Alan Martin (footballer, born 1923)

John Alan Martin (23 November 1923 – 2004) was an English footballer who played as a half-back and inside-forward. A pacey and intelligent player, he scored 94 goals in 292 league appearances in eleven years in the Football League.

For the Australian player, see Alan Martin (Australian rules footballer).

Alan Martin
Personal information
Full name John Alan Martin[1]
Date of birth (1923-11-23)23 November 1923[1]
Place of birth Smallthorne, England[1]
Date of death 2004 (aged 80–81)
Position(s) Half-back / Inside-forward
Youth career
Nettlebank Villa
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1941–1951 Port Vale 169 (28)
1951–1955 Stoke City 104 (6)
1955–1957 Bangor City
1957–1959 Port Vale 19 (0)
Northwich Victoria
Total 292 (34)
Teams managed
Northwich Victoria
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

He began his career at Port Vale, turning professional in December 1942. He was sold to Stoke City in exchange for Albert Mullard and £10,000 in September 1951, and played First Division football for the "Potters". He spent 1955 to 1957 at Bangor City, before re-joining Port Vale in July 1957. He helped the "Valiants" to win the Fourth Division title in 1958–59, before moving on to Northwich Victoria.

Playing career

Martin joined Port Vale in February 1941 as an amateur, signing professional forms in December 1942.[1] He played 14 Third Division South games in 1946–47.[1] He scored his first senior goals at The Old Recreation Ground in a 4–1 win over Ipswich Town on 1 November 1947, and was an ever-present throughout the 1947–48 campaign, scoring eight goals.[1] He again played every minute of the 1948–49 season, and also bagged seven goals.[1] He scored eight goals in 28 games in 1949–50, and five goals in 46 games in 1950–51.[1] Manager Gordon Hodgson died in June 1951, and his replacement, Ivor Powell, sold Martin to Potteries derby rivals to Stoke City in exchange for Albert Mullard and £10,000 in September 1951.[1] This was a club record for Stoke.[2]

Martin scored twice in 34 First Division games in 1951–52, as the "Potters" narrowly avoided relegation under Bob McGrory. However relegation was not avoided in 1952–53 under new boss Frank Taylor, with Martin scoring four goals in 30 appearances. He made 38 Second Division appearances in 1953–54 but featured just six times in 1954–55, and left the Victoria Ground for Welsh club Bangor City.[3]

Martin returned to Burslem to re-sign for Port Vale on non-contract terms in July 1957; the club were now playing at Vale Park and managed by Norman Low, though were still in the Third Division South.[1] He featured just three times in 1957–58, but made 16 appearances in the Fourth Division title winning season of 1958–59.[1] He then left the club to become player-manager of Northwich Victoria, and also spent time coaching the Vale juniors.[1]

Style of play

Former teammate Roy Sproson said that: "Alan's assets were his pace and good control. He was extremely good on the ball and a highly intelligent player too."[4]

Career statistics

Source:[5]

Club Season Division League FA Cup Total
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Port Vale 1946–47 Third Division South 14000140
1947–48 Third Division South 42810438
1948–49 Third Division South 42611437
1949–50 Third Division South 24741288
1950–51 Third Division South 42541466
1951–52 Third Division South 520052
Total 1692810317931
Stoke City 1951–52 First Division 34240382
1952–53 First Division 29410304
1953–54 Second Division 38030410
1954–55 Second Division 303060
Total 10461101156
Port Vale 1957–58 Third Division South 300030
1958–59 Fourth Division 16000160
Total 19000190
Career total 2923421231336

Honours
Port Vale

References
  1. Kent, Jeff (1996). Port Vale Personalities. Witan Books. p. 185. ISBN 0-9529152-0-0.
  2. "Record recruits made huge impacts to justify their big-money moves". The Sentinel Green 'Un. 6 February 2016. p. 7.
  3. Matthews, Tony (1994). The Encyclopaedia of Stoke City. Lion Press. ISBN 0-9524151-0-0.
  4. Harper, Chris (10 February 1975). "Sproson's Eleven". The Sentinel. Archived from the original on 19 November 2008. Retrieved 23 June 2009.
  5. Alan Martin at the English National Football Archive (subscription required)
  6. Kent, Jeff (1990). "Fame and Fortune (1950–1959)". The Valiants' Years: The Story Of Port Vale. Witan Books. pp. 171–196. ISBN 0-9508981-4-7.
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