In 1998 Alan was a 19 year old defender in the Leeds United Team.
Alan recalls: That flight with the Leeds United team seems a lifetime ago. I was only a young boy at the time 19 years old. Football moves so fast and everyone has to take the best path for themselves but I remain in touch and friendly with a number of my teammates from back then.
My career took me up and down the country bouncing between Scotland and England.
I’ve now settled in Scotland where I work as manager of Scottish League 1 club Edinburgh City FC
I have been coaching since I stopped playing in about 2016.
I was fortunate to have had a decent career that included playing for my country, the Republic of Ireland, playing in European competitions and playing in a cup final.
Nearly 500 games over the 21 years.
I married my wife Leigh in 2009.
She is Scottish and we met when I was playing for Hearts in Edinburgh.
We have 2 children
Grace who is 15 years old and is in 4th year in high school
She is currently studying for her Nat 5 Exams.
Jude who is 11 years old and is in his last year of primary school.
He plays in Rangers Academy
I am grateful to John’s quick thinking in averting what could have been a much more tragic situation. Its only afterwards when the crash was investigated and we hear about some possible scenarios that were averted do we fully appreciate what a hero John is.
Please send John a big thank you from me!