Career
While playing as an apprentice at his hometown club Preston North End, Alston was offered a chance by South Coast United in Australia and quickly settled in the country. His performances in the 1974 World Cup saw Alston receive offers from a number of clubs in Germany, including Hertha Berlin and Eintracht Frankfurt, but instead decided to join Luton Town in The Football League. However Alston spent just one season at Kenilworth Road before manager Jimmy Andrews paid £20,000 to take him to Ninian Park.
Prior to the Australia side meeting West Germany in the group stage, German manager Helmut Schoen stated In total he represented Australia between 1969 and 1977 in 43 official matches, scoring 7 goals.
Alston represented New South Wales in 1974 as a player and led the selection of the Illawarra region as coach in 2004.