Alan Woan (8 February 1931 – 13 February 2021)[2][3] was an English professional footballer who played as an inside forward. He made a total of 289 Football League appearances for Norwich City, Northampton Town, Crystal Palace and Aldershot scoring 140 goals. He also played non-league football for New Brighton and Chertsey Town. He was the father of Ian Woan who also played professional football, most notably for Nottingham Forest[4][5] and Alan Junior, who played for Stalybridge Celtic.[5][6]
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Alan Esplin Woan[1] | ||
| Date of birth | 8 February 1931[1] | ||
| Place of birth | Liverpool, England | ||
| Date of death | 13 February 2021 (aged 90) | ||
| Position(s) | Inside forward | ||
| Youth career | |||
| ?–? | Bootle | ||
| ?–1953 | New Brighton | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1953–1956 | Norwich City | 21 | (7) |
| 1956–1959 | Northampton Town | 119 | (68) |
| 1959–1961 | Crystal Palace | 41 | (21) |
| 1961–1964 | Aldershot | 108 | (44) |
| 1964–? | Chertsey Town | ? | (?) |
| Total | 289 + | (140 +) | |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Playing career
editWoan began his career in non-league football, playing for Anfield Road School, Bootle and later New Brighton.[7] In 1953, Woan signed for Norwich City.[1] He scored three minutes into his debut appearance for Norwich City against Northampton Town.[7] Over the next three seasons, Woan made 21 League appearances (seven goals) for Norwich, and 43 times in 77 matches for Norwich City Reserves.[7] In 1956, he moved on to Northampton Town.[1] In his time at Northampton, he scored 68 goals in 118 appearances. However, in October 1959,[1] he was signed by Crystal Palace in exchange for Mike Deakin.[8] He made his Palace debut on 31 October in an away 2–0 win against Gateshead,[9] and between then and February 1961,[1] made 46 appearances, in all competitions, scoring 23 goals.[3] He then moved again, to Aldershot where he made 108 appearances over the next three years, scoring 44 goals, before moving into non-league football with Chertsey Town.[3]
Later career
editAfter retirement, Woan worked with youth players at Tranmere Rovers and subsequently in local government on the Wirral.[5]
Personal life
editWoan was born in Liverpool, England.[1][7] His brother Don and his son Ian were both professional footballers.
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g Purkiss, Mike; Sands, Nigel (1989). Crystal Palace: A Complete Record 1905–1989. The Breedon Books Publishing Company. p. 344. ISBN 0907969542.
- ^ Alan Esplin Woan
- ^ a b c "Alan Woan: 1931-2021". cpfc.co.uk. 13 February 2021. Archived from the original on 13 February 2021. Retrieved 13 February 2021.
- ^ "Rare football programmes reveal amazing story of how Lowestoft captain turned professional". pinkun.com. 5 November 2014. Archived from the original on 23 February 2015. Retrieved 22 February 2014.
- ^ a b c "Where Are They Now?". 2004. Retrieved 22 February 2015.
- ^ "Stalybridge Celtic 1990-1991". non-leaguclubdirectory.co.uk. The Non-League Club Directory. Retrieved 22 February 2015.[permanent dead link]
- ^ a b c d "In Memory of Alan Woan". Norwich City F.C. 19 February 2021. Retrieved 19 February 2021.
- ^ Purkiss, Mike; Sands, Nigel (1989). Crystal Palace: A Complete Record 1905–1989. The Breedon Books Publishing Company. p. 71. ISBN 0907969542.
- ^ Purkiss, Mike; Sands, Nigel (1989). Crystal Palace: A Complete Record 1905–1989. The Breedon Books Publishing Company. p. 213. ISBN 0907969542.
- ^ "Sean Dyche pays tribute to Alan Woan - father of his No 2 Ian - after he died of Covid-19| All Football". AllfootballOfficial. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
External links
edit- Alan Woan at Post War English & Scottish Football League A–Z Player's Transfer Database
- Alan Woan at holmesdale.net
- Where are they now? Aldershot F.C.