For every country player such as a Stephen Michael,  Barry Cable, or  Peter Matera there are many who for one reason or another didn’t stay around long enough to reach the level their abilities suggested they were capable of. Kelvin Allsop was one of these.One of the best juniors ever to play in the Nelson Football Association, the five foot seven rover had won two Association fairest and bests within two months of turning twenty one.  A regular in the Balingup side from the age of sixteen, Allsop came under the notice of former Claremont star Maurie Bridgwood, who was in attendance at an inter association game at Collie. Bridgwood was watching the game with Kelvin’s brother, Allen, and enquired about the fleet of foot rover.  Allsop went straight into the Claremont league side for the first game of the 1955 season, and made such an impression that he was selected in the state squad the following year, and won Claremont’s fairest and best award.  There were some great rovers around at that time, with Frank “Dickie” Walker, Ray “Oscar” Howard, Barry White, John Todd, and Kevin McGill always in contention for State honours before a twenty two year old from the bush, and the lowly position of the Tigers wasn’t a help.Kelvin shared the roving initially with another youngster, Murray Ward, before the advent of Collie boy, Les Mumme. A brilliant reader of the ball off hands and an impeccable kick, he played fifty eight games over three and a half seasons before quitting the big smoke midway through 1958 and returning to the picturesque fields of Balingup. Allsop played the remainder of the season at Balingup before being appointed playing coach of Donnybrook in 1959. Moving to Busselton in 1961, he captain coached the club from 1962 to 1966. In that period they won one premiership(in 1964) and were runners up three times. Kelvin continued with Busselton as a player the following year under new mentor, Neville Carter, before coaching Margaret River in 1968 and 69 and returning to Busselton the following year.Seven years later, Allsop was back in the chair at Busselton, enjoying another premiership.His work at the Busselton club was recognised  when the club named it’s Team of the Century and he was installed as coach, an honour he also received when  the SWNFL announced their Team of the Century.Kelvin’s wife Margaret was a good hockey player at Busselton in her younger days, while daughters Debbie and Gemma have continued the family sporting tradition by excelling at the sport, Debbie representing Western Australia at under eighteen and nineteen level.  Son Kim  played colts at Claremont before being transferred in his employment. Kelvin Allsop was one of many outstanding country players who were for varying reasons unable to commit to the time and dedication needed to translate their country performances onto the league stage and reach the high level they were certainly capable of. He showed his talent over the short time he was at Claremont Oval.