Introduction
Alan Walsh (born 9 December 1956 in Hartlepool) is an English retired footballer, who played as a winger/striker. He spent much of his career with Bristol City and Darlington, where he was the club's record goalscorer. He won two Süper Lig championships in Turkey with Beşiktaş.
Early and personal life
Walsh was born to June (née Stockton) and John Walsh. He has one younger sister, Terry. His son, Phil is also a footballer who has played in the Football League for Dagenham & Redbridge and Barnet. His eldest daughter, Kayte, married actor Kelsey Grammer in February 2011.
Career
Walsh started his career in 1977 with Middlesbrough, but moved to Darlington the following year. He spent six years at the club, where he became the club's record goalscorer, with 87 goals in the league and 100 overall.
In 1984 he joined Bristol City, where he amassed 218 league appearances, winning their player of the season award in 1987-88. During his time at Bristol City he became renowned as an early exponent of the stepover football skill, colloquially known as the ‘Walshy shuffle’, later to be popularised by players such as Cristiano Ronaldo. In 1986 Walsh won a winners medal as part of the Bristol City team that beat Bolton Wanderers 3-0 in the Football League Trophy final.
He moved to Turkish club Beşiktaş in 1989, where he won two Süper Lig titles, before finishing his professional career back in the English Football League with short spells at Walsall, Huddersfield Town, Shrewsbury Town and Cardiff City.
After retiring from playing he rejoined Bristol City as a coach and stayed with the club for 11 years in a variety of coaching roles. On 19 October 2011 he left his job as the development coach with Bristol City. He is currently youth-team coach at Bristol Rovers
Honours
- Bristol City
Football League Trophy (Freight Rover Trophy): Winner 1986
- Beşiktaş
- Süper Lig: 2
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- 1989-90, 1990-91
- Turkish Cup: 1
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- 1989-90
- Turkish Super Cup: 1
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- 1989
- "Frasier star Kelsey Grammer shows support for Bristol Rovers with appearance in crowd at Memorial Stadium". Bristol Post. Retrieved 2014-04-22.