All to often in his early days the scapegoat of an impatient City crowd, Alan was a tenacious central defender and a resilient character, belying his almost diffident appearance with a steely determination both in tackling opponents and in building a more amicable rapport with his vociferous critics.
A single off color game, albeit in a vital Sixth Round Cup-tie with Everton in 1968, set the crowd on Alan’s back (and som even went so far as to blame him for Manchester City’s goal in the 1969 Cup Final, when he stood in for injury victim John Sjoberg), yet subsequently there were countless occasions when the central defender earned much more than grudging cheers for his sterling back-line performances.
Over the course of several seasons Alan looked as if he’d have to settle for becoming merely a fringe utility member of the first team squad, but each time he bounced back to reclaim a senior berth, and he was probably at his peak almost ten years after his debut, when regularly partnering Jeff Blockley during the 1975/76 season.
The loyal clubman took a deserved testimonial from a friendly against Chelsea in May 1977, and eventually closed his career with a season at Northampton, in the familiar company of coach Clive Walker and on loan Paul Matthews.
After a short spell at Northampton Town, the 1978/9 season, he joined Corby Town. He later became a prison officer.
- Full Name: Allan Howard Woollett
- Position: Defender
- Date of Birth: 04.03.1947
- Birthplace: Wigston, Leicester
- Nation: England
- Caps / Goals: –
- Major League Career:
- 1967-78, Leicester City (228/0)
- 1978-79, Northampton Town (23/0)
Leave a Reply