Alan Martin (footballer born 1989)
Encyclopedia
Alan Martin is a Scottish
footballer who plays for Crewe Alexandra
as a goalkeeper.
Martin is a former Scotland under-21
international
, who is viewed as a bright prospect for the future.
of Scottish Premier League
team Motherwell
, making the first team for the 2005–06 season. Martin was a substitute goalkeeper for Motherwell and never managed to make a League appearance for them before moving on.
made enquiries about signing Martin in 2007, before joining League One
team Leeds United
on an initial two-year contract on 31 August 2007, taking the opportunity to be more involved in the club's first team squad.
Despite not appearing for Leeds he was offered a new contract in September 2008, and moved to Barrow
of the Conference National
on loan in order to get more first team experience. Martin's time at Barrow was extended to a season-long loan and he became a fan favourite. He was declared man of the match
in Barrow's FA Cup
third round game against Premier League side Middlesbrough
, receiving praise from the club's co-manager Dave Bayliss. Injuries reduced Martin's appearances for Barrow towards the end of the season.
Despite suggestions that Martin could be involved in the Leeds first team for the 2009–10
season, he was loaned out again, joining Accrington Stanley
of League Two
until January 2010. He made his Football League
debut with Stanley in the opening game of the season in a 1–0 defeat to Rotherham United
, and fought for the number one jersey with fellow goalkeeper Ian Dunbavin
. In total Martin played 10 games for Accrington Stanley. On 27 October Leeds recalled Martin, with current number one goalkeeper Shane Higgs
out with a thigh injury and loan goalkeeper Frank Fielding
having returned to his parent club. Martin expected to act as backup for Casper Ankergren
. He was regularly on the bench while Higgs was out injured, but he was displaced against Oldham Athletic with David Martin having arrived on loan from Liverpool. However Martin returned to Leeds' bench against Huddersfield Town as Leeds already had 5 loan players in the squad and David Martin was therefore unable to be included.
Martin was part of the Leeds squad which got promotion to The Championship, although he was confined to being third choice keeper behind Shane Higgs
and Casper Ankergren
for the season, which meant he had to settle for a place on the substitutes bench if either keeper was unavailable. During the summer of 2010 Ankergren left the club and was replaced by Kasper Schmeichel
which meant that Martin continued to be only the 3rd choice goalkeeper.
On 4 August 2010 Martin rejoined Barrow on loan until January 2011. On 14 August Martin made his second debut for Barrow, against Histon and conceding 3 goals in a 3-1 loss. In October, after injuries to Kasper Schmeichel
and Shane Higgs
, Leeds contemplated recalling Martin to act as cover but decided to let him stay at Barrow to help his development. On 4 January 2011 Martin returned to Leeds after Barrow decided they couldn't afford to keep him. On 31 January 2011 Martin's contract was cancelled by mutual consent, allowing him to find a new club, after the loan signing of Manchester City goalkeeper David González Giraldo
.
. He was a regular upon signing, and helped Ayr to win promotion to the Scottish Football League First Division
via the play-offs in May 2011.
Although being offered a contract at Ayr for season 2011-2012, Martin declined the offer, stating he
wants to go back to full time football, and Ayr could not offer him this.
at youth football levels, most recently appearing for the under-21 team
. He made his under-21 debut against Northern Ireland
in November 2008 and, despite playing only nineteen minutes due to injury, retained his place as the team's first-choice goalkeeper for subsequent matches.
Martin continued to be Scotlands first choice Under 21 goalkeeper and played for them in the European Championship qualifiers playoffs.
With Ayr United
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
footballer who plays for Crewe Alexandra
Crewe Alexandra F.C.
Crewe Alexandra Football Club is an English professional football club based in Crewe, Cheshire. Nicknamed The Railwaymen due to the town's links with the rail industry, they currently play in Football League Two, the fourth tier of English football, and are based at the Alexandra Stadium.The club...
as a goalkeeper.
Martin is a former Scotland under-21
Scotland national under-21 football team
The Scotland national under-21 football team, controlled by the Scottish Football Association, is Scotland's national under 21 football team and is considered to be a feeder team for the Scotland national football team....
international
International football
International football generally refers to association football matches between representative national teams carried out under the regulation of the Fédération Internationale de Football Association...
, who is viewed as a bright prospect for the future.
Club career
Martin began his career with the youth systemYouth system
Youth system is a sporting terminology used to refer to a youth investment program within a particular team or league, which develops and nurtures young talent in farm teams, with the vision of using them in the first team if they show enough promise, and to fill up squads numbers in some teams...
of Scottish Premier League
Scottish Premier League
The Scottish Premier League , also known as the SPL , is a professional league competition for association football clubs in Scotland...
team Motherwell
Motherwell F.C.
Motherwell Football & Athletic Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Motherwell, North Lanarkshire. The club compete in the Scottish Premier League and are one of only seven teams to have remained in this league since it was founded in 1998...
, making the first team for the 2005–06 season. Martin was a substitute goalkeeper for Motherwell and never managed to make a League appearance for them before moving on.
