Just like Michael Chopra, he was a prolific goalscorer for the Toon Reserves but never given a decent runout in the first team. Ten first team games in three seasons, with two goals to his name.
And again, like Chopra, he moved down the leagues and was given a big money transfer. In his case, to Chelsea, after success at Hartlepool.
He has joined Dennis Wise at Leeds as coach last season and the club plunged the depths and now face life in League One - the old Third Division.
Tough times and the ex-Newcastle number nine has admitted how he feared for Dennis Wise's life during last season's relegation struggle at Elland Road.
Joe Allon - I Feared For Boss's Life!
The troubled Yorkshire club went down in administration after their 1-1 draw with Ipswich, on a day when a minority of Leeds fans invaded the pitch and headed straight for the players and management.
Allon: "The Leeds fans were so disappointed with relegation and had every right to be upset. Nobody wanted the club to go down like that.
"Our off-the-field troubles are well publicised. That day against Ipswich I feared for Wisey's life and wanted to get him off that pitch as soon as possible.
"You shouldn't be talking about someone's life at risk in football, but that's how it was and you try to protect the people you care about - which I had to with Wisey.
"He came in with the club in a bad position, and in six months almost kept them up. It wasn't his fault, but he still was man enough to accept the blame and has vowed to sort it out this season.
"It was surreal. There were fans and stewards everywhere while we were holed up in the dressing room counting numbers to see if everyone was in safely.
"Thankfully they were, but we had to remind people there was still 90 seconds left and we had a corner.
"We sent everyone up for that corner, including the keeper, but it wasn't enough."