Allner started his playing career as a schoolboy at Birmingham City before signing amateur forms at Walsall playing reserve football. After being released he drifted into non-league football, firstly at Paget Rangers, where he won the Midland Combination under the guidance of manager Rhys Davies. Allner had a trial with Aston Villa during the 1970–71 season. He then rejoined Davies at Alvechurch, winning another Midland Combination title in 1971–72. During that season Allner played in all 6 FA Cup games against Oxford City. Two years later he scored the winning goal against Exeter City in the FA Cup before eventually being knocked out by Bradford City. A trial at Hereford United followed in 1974 before signing for Stourbridge in September 1974 under Allan Grundy. He only spent a season at Stourbridge before moving to Redditch United, then quickly moving on to Bromsgrove Rovers.