*Indicates unconfirmed information. Figures in brackets after English team names indicate all appearances made and goals scored in competitive matches for Football League clubs from 1888 onwards. For Scottish League clubs the figures show details of all competitive appearances and goals scored from 1946/47 onwards.
Alen Scotting
Appearances: 14 Goals: 2
Date / Year of birth: 22nd April 1966
Position: Midfielder / Left-back
Season of first appearance: 1989/90
Season of last appearance: 1989/90
Also played for: Arsenal (0), Charlton Athletic (0), Gillingham (3,0), Bromley, Maidstone United, Fisher Athletic, Erith & Belvedere and Phoenix Sports
5' 10" tall Dartford-born player who was on Arsenal's books for several years as a schoolboy before joining Charlton. Alen first appeared for the Addicks' 'Colts' side during the 1981/82 campaign as a non-contract player. During 1982/83 Alen continued to play for the Colts and he also appeared in Charlton's midweek side before moving on to Gillingham towards the end of the season.
Alen made his first appearance in the Gills' Youth team in April 1983 and in February 1984 he signed professional forms for the club. On 23.4.84, the day after his 18th birthday, Alen made his first team debut at left-back as Gillingham went down 2-1 to Bristol Rovers at Priestfield. He played twice more before the end of the 1983/84 season. In the summer of 1984 Alen was released by Gillingham and he joined Bromley for the 1984/85 campaign.
He went on to spend over four years at Bromley and scouts from Northampton and Bournemouth watched Alen before he finally moved on in November 1988.
Bromley sold him to Maidstone for £3,000 but Alen only made nine appearances for the Stones who were on their way to the Conference title at the time. In February 1989 he was sold back to Bromley for the same fee of £3,000.
Towards the end of 1989 Bromley loaned Alen to Fisher and shortly after he returned to Hayes Lane he signed for Margate. The club's manager Trevor Ford had previously been in charge at Bromley during Alen's time there.
On 13.1.90 Alen made his first appearance for Margate in a 1-1 draw with Baldock at Hartsdown Park. The Thanet Times said that he had an "encouraging debut" in midfield. The Thanet Extra agreed and said that Alen's "presence lifted the whole side" whilst praising his "tenacity and creativity". A week later, on 20.1.90, Alen scored his first goal with a confident lob in a 5-0 thrashing of Erith & Belvedere at Hartsdown. He got another in a 2-1 home win over Bashley on 17.2.90, scoring with a direct free-kick from way out on the left wing. The Extra said that the goal was "somewhat bizarre".
Alen continued to play regularly, usually in midfield but sometimes at left-back, until Margate's 'double-header' weekend trip for games at Witney and Yate on 7.4.90 and 8.4.90 respectively. He played in both matches but after was sacked by the club for disciplinary reasons immediately after the trip. Alen had been involved in an escapade in which the team coach made an unscheduled trip to Bristol on the night before the Sunday game at Yate. The same incident also led to Gary Moss being dismissed whilst Richard Hemmings, John Love and Carl Scriven were all fined. Alen had made 14 appearances and scored twice before his sudden departure.
He returned to Bromley for a third spell in the summer of 1990 and then linked up with Erith & Belvedere in April 1991. Alen also spent the 1991/92 season with the Deres.
He later played for North Kent club Phoenix Sports in the Kent County League before rejoining Erith & Belvedere in March 1996.
His first name was usually incorrectly listed as being 'Alan' and during 1987/88 a player profile in a Bromley programme revealed that Alen's favourite television programme was 'Only Fools and Horses' and his favourite music artist was Luther Vandross.
|
SEASON (CLUB) |
FULL (MAX) |
SUB |
GLS |
FAC |
FAT |
SLC |
KSC |
||
|
1989/90 (MFC) |
14 (59) |
0 |
2 |
SOUTHERN LEAGUE SOUTHERN DIV. (16TH OF 22) |
2QR |
2QR |
3R |
1R |