Alan was born in Hitchin, Hertfordshire. He began his working life as a civil servant before moving to Norwich on an exchange programme with HMSO. After leaving the civil service, he became a postman, which allowed him to devote more time to playing football. He played for several local clubs across Norfolk, including Hoveton, Wroxham, Lowestoft, Bury, and Thetford.

When his father became seriously ill, he returned to Hitchin to help his sisters care for him. This move also gave him the chance to resume his football career with clubs such as Shefford, Baldock Town, and Stevenage, before finishing his Hertfordshire football journey at Letchworth FC. Eventually, he returned to Norfolk, where he married his ex-wife, Kim.

In 2010, his life was forever changed. He was summoned to a solicitor’s office for the reading of his uncle’s will. It revealed that his uncle, along with a group of other men, had raped and sexually abused him over a number of years when he was between the ages of seven and twelve. The trauma and betrayal devastated him. In the years that followed, he struggled with alcohol dependency and attempted to take his own life three times as he wrestled with the overwhelming weight of the abuse he had suffered.

His path began to change when his friend Barry Howard watched the Victoria Derbyshire show, where survivors from the Offside Trust spoke publicly about the abuse they had endured at the hands of Barry Bennell. Barry urged him to reach out to the Offside Trust. He did — and found a community that understood. He became a member of the organisation, then an ambassador in 2019, and finally a director in 2023.

Since joining the Offside Trust, he has found purpose and strength. He has now supported more than 870 survivors of abuse across East Anglia and continues to fight for justice and the welfare of others who have experienced abuse.

As a footballer, he represented both Norfolk and Suffolk more than 20 times, made five appearances for Norwich City Reserves, three appearances for the FA XI, and six appearances for the England non-league team at both senior and veteran levels.

Today, he remains determined to continue his work advocating for survivors of abuse. He is profoundly grateful to everyone who has supported him throughout his harrowing, but ultimately empowering, journey toward healing and helping others.