Here are a few facts which you may or may not know about the new Torquay United manager.
1. Although he was born in Slough on October 8th 1964, Alan qualifies to represent Wales through his parents, who both hail from Bridgend, and was capped once for the principality in World Cup qualifier against Holland in 1988, where he was handed the task of marking Marco Van Basten.
Wales lost 1-0-but Van Basten didn't score!
2. During his playing days, Alan was opponent of the Gulls on a number of occasions.
In 1988, he was part of the Swansea City side that defeated Torquay 5-4 over a two-legged Play-Off final. Seven years later, he played in the Scunthorpe United team which inflicted an 8-1 defeat on the Gulls at Plainmoor, which saw then manager Don O'Riordan sacked. Another future Gull Andy McFarlane scored five times for Scunny and Alan was also on target for the Iron.
3. As a manager, Alan led Bury, another of his former clubs, to fourth place in League Two in his first full season in charge, the 2008-09 campaign, but they were beaten by Shrewsbury Town in the semi-finals. Two years later, Alan guided the Shakers to the brink of promotion before accepting the vacant manager's position at Scunthorpe, who were then still in the Championship.
4. Earlier this season, Alan made the headlines for non-footballing reasons when he collided with a squirrel whilst on a cycle ride. Fortunately for Alan, he escaped with a few cuts and bruises despite being thrown off his bike and landing on his head.
