F Alan O'Neill | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | #480 |
480
Legacy
Number
0
Youth
Promotion #
0
Youth
Debut #
Villa Career
F Alan O'Neill | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | #480 |
34
Villa Appearances
11
Villa
Goals
6
Villa
Assists
2.00
Game
Per
Competition Breakdown
F Alan O'Neill | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | #480 |
23
League Appearances
3
FA Cup
Appearances
8
League Cup
Appearances
0
European
Appearances
Division Record
F Alan O'Neill | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | #480 |
0
Premier League Appearances
23
Division One
Appearances
0
Championship
Appearances
0
Division Two
Appearances
0
Division Three
Appearances
League Record
F Alan O'Neill | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | #480 |
23
League Appearances
6
League
Goals
4
League
Assists
2.30
League
per Game
FA Cup Record
F Alan O'Neill | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | #480 |
3
FA Cup Appearances
0
FA Cup
Goals
2
FA Cup
Assists
1.50
FA Cup
per Game
League Cup Record
8
League Cup Appearances
F Alan O'Neill | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | #480 |
5
League Cup
Goals
0
League Cup
Assists
1.60
League Cup
per Game
European Record
F Alan O'Neill | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | #480 |
0
European Appearances
0
European
Goals
0
European
Assists
0.00
European
per Game
Other Appearance Record
F Alan O'Neill | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | #480 |
0
Other Appearances
0
Other
Goals
0
Other
Assists
0.00
Other
per Game
Villa Career
๐ฉ 22 Oct 1960, Villa 6-2 Birmingham, Villa Park
Division One
Scorer(s) | Alan OโNeill | 1' | 67' | Gerry Hitchens | 31' | 84' | 87' | Peter McParland | 49' |
Assist(s) | Peter McParland | 1' | Ron Wylie | 31' |
๐ฉ 29 Oct 1960, Villa 2-0 Albion, Hawthorns
Division One
Scorer(s) | Gerry Hitchens | 2' | Alan OโNeill | 41' |
Assist(s) | Ron Wylie | 2' | Vic Crowe | 41' |
๐ฉ 5 Nov 1960, Villa 2-0 Burnley, Villa Park
Division One
Scorer(s) | Gerry Hitchens | 35' | 46' |
Assist(s) | Alan O'Neill | 35' | Peter McParland | 46' |
๐จ 12 Nov 1960, Villa 1-1 Preston, Deepdale
Division One
Scorer(s) | Peter McParland | 58' |
Assist(s) | Alan O'Neill | 58' |
๐จ 15 Nov 1960, Villa 3-3 Preston, Deepdale
League Cup
Scorer(s) | Alan OโNeill | 5' | Gerry Hitchens | 40' | Bobby Thomson | 85' |
Assist(s) | Jimmy MacEwan | 5' | Peter McParland | 40' |
๐ฉ 19 Nov 1960, Villa 2-1 Fulham, Villa Park
Division One
Scorer(s) | Jimmy MacEwan | 42' | Ron Wylie | 57' |
Assist(s) | Jimmy MacEwan | 57' |
๐ฉ 23 Nov 1960, Villa 3-1 Preston, Villa Park
League Cup
Scorer(s) | Gerry Hitchens | 30' | Ron Wylie | 58' | Jimmy MacEwan | 82' |
Assist(s) | None
๐ฉ 26 Nov 1960, Villa 2-1 Wednesday, Hillsborough
Division One
Scorer(s) | Own Goal | 7' | Gerry Hitchens | 30' |
Assist(s) | Peter McParland | 30' |
๐ฉ 3 Dec 1960, Villa 5-1 Manchester City, Villa Park
Division One
Scorer(s) | Alan OโNeill | 20' | Gerry Hitchens | 34' | 55' (pen) | Peter McParland | 57' | Ron Wylie | 74' |
Assist(s) | Peter McParland | 20' | Vic Crowe | 34' | Jimmy MacEwan | 57' |
๐ฅ 10 Dec 1960, Villa 0-2 Forest, City Ground
Division One
Scorer(s) | None
Assist(s) | None
๐จ 13 Dec 1960, Villa 3-3 Plymouth, Villa Park
League Cup
Scorer(s) | Peter McParland | 48' | 56' | Jimmy MacEwan | 70' |
Assist(s) | None
๐จ 28 Jan 1961, Villa 1-1 Peterborough, London Road
FA Cup
Scorer(s) | Own Goal | 31' |
Assist(s) | None
๐ฉ 1 Feb 1961, Villa 2-1 Peterborough, Villa Park
FA Cup
