Alan Woan

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]

Alan Woan
Personal information
Full name Alan Esplin Woan[1]
Date of birth (1931-02-08)8 February 1931[1]
Place of birth Liverpool, England
Date of death 13 February 2021(2021-02-13) (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

Woan 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

After retirement, Woan worked with youth players at Tranmere Rovers and subsequently in local government on the Wirral.[5]

Personal life

Woan was born in Liverpool, England.[1][7] His brother Don and his son Ian were both professional footballers.

Woan died from COVID-19 in 2021.[10]

References
  1. Purkiss, Mike; Sands, Nigel (1989). Crystal Palace: A Complete Record 1905–1989. The Breedon Books Publishing Company. p. 344. ISBN 0907969542.
  2. Alan Esplin Woan
  3. "Alan Woan: 1931-2021". cpfc.co.uk. 13 February 2021. Archived from the original on 13 February 2021. Retrieved 13 February 2021.
  4. "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.
  5. "Where Are They Now?". 2004. Retrieved 22 February 2015.
  6. "Stalybridge Celtic 1990-1991". non-leaguclubdirectory.co.uk. The Non-League Club Directory. Retrieved 22 February 2015.
  7. "In Memory of Alan Woan". Norwich City F.C. 19 February 2021. Retrieved 19 February 2021.
  8. Purkiss, Mike; Sands, Nigel (1989). Crystal Palace: A Complete Record 1905–1989. The Breedon Books Publishing Company. p. 71. ISBN 0907969542.
  9. Purkiss, Mike; Sands, Nigel (1989). Crystal Palace: A Complete Record 1905–1989. The Breedon Books Publishing Company. p. 213. ISBN 0907969542.
  10. "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.
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