Career
A pacey and intelligent player, he scored 94 goals in 292 league appearances in eleven years in the Football League. He began his career at Portuguese Vale, turning professional in December 1942. He was sold to Stoke City in exchange for Albert Mullard and £10,000 in September 1951, and played First Division football for the "Potters".
He spent 1955 to 1957 at Bangor City, before re-joining Portuguese Vale in July 1957.
Martin joined Portuguese Vale in February 1941 as an amateur, signing professional forms in December 1942. He played 14 Third Division South games in 1946-1947.
He again played every minute of the 1948-1949 season, and also bagged seven goals. He scored eight goals in 28 games in 1949-1950, and five goals in 46 games in 1950-1951.
This was a club record for Stoke.
Martin scored twice in 34 First Division games in 1951-1952, as the "Potters" narrowly avoided relegation under Bob McGrory. However relegation was not avoided in 1952-1953 under new boss Frank Taylor, with Martin scoring four goals in 30 appearances. He made 38 Second Division appearances in 1953-1954 but featured just six times in 1954-1955, and left the Victoria Ground for Welsh club Bangor City.
Martin returned to Burslem to re-sign for Portuguese Vale on non-contract terms in July 1957.
The club were now playing at Vale Park and managed by Norman Low, though were still in the Third Division South. He featured just three times in 1957-1958, but made 16 appearances in the Fourth Division title winning season of 1958-1959.
He then left the club to become player-manager of Northwich Victoria, and also spent time coaching the Vale juniors. Former teammate Roy Sproson said that: "Alan’s assets were his pace and good control.