Cobblers Past and Northampton Town Football Club are saddened to learn of the passing of former Cobbler Alan Woan (pictured here with son Ian).
Alan 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, against the Cobblers.
In two and a half seasons at Carrow Road Alan failed to win a regular first team place, although his goalscoring 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. The 1958-59 season would be one Alan would remember for a long time as he netted 32 league goals during the season.
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 along with 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 Chertsey and New Brighton again.
We send our condolences to Alan's family and friends.