Cobblers Past and Northampton Town Football Club are saddened to learn the passing of former Cobbler Alan Woan.

Alan Woan started his career with New Brighton whilst working as a carpenter. He joined Norwich City in 1953 and scored within three minutes of his league debut v Northampton!

In two and a half seasons at Carrow Road Alan failed to win a regular first team place although his goal scoring record for the reserves was 43 goals in 77 games.

He joined the Cobblers and settled down after struggling to come to terms with the move and at one stage put in a transfer request. The 1958-59 season would be one Alan would remember for a long time. On the plus side he netted 32 league goals during the season just two off Ted Bowen’s record.

He also missed out on the two F.A.Cup ties at home to Arsenal and away to his home City, Liverpool. Just a few days before the victory over Arsenal he went down with blood poisoning and was confined to bed. It was put down to Jack Jennings sherry and Egg mix. As he lodged in a flat in Abington Avenue he heard all the cheers and groans from across the road as the game progressed.

The following season he entered the record books by being the first player to score in the newly formed division Four when he netted the first goal in a 4-1 victory over Port Vale who ironically went on to win the league that season.

Alan was allowed to move to Crystal Palace in an exchange deal that brought Mike Deakin to the County Ground plus a cash adjustment. He stayed just over a year at Selhurst Park before moving on to Aldershot, managed by Dave Smith the man who had signed him for Northampton.

Alan spent three seasons at Aldershot where he later teamed up with Mike Deakin and then wound down his career with Chertsy and New Brighton again.

Alan Worked for the Council as a carpenter and later became manager of the department.

We send our condolences to Alans family and friends.