Gregg Covers Sport

Since graduating from the University of East London, Chris Allan has gone on to rub shoulders with some of the biggest names in football, including Lionel Messi and David Beckham. Now, more than 14 years later, Allan recently returned to the university as they celebrate successful alumni in the run up to graduating the class of 2024.

After completing his Film and Media studies degree, Allan went over to the United States with Camp America, an opportunity which first saw him experience life in Miami. Football, or ‘soccer’ for those on the other side of the Atlantic, was gaining in popularity in the Magic City, and Allan started up an Arsenal Supporters Group.

Such was the burgeoning success of his new creation, that when David Beckham first floated the idea of bringing an MLS franchise to Miami, his PR team invited Chris along to a launch party and offered him the job of helping bring together all the football supporter groups in Miami.

Having slowly climbed the ranks at the subsequently founded Inter Miami CF over the last few years, Allan now holds the title of Vice President of Fan Strategy and Experience. It is his job to help oversee how the fans interact with the club, ensuring they have the best possible experience when visiting Chase Stadium. He also works with the social media team, looking at what content will best engage the fans and help increase support for the club.

His role has taken on more importance over the last 12 months, with Inter Miami fanbase exploding since the signing of one of the greatest footballers to have ever lived, Lionel Messi.

In the last year, four members of Barcelona’s dominant team of the 2010’s, Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets and of course the talismanic number 10, have all made the move to the Sunshine State, and they have brought with them an increased and frenzied interest to Beckham’s team.

For example, when Inter Miami travelled to Illinois to take on the Chicago Fire, the home team sold out 61,000 capacity Soldier Field (the stadium they share with American Football Team the Chicago Bears), despite the average home attendance for the Fire last season being just over 18,000.

Such is the clamour to see Messi in person, home fans were promised compensation if the Argentinian wizard didn’t appear in their clash in July.

I sat down with Chris to discuss how it felt returning to UEL, his life in Miami, and future aspirations, and you can watch that interview below.