Scorer(s) | Peter McParland | 49' | 62' |
Assist(s) | Alan O'Neill | 49' | 62' |
๐จ 4 Feb 1961, Villa 1-1 United, Old Trafford
Division One
Scorer(s) | Bobby Thomson | 47' |
Assist(s) | None
๐ฉ 6 Feb 1961, Villa 5-3 Plymouth, Home Park
League Cup
Scorer(s) | Harry Burrows | 45โ | Alan OโNeill | 59โ | Gerry Hitchens | 63โ | 70โ | 88โ |
Assist(s) | Jimmy MacEwan | 59โ | 63โ | Harry Burrows | 88โ |
๐ฅ 11 Feb 1961, Villa 1-2 Spurs, Villa Park
Division One
Scorer(s) | Stan Lynn | 63' (pen) |
Assist(s) | None
๐ฅ 18 Feb 1961, Villa 0-2 Spurs, Villa Park
FA Cup
Scorer(s) | None
Assist(s) | None
๐ฉ 22 Mar 1961, Villa 2-1 Everton, Goodison
Division One
Scorer(s) | Alan Deakin | 57' | Bobby Thomson | 80' |
Assist(s) | Peter McParland | 57' |
๐ฅ 3 Apr 1961, Villa 0-3 Bolton, Burnden Park
Division One
Scorer(s) | None
Assist(s) | None
๐ฉ 4 Apr 1961, Villa 4-0 Bolton, Villa Park
Division One
Scorer(s) | Jimmy MacEwan | 8' | 61' | Peter McParland | 49' | Alan OโNeill | 89' |
Assist(s) | Peter McParland | 8' | Alan O'Neill | 49' | Gerry Hitchens | 61' | Jimmy MacEwan | 89' |
๐จ 10 Apr 1961, Villa 1-1 Burnley, Turf Moor
League Cup
Scorer(s) | Gerry Hitchens | 35' |
Assist(s) | None
๐ฉ 15 Apr 1961, Villa 1-0 Preston, Villa Park
Division One
Scorer(s) | Bobby Thomson | 59' |
Assist(s) | Gerry Hitchens | 59' |
๐ฅ 19 Apr 1961, Villa 1-3 Leicester, Filbert Street
Division One
Scorer(s) | Alfie Hale | 69' |
Assist(s) | Peter McParland | 69' |
๐ฉ 5 Sep 1961, Villa 3-0 Rotherham, Villa Park
League Cup
Scorer(s) | Alan O'Neill | 67' | Harry Burrows | 69' | Peter McParland | 109' |
Assist(s) | Alan Deakin | 67' |
๐ฅ 9 Sep 1961, Villa 2-4 West Ham, Villa Park
Division One
Scorer(s) | Vic Crowe | 46' | Peter McParland | 58' |
Assist(s) | Harry Burrows | 46' | Jimmy MacEwan | 58' |
๐ฉ 11 Nov 1961, Villa 3-1 Arsenal, Villa Park
Division One
Scorer(s) | Harry Burrows | 60' | Peter McParland | 76' | Bobby Thomson | 89' |
Assist(s) | Alan Deakin | 60' | 89' | Bobby Thomson | 76' |
๐จ 18 Nov 1961, Villa 1-1 Bolton, Burnden Park
Division One
Scorer(s) | Bobby Thomson | 60' |
Assist(s) | Allan O'Neill | 60' |
๐ฅ 21 Nov 1961, Villa 2-3 Ipswich, Villa Park
League Cup
Scorer(s) | Harry Burrows | 47' | 75' (pen) |
Assist(s) | None
๐ฉ 20 Oct 1962, Villa 1-0 Orient, Villa Park
Division One
Scorer(s) | Harry Burrows | 77' |
Assist(s) | None
๐ฅ 27 Oct 1962, Villa 2-3 Birmingham, St Andrew's
Division One
Scorer(s) | Alan OโNeill | 55' | Harry Burrows | 60' (pen) |
Assist(s) | Bobby Thomson | 55' |
๐จ 10 Nov 1962, Villa 0-0 Wednesday, Hillsborough
Division One
Scorer(s) | None
Assist(s) | None
๐ฉ 12 Nov 1962, Villa 6-2 Preston, Villa Park
League Cup
Scorer(s) | Harry Burrows | 14' (pen) | 5-0 | Alan Baker | 23' | 59' | Alan OโNeill | 52' | 74' |
Assist(s) | None
๐ฉ 17 Nov 1962, Villa 2-1 Burnley, Villa Park
Division One
Scorer(s) | Harry Burrows | 7' | Derek Dougan | 20' |
Assist(s) | John Sleeuwenhoek | 7' | Charlie Aitken | 20' |
๐จ 24 Nov 1962, Villa 2-2 United, Old Trafford
Division One
Scorer(s) | Own Goal | 5' | Derek Dougan | 52' |
Assist(s) | Harry Burrows | 52' |
Personal Profile
F Alan O'Neill | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | #480 |
Full Name:
Role:
Alan O'Neill
Forward
Position:
Born:
Forward
13 November 1937
Birthplace:
Country:
Citizenship:
Sunderland ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ
England ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ
England ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ
Height:
(5ย ft 9ย in) 1.77 m
Foot:
-
Career Progression
