Alan started his career at Wolves as a youth player. On leaving the academy, he joined Cradley Town and then Cheltenham Town in 1992, where he impressed Peter Shilton so much, he was signed for Plymouth Argyle in 1993. He went on to make seventy-nine appearances for Argyle, before suffering an injury blighted season in 1995. He joined Gillingham Town, but was loaned out to Celtic in November 1995 to cover a suspension to regular keeper Harvey Willets. Alan played just one game for Celtic, a 3-1 win away at Dover, but what happened next was tragic. After the match, he was driving back with his friend's brother and father while his friend Scott Lindsey. After an hour, he chose to ride on the back of Scott's bike to keep him company, but near Peterborough, Scott lost control of the motorbike and both were killed instantly. He is buried in St Pauls Church, Blackheath.
