Former Lincoln City goalkeeper Isaac Allan is earning glowing reviews during a loan spell in non-league football, as per a report from the Sunderland Echo.
The 19-year-old, who joined Sunderland from Lincoln City in the summer, has been described as “phenomenal” after a short but impactful spell with Morpeth Town, where he has taken his first senior steps away from academy football.
Allan was part of Lincoln City’s youth system before making the move north, a decision that has already started to bear fruit. After featuring regularly for Sunderland’s Under-21s in the opening months of the season, the goalkeeper was sent out on his first loan in senior football, joining Morpeth Town in the Northern Premier League Premier Division on an initial 28-day deal.
Working under Morpeth manager Craig Lynch, Allan quickly established himself as first choice, helping the Highwaymen recover from a slow start to the campaign. Ahead of their recent trip to Hebburn Town, Morpeth had lost just one of their previous seven matches, with Allan’s presence between the posts playing a key role in that upturn in form.
We’re delighted to welcome Isaac Allan from @SunderlandAFC on a 28-day loan 🤝
Welcome, Isaac! 🧤
📸 Sunderland AFC // #UpThePeth pic.twitter.com/JfPtOzYpvQ
— Morpeth Town AFC (@MorpethTownAFC) November 1, 2025
Lynch was effusive when assessing the former Lincoln City man’s contribution, making it clear that Morpeth would happily keep him longer if circumstances allowed.
“He’s unbelievable. I’ve said to Sunderland and to Isaac that with any other situation, he’s staying with us for as long as we can. But we have Dan Langley, who I’ve said many times is the best keeper in non league football, and he’s had to wait an extra month to get back in.
“Isaac has been phenomenal and everything about him tells me that he should make a career in the game. I’m delighted we’ve had him and I hope him coming to us helps his development.”
The Morpeth boss also highlighted the attributes that have caught the eye since Allan left Lincoln City and stepped into the senior game.
“Everyone has development areas but he has a lot of very good attributes. You stand next to him, he’s over six foot but his presence is so much bigger than that. His kicking with both feet, his shot stopping, he has everything to go far and hopefully he is taken up the leagues.
“I would like to see him get as high as he can and I would love to see him do that on the back of this loan.”
For Imps supporters, Allan’s rise feels a bit like that of Scott Loach. Loach was an academy product who we never saw near the first team, but who went on to have a big career in the game.
Allan’s early promise certainly reflects positively on our academy, even if his progress is not with us. It is unclear as to whether we have a future financial interest in the keeper.