F Alan O'Neill | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | #480 |
1960-62 Aston Villa First Team
1962 Aston Villa Reserves
October 1960: Aged 22, signed from Sunderland
First Team Career
34
Villa Appearances
F Alan O'Neill | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | #480 |
11
Villa
Goals
6
Villa
Assists
F Alan O'Neill | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ |
Aston Villa 1960-62 | ยฃ9k |
๐ 34 | โ
34 | ๐ (-) | โฝ 11 | ๐ฅ 6 | ๐บ - | #480 |
๐ฉ 17 | ๐จ 9 | ๐ฅ 8 |
Cards ๐จ 1 | ๐ฅ 0 |
Played Under
F Alan O'Neill | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | #480 |
Joe Mercer ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ 1960-62 ๐ 34 | โ 34 | ๐ (-) | โฝ 11 | ๐ฅ 6 | ๐ฉ 17 | ๐จ 9 | ๐ฅ 8 |
Honours
F Alan O'Neill | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | #480 |
๐ 1960-61 League Cup Winner
Previous Clubs
F Alan O'Neill | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | #480 |
Deptford Council School ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ
1956-60 Sunderland ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ
Football League First Division, Second Division
๐ 74 | โฝ 27 | (League)
Transfer In
F Alan O'Neill | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | #480 |
Season:
1960-61
From:
Sunderland ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ
Fee:
ยฃ9.0k
Date:
17 October 1960
Age:
22
Under:
Joe Mercer ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ
Loans Out
F Alan O'Neill | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | #480 |
None
Transfer Out
F Alan O'Neill | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | #480 |
Season:
1962-63
From:
Plymouth Argyle ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ
Fee:
Free
Date:
November 1962
Age:
25
Under:
Joe Mercer ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ
Subsequent Clubs
F Alan O'Neill | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | #480 |
1962-64 Plymouth Argyle ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ
Football League Second Division
๐ 40 | โฝ 14 | (League)
1964-66 Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ
Football League Third Division
๐ 37 | โฝ 8 | (League)
Retired
Career Notes
F Alan O'Neill | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | #480 |
October 1960: Aged 22, signed from Sunderland
Villa Career Breakdown
F Alan O'Neill | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | #480 |
Villa Games
๐ Games:
โ Starter:
๐ Substitute:
๐บ Unused:
34
34
0
0
Villa Goals & Assists
โฝ Goals:
๐ฅ Assists:
Games per Goal:
Games per Involvement:
11
6
3.09
2.00
Villa Career Breakdown
F Alan O'Neill | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | #480 |
Career Results
๐ฉ Won:
๐บ Unbeaten:
๐ฅ Lost:
Points / Game:
50%
76%
24%
1.76
Career Cards
๐จ Bookings:
๐ฅ Sendings Off:
Games / Card:
1
0
Season Record
F Alan O'Neill | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | #480 |
1960-61
Games
๐ Games:
23
โ Starter:
23
๐ Substitute:
0
๐บ Unused:
0
Goals
โฝ Goals:
7
๐ฅ Assists:
5
Games per Goal:
3.29
Games per Involvement:
1.92
Results
๐ฉ Won:
52%
๐บ Unbeaten:
78%
๐ฅ Lost:
22%
Points per Game:
1.83
Cards
๐จ Bookings:
0
๐ฅ Sendings
Off:
0
Games per
Card:
0.00
1962-63
Games
๐ Games:
6
โ Starter:
6
๐ Substitute:
0
๐บ Unused:
0
Goals
โฝ Goals:
3
๐ฅ Assists:
0
Games per Goal:
2.00
Games per Involvement:
2.00
Results
๐ฉ Won:
50%
๐บ Unbeaten:
83%
๐ฅ Lost:
17%
Points per Game:
1.83
Cards
๐จ Bookings:
1
๐ฅ Sendings
Off:
0
Games per
Card:
6.00
1961-62
Games
๐ Games:
5
โ Starter:
5
๐ Substitute:
0
