Born in Erith, but moved to Woking where he played for Surrey Schoolboys. Joined Woking, where he played in the first team aged seventeen, while working as a golf course green-keeper. While there was spotted playing for Surrey Youth in a game at Selhurst Park and signed professionally for Crystal Palace, but failed to make the first team at Selhurst Park.

Played 14 times (twice as sub), scoring twice, on loan at Stockport County in the first two months of the 1969/70 season as they were relegated from the Third Division and had a short spell at Nuneaton Borough before returning to London and joining Third Division Fulham after a trial in August 1970. Alan made his full debut in the fourth round of the League Cup at home to QPR, in front of a 31,727 crowd paying record receipts, setting up the first goal. He played mostly in Fulham's Combination side, scoring 18 goals.

Still working on the golf course (and the golf), he joined Wimbledon the following season, scoring 14 times in 35 appearances before setting a goalscoring record at Ashford Town in 1972/73, 46 goals in 59 games. He moved on to Maidstone United and continued playing up until 1984 with spells at Woking, Kingstonian, Wokingham, Walton & Hersham, Farnborough Town, Epsom & Ewell and Westfield.