TWO former Hammers players, who were both signed by Lou Macari, have recently returned to Football League management following the appointment of Martin Allen at League One Cheltenham Town and Jimmy Quinn at AFC Bournemouth, who face a mammoth task to climb clear of the League Two basement.

Allen immediately lifted Cheltenham off the botom of League One last night (Sept 16) by winning his first game in charge - a battling 2-1 home victory over Bristol Rovers.

For Allen, back in the game as Keith Downing's successor after being sacked by Leicester City 13 months ago, there was an emotional pull from Cheltenham, where his late father had been a successful manager.

Dennis Allen was in charge at Whaddon Road from 1974 to 1979, guiding the club to promotion from Division One North of the Southern League into the Premier Division in 1977.

"Mad Dog", as he is affectionately kniown to Hammers fans, was a regular on the terraces during his father's reign and he has a strong emotional attachment to the club.

Dennis died in 1995 at the age of 56, but Martin says he 'lives on' and would be a proud man. "It's special to come back and I have great memories of Cheltenham Town," Allen said.

"I am very proud and it's a shame that dad is not here, but I have no doubt he will be very proud today. It's a shame he passed away, but he lives on," added Allen, who was accompanied at his first press conference by his
ever-faithful pet dog Monty.

QUINN BACK AT BOURNEMOUTH

Jimmy Quinn's return to Bournemouth follows the departure of Kevin Bond. A former West Ham coach and the son of legendary ex-Hammers full-back John Bond, Kevin was sacked by the south coast club after a disappointing start to the campaign, off the back of last season's relegation from League One.

Quinn, a former Bournemouth striker, steered Cambridge United to the Blue Square Premier play-off final last season.

"It's a pleasure to be back," Quinn said. "I was only here a season, but I had a great time and a great rapport with the fans. It's a tough job, but with the stadium, facilities and players, I'm confident we can stay in the division."

Quinn, who was leading goalscorer for Bournemouth during the the 1991-92 season, left his job at Cambridge by mutual consent in June.

When Quinn returned to Dean Court the Cherries were without a win in four League Two matches this season and remain eight points from safety after starting the campaign with a 17-point deficit for a breach of League rules.