Born in Horden he came to Pools at the start of the 1985 / 6 season, signing from Halifax Town. He replaced Roy Hogan. In his 4th game he broke his leg, allowing Roy to get back into the team. He returned after recovering but only managed 12 games in total. When I hear the term 'tough tackling' I always think of him. He later became John Bird's assistant. R.I.P. Alan.

R.I.P. to a tough tough footballer and gentleman.

How old was he, bit of a surprise that.

He was only 69

A proper player, tough tackler. I was at the home game against Orient where he broke his leg, probably the most brutal game I've ever seen. Three sendings off I seem to remember.

to all our older contributors as my father in law used to say take one step forward as another one goes. Does anyone know who is the oldest surviving former Pools player?

I was there also bobby. Am I correct in remembering he broke it in the centre circle in the second half in a blood thirsty challenge

I think so, can remember it been a really nasty challenge.

Another ex player has also passed away today. Simon Lowe. Played for us in the 1986 / 7 season. Coincidentally, as with Alan Little, we also signed him from Halifax Town. Only 61 years old. R.I.P. Simon.

It was when Frank Clark (ex-Newcastle full back) was managing them. Orient were horrible to play against in his years in charge, cheats as well as dirty cloggers. I absolutely hated them.

R.I.P. Mr. Little.

Alan lived in the same street as me when younger with his brother's and parents RIP.

Was it the game Bob Newton got sent off for a rude gesture to one of there black players.
About September time.
Looking good for Promotion that season.
Then the big freeze kicked in February and we went into free fall.

Also serious crowd trouble at Macclesfield in FA Cup were about a 1000 Poolies turned up.

That was the one

I was at that game too, got a bit full on when the pools supporters went into the Macclesfield stand to get out the rain. Amazing to think how stuff like that was just part and parcel of the game, I grew up with all that and it just seemed to be part of the experience. It would be interesting to see how modern media would react to what happened at that game, at the time everyone seemed to just see it as a daft day out.
Only recently realised that it was John Askey who scored for Macc that day.

RIP Alan Little

Quite saddened and taken aback by this one, I thought people were living longer?

Alan Little gave me a lift back from the ground in the early hours, after I had blagged my way into getting a lift on the team coach after a night game at Mansfield in April 1986. John Bird didn't want to let me on the coach, but Brian Honour managed to persuade him to let me on, a couple of decent Horden lads, who'd have thought it eh?

What a player, what a predominantly lower league career. The term hard man was coined for players like Alan Little. Unfortunately hard men are marked men, and he was targeted in that Orient game in 1985, can't remember if the player who did him got sent off, probably, as I remember it was a nasty tackle, in a brutal game, even by 1980s standards. Little getting stretchered off effectively won them the game, their plan had worked, you live by the sword and die by it as they say. It set the scene for a decade of edgy games between the two clubs, there were not many London clubs in Div 4 in those days, and these fixtures often became classic Gritty down to earth Northern lads v Flash London Geezer clashes.

Amazingly, whilst only playing 12 games for Pools, played against us a whopping 16 times, the first of which was in the Aston Villa side that beat us 6-1 at Villa Park in 1974.

Played in the Villa side alongside his brother, that won the FA Youth Cup in 1972, beating Liverpool in a two legged final.

Tasted promotion with Southend ,Barnsley, Doncaster and as manager of York via a play off win at Wembley.

A serial winner, but alas like so many before him, who generally arrive with their best years behind them, not at Pools.

I wonder if Pools put anything on the OS, Villa and Southend already quick off the mark, no doubt his other clubs will follow, its all the little things as they say, that's why I no longer support Pools financially.

A legend, a warrior and by all accounts a very decent human being.

May he rest in peace.

Cracking post Horden.

I was there and I clearly remember hearing a loud cracking sound when he was hit.

R.I.P.

true, there seemed to be mayhem at every game back then. personally i did not have any trouble that day as a got a freebie via a pro who knew somebody at macclesfield. some clubs used to throw them around like confetti in those days apart from tranmere where it was strictly one per person for away players and officials.

glad i missed that game as i have heard that sickening crack before and never wanted to hear it again.

Very honest and respectful Eulogy. Thank you for composing it.
R I P Alan.
Some squad we are amassing up there.