๐บ Unused:
0
Goals
โฝ Goals:
1
๐ฅ Assists:
1
Games per Goal:
5.00
Games per Involvement:
2.50
Results
๐ฉ Won:
40%
๐บ Unbeaten:
60%
๐ฅ Lost:
40%
Points per Game:
1.40
Cards
๐จ Bookings:
0
๐ฅ Sendings
Off:
0
Games per
Card:
0.00
League Breakdown
F Alan O'Neill | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | #480 |
League Games
๐ Games:
โ Starter:
๐ Substitute:
23
23
0
League Goals & Assists
โฝ Goals:
๐ฅ Assists:
Games per Goal:
Games per Involvement:
6
4
3.83
2.30
League Seasons
F Alan O'Neill | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | #480 |
1960-61
First Division
Games
๐ Games:
โ Starter:
๐ Substitute:
๐บ Unused:
15
15
0
000.00
Goals
โฝ Goals:
5
๐ฅ Assists:
3
Games per
Goal:
3.00
Games per Involvement:
1.88
1962-63
First Division
Games
๐ Games:
โ Starter:
๐ Substitute:
๐บ Unused:
5
5
0
000.00
Goals
โฝ Goals:
1
๐ฅ Assists:
0
Games per
Goal:
5.00
Games per Involvement:
5.00
1961-62
First Division
Games
๐ Games:
โ Starter:
๐ Substitute:
๐บ Unused:
3
3
0
000.00
Goals
โฝ Goals:
0
๐ฅ Assists:
1
Games per
Goal:
0.00
Games per Involvement:
3.00
FA Cup Breakdown
F Alan O'Neill | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | #480 |
FA Cup Games
๐ Games:
โ Starter:
๐ Substitute:
3
3
0
FA Cup Goals & Assists
โฝ Goals:
๐ฅ Assists:
Games per Goal:
Games per Involvement:
0
2
0.00
1.50
FA Cup Seasons
F Alan O'Neill | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | #480 |
1960-61
FA Cup
Games
๐ Games:
3
โ Starter:
3
๐ Substitute:
0
Goals
โฝ Goals:
0
๐ฅ Assists:
2
Games per
Goal:
0.00
Games per Involvement:
1.50
1962-63
FA Cup
Games
๐ Games:
0
โ Starter:
0
๐ Substitute:
0
Goals
โฝ Goals:
0
๐ฅ Assists:
0
Games per
Goal:
0.00
Games per Involvement:
0.00
1961-62
FA Cup
Games
๐ Games:
0
โ Starter:
0
๐ Substitute:
0
Goals
โฝ Goals:
0
๐ฅ Assists:
0
Games per
Goal:
0.00
Games per Involvement:
0.00
League Cup Breakdown
F Alan O'Neill | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | #480 |
League Cup Games
๐ Games:
โ Starter:
๐ Substitute:
8
8
0
League Cup Goals & Assists
โฝ Goals:
๐ฅ Assists:
Games per Goal:
Games per Involvement:
5
0
1.60
1.60
League Cup Seasons
F Alan O'Neill | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | #480 |
1960-61
League Cup
Games
๐ Games:
5
โ Starter:
5
๐ Substitute:
0
Goals
โฝ Goals:
2
๐ฅ Assists:
0
Games per
Goal:
2.50
Games per Involvement:
2.50
1962-63
League Cup
Games
๐ Games:
1
โ Starter:
1
๐ Substitute:
0
Goals
โฝ Goals:
2
๐ฅ Assists:
0
Games per
Goal:
0.50
Games per Involvement:
0.50
1961-62
League Cup
Games
๐ Games:
2
โ Starter:
2
๐ Substitute:
0
Goals
โฝ Goals:
1
๐ฅ Assists:
0
Games per
Goal:
2.00
Games per Involvement:
2.00
European Breakdown
F Alan O'Neill | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | #480 |
European Games
๐ Games:
โ Starter:
๐ Substitute:
0
0
0
European Goals & Assists
โฝ Goals:
๐ฅ Assists:
Games per Goal:
Games per Involvement:
0
0
0.00
0.00
European Seasons
F Alan O'Neill | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | #480 |
1960-61
n/a
Games
๐ Games:
0
โ Starter:
0
๐ Substitute:
0
Goals
โฝ Goals:
0
๐ฅ Assists:
0
Games per
Goal:
0.00
Games per Involvement:
0.00
1962-63
n/a
Games
๐ Games:
0
โ Starter:
0
๐ Substitute:
0
Goals
โฝ Goals:
0
๐ฅ Assists:
0
Games per
Goal:
0.00
Games per Involvement:
0.00
1961-62
n/a
Games
๐ Games:
0
โ Starter:
0
๐ Substitute:
0
Goals
โฝ Goals:
0
๐ฅ Assists:
0
Games per
Goal:
0.00
Games per Involvement:
0.00
Unused Substitute Record
F Alan O'Neill | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | #480 |
34
Villa Appearances
0
Unused
Sub
