Alan Blayney

Alan Blayney

Born 9 October 1981 (Age 23 at debut)

Position: Goalkeeper

(Diamonds player #202)

Total appearances 4

(4 League)

Debut:

8 January 2005 (Home Shrewsbury Town)

Final game:

29 January 2005 (Away Rochdale)

Alan was born in Northern Ireland and started his career at Southampton, signing a contract in August 2002. In three and a half years with the Saints however, he only made three League appearances, and spent several months out on loan. He played for Stockport County and AFC Bournemouth in the 2002/03 season, and joined Rushden & Diamonds on 7 January 2005 after Billy Turley’s suspension from the club. Although the loan was initially for one month, he was recalled by Southampton on 4 February after their own keeper suffered an injury. He went out on loan to Brighton & Hove Albion later in the season, and again the following year.

In January 2006, he signed for Doncaster Rovers after the payment of a £50,000 transfer fee, but his stay last just over a year before joining Oldham Athletic in February 2007 for an undisclosed fee. At the end of the season, Alan moved back to Northern Ireland, joining Bohemians in August 2007. In March 2008, he joined Ballymena United in the Carnegie Premier League where he was their first choice keeper until the end of the 2008/09 season. On 1 June 2009, he joined rivals Linfield who had just missed out on the League title in the previous season. After further success in Northern Ireland for a number of clubs, including Warrenpoint Town in 2017/18 he retired from the game in October 2018.

Appearances

2004/2005 – squad number 13