoined Ipswich Town last summer and became Joe Sheehan's first summer signing ahead of the 2020/21 campaign. She suffered an injury in pre-season which kept her out of the season opener against Hashtag United but returned to the side a week later, making her debut as a substitute in Town's 3-0 victory over Billericay Town. Georgia scored on her first start for the club the following week as her header from Anna Grey's cross opened the scoring in the Blues' 4-0 victory over Cambridge City. She would go on to be a mainstay in the Town squad and would contribute a further 4 goals and 2 assists before the season was brought to an abrupt end.
Internationally, Georgia had been heavily involved in all England age groups from U15s up to her most recent involvement with the England U21s. She was part of the Young Lionesses squad that finished third at the 2018 Women's U20 World Cup, with her spot-kick in a penalty shootout against France sealing the bronze medal for England. Georgia has also captained her country on several occasions and had the experience of playing at both the U17 and U19 European Championships.
On her retirement, Georgia said: " I’m very grateful to be ending my career after a successful season with Ipswich. I feel that it is the right time now to move onto my next challenge and I feel lucky to have come full circle to the club I started my football journey with."
She added: "It has been such an incredible journey and I leave the sport only with gratitude to the people I’ve met along the way and memories I will always have. I’m really looking forward to my next chapter and I wish Ipswich the very best with the move up to tier 3. Thank you to everyone who has supported me along the way, especially to my family who have really lived this experience with me."
Everyone at Ipswich Town would like to thank Georgia for her hard work, dedication and contribution over the past year. We wish her a happy retirement and the very best in the next chapter of her life.