Cautions & Sending Off Record
F Alan O'Neill | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | #480 |
1
Bookings /
Cautions
0
Sendings
Off
International Career
F Alan O'Neill | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | #480 |
Full International Record
Villa International Record
League Breakdown
F Alan O'Neill | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | #480 |
Premier League
๐ Games:
โ Starter:
๐ Sub::
โฝ Goals:
๐ฅ Assists:
Games / Goal:
Games / Involvement:
0
0
0
0
0
0.00
0.00
Championship
๐ Games:
โ Starter:
๐ Sub::
โฝ Goals:
๐ฅ Assists:
Games / Goal:
0
0
0
0
0
0.00
Games / Involvement:
0.00
First Division
๐ Games:
โ Starter:
๐ Sub:
โฝ Goals:
๐ฅ Assists:
Games / Goal:
23
23
0
6
4
3.83
Games / Involvement:
2.30
Second Division
๐ Games:
โ Starter:
๐ Sub::
โฝ Goals:
๐ฅ Assists:
Games / Goal:
0
0
0
0
0
0.00
Games / Involvement:
0.00
Third Division
๐ Games:
โ Starter:
๐ Sub::
โฝ Goals:
๐ฅ Assists:
Games / Goal:
0
0
0
0
0
0.00
Games / Involvement:
0.00
Career Notes
F Alan O'Neill | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | #480 |
Biography
F Alan O'Neill | ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ | #480 |
Player #480 for Aston Villa, Alan OโNeill, played as a forward for the club. Alan played for Villa between 1960-61 and 1962-63 making 34 appearances and scoring 11 goals.
Alan was born in Leadgate, County Durham on 13 November 1937 and made his debut appearance for Villa on Saturday, 22 October 1960 aged 22.
Alan had been christened Alan Hope, but changed his surname to OโNeill in 1956.
Villa had signed Alan from Sunderland for a fee of ยฃ9,000 on 1 August 1960 and he made 15 appearances, scoring 5 goals, in his debut season as Villa finished 9th on their return to Division One.
Perhaps Alanโs most notable contribution however was in derby clashes with Birmingham City. Alan had made his debut in the second city derby hitting a brace as Birmingham were thrashed 6-2 with his first coming just 20 seconds into his playing career with Villa.
Alan who had experience of north east derbies recalled:
โWhen I played in derbies for Sunderland against Newcastle I knew it was a big thing. But I didnโt realise how big the derby in Birmingham was until I made my debut against the Blues.
โIt couldnโt have gone any better for me and when I was up at Villa Park for the Sunderland game the other week this bloke came up and reminded me. He said: โI was only a little boy when you scored that first goal against Blues on your debut and I could have picked you up and carried you around the ground, I was so happyโ.
โI remember we kicked off, Gerry Hitchens passed to me and I gave it to Peter McParland who ran down the wing and crossed it. I was just outside the box I think so I closed my eyes and swung my left foot at it and it went in. Scoring after 20 seconds against the Blues in my first game was a pretty good way of making myself popular with the Villa fans and I scored in a 2-0 win at the Albion the next week, which also helped.โ
During Villaโs victorious League Cup campaign in 1960-61 Alan made 6 appearances, scoring 3, as Villa went on to lift the trophy after vanquishing Rotherham United in the two legged final which was delayed until the 1961-62 season due to fixture congestion.
Thereafter however Alanโs appearances were to be less regular and he made his final appearance in the 1962-63 season Saturday, 24 November 1962 aged 25 after 3 seasons with Villa.
Alan moved on to Plymouth Argyle later in November 1962
Alan had played under manager Joe Mercer.