A forward who made his Football League début and 7 appearances for Exeter, scoring once, before moving to Crystal Palace in 1969. In five seasons at Selhurst Park he played 24 times in the League and in 1972/73 went on loan to Fulham, appearing in another 12 matches.

Alan first came to the attention of Dons fans halfway through Mike Everitt's reign, when it looked like Everitt's contract might be paid up and another player-manager would have been the target. Everitt stayed for another year, but Alan joined on loan from Crystal Palace under Dick Graham in December of the following season, scoring 3 times in 6 matches before moving to South Africa.