Already in his late thirties Ralph Allen was a wartime guest player for Exeter City during 1944/45 when, as the situation eased, a number of games were organised to constitute the first football played by the club since 1939. He had previously enjoyed great success at Charlton Athletic and had been with Torquay United immediately before the war.

He was playing for Dipton United in Durham when he signed for Fulham in 1928. After 8 goals in 16 games, he moved to Brentford in March 1931 for a fee of £275 but failed to make much of an impression in the first-team during three seasons at Griffin Park although he netted over a hundred times for the reserves. Leaving for for Charlton Athletic in October 1934 for £650, he scored 32 times (a club record) as the club won Division Three (South) in 1934/35. He then moved on to Reading in June 1936 for £820 before later playing for Northampton Town and - during 1938/39 - Torquay United. 

Having scored 15 times in 29 games during his time at Plainmoor, he was in Devon with the Royal Marines and on hand to guest for Exeter City during the 1944/45 season when he is recorded as playing against Plymouth Argyle in January 1945. He also played for Annfield Plain after the end of his professional career.

Ralph died in Northumberland on 9 May 1981. His brother Jack was a well-known player with Brentford, Sheffield Wednesday and Newcastle in the 1920s and 1930s.