Leeds United
RangersRangers F.C.
Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses...
made enquiries about signing Martin in 2007, before joining League One
Football League One
Football League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....
team Leeds United
Leeds United A.F.C.
Leeds United Association Football Club are an English professional association football club based in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, who play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system...
on an initial two-year contract on 31 August 2007, taking the opportunity to be more involved in the club's first team squad.
Despite not appearing for Leeds he was offered a new contract in September 2008, and moved to Barrow
Barrow A.F.C.
Barrow A.F.C. are an English football club founded in 1901 based in the town of Barrow-in-Furness in Cumbria. Following promotion at the end of the 2007–08 season, they currently play in the Conference National. The club spent over fifty years in the Football League between 1921 and 1972, and have...
of the Conference National
Conference National
Conference National is the top division of the Football Conference in England. It is the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system...
on loan in order to get more first team experience. Martin's time at Barrow was extended to a season-long loan and he became a fan favourite. He was declared man of the match
Man of the match
In sport, a Man of the Match or Player of the Game or Man of the Series award is given to the outstanding player, almost always the one who makes the most impact, in a particular match or series. The term was originally used more often in cricket before being adopted by other sports. This can be a...
in Barrow's FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
third round game against Premier League side Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough F.C.
Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889...
, receiving praise from the club's co-manager Dave Bayliss. Injuries reduced Martin's appearances for Barrow towards the end of the season.
Despite suggestions that Martin could be involved in the Leeds first team for the 2009–10
2009–10 in English football
The 2009–10 season was the 130th season of competitive football in England.The season began on 8 August 2009 for the Championship, League One and League Two and 15 August 2009 for the Premier League...
season, he was loaned out again, joining Accrington Stanley
Accrington Stanley F.C.
Accrington Stanley is an English association football club from Accrington in Lancashire, in the North West of England, who play in Football League Two, the fourth-highest division in the English football league system....
of League Two
Football League Two
Football League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....
until January 2010. He made his Football League
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
debut with Stanley in the opening game of the season in a 1–0 defeat to Rotherham United
Rotherham United F.C.
Rotherham United Football Club are an English professional football club based in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, who compete in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. The club's colours have traditionally been red and white, although these have evolved through history...
, and fought for the number one jersey with fellow goalkeeper Ian Dunbavin
Ian Dunbavin
Ian Stuart Dunbavin is an English professional footballer who currently plays as a goalkeeper for Accrington Stanley F.C.....
. In total Martin played 10 games for Accrington Stanley. On 27 October Leeds recalled Martin, with current number one goalkeeper Shane Higgs
Shane Higgs
Shane Peter Higgs is an English footballer who is currently without a club after being released by Leeds United in the summer of 2011.-Early career:...
out with a thigh injury and loan goalkeeper Frank Fielding
Frank Fielding
Francis David "Frank" Fielding is an English footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Derby County.-Club career:Born in Blackburn Lancashire, Fielding is a product of Blackburn Rovers Academy. He joined League Two side Wycombe Wanderers on 28 September 2007 on a three-month loan deal alongside...
having returned to his parent club. Martin expected to act as backup for Casper Ankergren
Casper Ankergren
Casper Ankergren is a Danish professional football goalkeeper currently playing for English team Brighton & Hove Albion...
. He was regularly on the bench while Higgs was out injured, but he was displaced against Oldham Athletic with David Martin having arrived on loan from Liverpool. However Martin returned to Leeds' bench against Huddersfield Town as Leeds already had 5 loan players in the squad and David Martin was therefore unable to be included.
Martin was part of the Leeds squad which got promotion to The Championship, although he was confined to being third choice keeper behind Shane Higgs
Shane Higgs
Shane Peter Higgs is an English footballer who is currently without a club after being released by Leeds United in the summer of 2011.-Early career:...
and Casper Ankergren
Casper Ankergren
Casper Ankergren is a Danish professional football goalkeeper currently playing for English team Brighton & Hove Albion...
for the season, which meant he had to settle for a place on the substitutes bench if either keeper was unavailable. During the summer of 2010 Ankergren left the club and was replaced by Kasper Schmeichel
Kasper Schmeichel
Kasper Peter Schmeichel is a Danish professional football goalkeeper, and son of Peter Schmeichel. He plays in the Npower Championship for Leicester City. He played 17 games for the Denmark under-21 national team...
which meant that Martin continued to be only the 3rd choice goalkeeper.
On 4 August 2010 Martin rejoined Barrow on loan until January 2011. On 14 August Martin made his second debut for Barrow, against Histon and conceding 3 goals in a 3-1 loss. In October, after injuries to Kasper Schmeichel
Kasper Schmeichel
Kasper Peter Schmeichel is a Danish professional football goalkeeper, and son of Peter Schmeichel. He plays in the Npower Championship for Leicester City. He played 17 games for the Denmark under-21 national team...
and Shane Higgs
Shane Higgs
Shane Peter Higgs is an English footballer who is currently without a club after being released by Leeds United in the summer of 2011.-Early career:...
