35 Facts About Adrian Alston

Adrian Alston was born on 6 February 1949 and is a former professional soccer player.

Adrian Alston's performances attracted attention from around Europe and he eventually signed for English First Division side Luton Town after turning down several offers from clubs in Germany.

Adrian Alston later received a lucrative offer to play in the North American Soccer League to join the newly formed Tampa Bay Rowdies, where he spent two seasons before retiring after suffering a serious knee ligament injury.

Adrian Alston returned to Australia to work as a manager, taking charge of the Wollongong Wolves in 1983 but left the club after a single season.

Adrian Alston spent five years with Corrimal Rangers before being appointed manager of Port Kembla where he enjoyed considerable success, leading the club to 26 trophies between 1991 and 2004.

Adrian Alston later returned to Wollongong for a second spell before managing Bulli between 2006 and 2007.

Adrian Alston had been playing with Preston for one year and was convinced to move after being told that the "heavy grounds" in England did not suit his playing style.

Adrian Alston was due to be married at the time but convinced his fiancee Doreen to make the move with him.

Adrian Alston later moved to St George where he won a league title and was offered a contract in Japan, along with teammate Attila Abonyi, after impressing in an Asian tournament that St George won but turned down the deal.

Adrian Alston returned to his former club South Coast United, then known as Safeway United following a takeover by a motor company, in 1973 for a fee of $5,000.

Adrian Alston agreed a deal with Hertha that included a $40,000 signing-on fee and a temporary apartment until he was able to secure his own living accommodation and a fee was agreed between Hertha and Safeway United.

The club had achieved promotion to the First Division, the highest tier in English football, the previous season and Adrian Alston decided to join the Hatters in order to help his wife settle and the lack of a language barrier.

However, Adrian Alston spent just one season at Kenilworth Road as the club began to experience financial difficulties resulting in Adrian Alston not being paid at times.

Adrian Alston later described his decision to reject offers from Germany and return to England with Luton as "the biggest mistake I ever made".

Adrian Alston later stated that he enjoyed playing for Cardiff more than any club in his career and had only chosen to accept Tampa's offer due to the money offered to him.

Adrian Alston joined the Rowdies after being spotted by the team's manager Eddie Firmani.

On his debut for the Rowdies in the NASL, Adrian Alston was unveiled to the club's fans by arriving in a helicopter.

Adrian Alston helped the club to a third-placed finish in his debut season, eventually being eliminated in the post season play-offs by the New York Cosmos.

Adrian Alston was initially told that he had suffered strained knee ligaments but after fourteen weeks with little progress he became concerned and hired a doctor in Harley Street in London.

Adrian Alston remained out for the remainder of the season his contract was eventually paid off after his green card expired.

Adrian Alston later commented that as soon as he began playing for Australia, he was "no longer English".

Adrian Alston won two further caps in 1969, playing in two out of three matches of a tour of Rhodesia against the national side in November, before scoring his first international goal the following year in a friendly match against Greece.

Adrian Alston was instrumental in Australia's progress during the qualifying rounds for the 1974 FIFA World Cup, scoring three goals in the group stage and once during the final play-off match against Iran as Australia qualified for the World Cup for the first time in their history.

Adrian Alston was named to the squad for the tournament in West Germany by manager Rale Rasic.

Adrian Alston lost his place in the side soon after to John Kosmina but did return to play in the qualifying stages of the 1978 World Cup as Australia failed to qualify after a series of disappointing results and he was never called up for the side again.

Adrian Alston represented New South Wales in 1974 as a player and led the selection of the Illawarra region as coach in 2004.

Adrian Alston soon spent the majority of his earnings made during his football career and moved back to England to set up a hotel with his brother Alec in Blackpool.

However, after just four months, Adrian Alston grew unsettled and decided to return to Australia, eventually moving to Illawarra.

Adrian Alston signed a three-year contract with the Wollongong City in 1983.

Wollongong finished second last in National Soccer League and Adrian Alston left the club.

Adrian Alston left the Rangers at the end of the 1989 season after six seasons in charge.

Adrian Alston spent 13 seasons with Port Kembla; during that period the club won 26 trophies including five league titles, seven Grand Finals, and two Bert Bampton Cups.

Adrian Alston left Port Kembla at the end of 2004 after securing his fourth League and Cup double.

The side finished mid-table but, frustrated by financial and off the field issues, Adrian Alston walked out of the club after just one season.

In 2006, Adrian Alston joined Illawarra Premier League club Bulli; during his six seasons with the club, they finished 2nd on three occasions and featured in three Grand Finals.