, Leeds contemplated recalling Martin to act as cover but decided to let him stay at Barrow to help his development. On 4 January 2011 Martin returned to Leeds after Barrow decided they couldn't afford to keep him. On 31 January 2011 Martin's contract was cancelled by mutual consent, allowing him to find a new club, after the loan signing of Manchester City goalkeeper David González Giraldo
David González Giraldo
David González Giraldo is a Colombian football goalkeeper who plays for Scottish Premier League club Aberdeen on loan from Manchester City.-Club career:...
.
Ayr United
After his release from Leeds, Martin moved back to Scotland to sign for part-timers Ayr UnitedAyr United F.C.
Ayr United Football Club are a Scottish association football team based in Ayr, South Ayrshire, that plays in the First Division of the Scottish Football League. Formed in 1910 after the merger of former clubs Ayr Parkhouse F.C. and Ayr F.C...
. He was a regular upon signing, and helped Ayr to win promotion to the Scottish Football League First Division
Scottish Football League First Division
The Irn-Bru Scottish Football League First Division Championship is the highest division of the Scottish Football League and the second highest in the Scottish football league system....
via the play-offs in May 2011.
Although being offered a contract at Ayr for season 2011-2012, Martin declined the offer, stating he
wants to go back to full time football, and Ayr could not offer him this.
Crewe Alexandra
A free agent, Martin signed a one-year deal with Crewe after impressive performances for the club during pre-season.International career
Martin has played for ScotlandScotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
at youth football levels, most recently appearing for the under-21 team
Scotland national under-21 football team
The Scotland national under-21 football team, controlled by the Scottish Football Association, is Scotland's national under 21 football team and is considered to be a feeder team for the Scotland national football team....
. He made his under-21 debut against Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland national under-21 football team
The Northern Ireland national under-21 football team is the national under-21 football team of Northern Ireland.-Former coaches:* To 20 August 2008.-2008/09 Matches:-Current squad:Squad to play San Marino.-Other Recent Call-Ups:...
in November 2008 and, despite playing only nineteen minutes due to injury, retained his place as the team's first-choice goalkeeper for subsequent matches.
Martin continued to be Scotlands first choice Under 21 goalkeeper and played for them in the European Championship qualifiers playoffs.
Honours
With Leeds United- Coca-Cola League One Runners Up (Promoted):2009-2010
With Ayr United
- Scottish Second Division Runners Up (Promoted):2010-112010–11 Scottish Second DivisionThe 2010–11 Scottish Second Division was the sixteenth season of the Second Division in its current format of ten teams.-First & Second Divisions:Relegated from First Division to Second Division*Ayr United*Airdrie United...
Career statistics
| Club | Season | Division | League | Scottish Cup Scottish Cup The Scottish Football Association Challenge Cup,, commonly known as the Scottish Cup or the William Hill Scottish Cup for sponsorship purposes, is the main national cup competition in Scottish football. It is a knockout cup competition run by and named after the Scottish Football Association.The... /FA Cup FA Cup The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's... |
Scottish League Cup Scottish League Cup The Scottish League Cup is a football competition open to all Scottish Football League and Scottish Premier League clubs. At present it is also known as the Scottish Communities League Cup owing to the sponsorship deal in place with the Scottish Government. In the past it has been sponsored by... /League Cup Football League Cup The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis... |
Other | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Games | Goals | Games | Goals | Games | Goals | Games | Goals | Games | Goals | |||
| 2008-09 | → Barrow Barrow A.F.C. Barrow A.F.C. are an English football club founded in 1901 based in the town of Barrow-in-Furness in Cumbria. Following promotion at the end of the 2007–08 season, they currently play in the Conference National. The club spent over fifty years in the Football League between 1921 and 1972, and have... (loan) |
Conference National Conference National Conference National is the top division of the Football Conference in England. It is the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system... |
20 | 0 | 3 | 0 | - | - | 6 | 0 | 29 | 0 |
| 2009–10 | → Accrington Stanley Accrington Stanley F.C. Accrington Stanley is an English association football club from Accrington in Lancashire, in the North West of England, who play in Football League Two, the fourth-highest division in the English football league system.... (loan) |
League Two Football League Two Football League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system.... |
7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 10 | 0 |
| 2010-11 | → Barrow Barrow A.F.C. Barrow A.F.C. are an English football club founded in 1901 based in the town of Barrow-in-Furness in Cumbria. Following promotion at the end of the 2007–08 season, they currently play in the Conference National. The club spent over fifty years in the Football League between 1921 and 1972, and have... (loan) |
Conference National Conference National Conference National is the top division of the Football Conference in England. It is the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system... |
14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | - | 0 | 0 | 14 | 0 |
| Ayr United Ayr United F.C. Ayr United Football Club are a Scottish association football team based in Ayr, South Ayrshire, that plays in the First Division of the Scottish Football League. Formed in 1910 after the merger of former clubs Ayr Parkhouse F.C. and Ayr F.C... |
Division Two | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 19 | 0 | |
| Total | 56 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 72 | 0 | ||