| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Adrian Alston[1] | ||
| Date of birth | 6 February 1949 | ||
| Place of birth | Preston, England | ||
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)[2] | ||
| Position(s) | Striker | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 1967–1968 | Preston North End | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1967–1968 | Fleetwood | 6 | (3) |
| 1968–1969 | South Coast United | ||
| 1970–1972 | St George | ||
| 1974 | Safeway United | 13 | (4) |
| 1974–1975 | Luton Town | 29 | (8) |
| 1975–1976 | Cardiff City | 48 | (16) |
| 1977–1978 | Tampa Bay Rowdies | 19 | (8) |
| 1977 | Canberra City | 10 | (3) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 1969–1977 | Australia | 37 | (6) |
| Managerial career | |||
| 1983 | Wollongong City | ||
| 1984–1989 | Corrimal Rangers | ||
| 1991–2004 | Port Kembla | ||
| 2004–2005 | Wollongong Wolves | ||
| 2006–2007 | Bulli | ||
|
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 12 May 2007 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 12 May 2007 | |||
Adrian Alston (born 6 February 1949) is a former professional soccer player. Born in England, he began his career as a youth player with Preston North End and briefly at non-league Fleetwood before moving to Australia. In Australia, he played for South Coast United, then St George before returning to South Coast United (now known as Safeway United) and was called up to the Australia national soccer team after two years in the country.
Nicknamed "Noddy" for his heading ability, he made his international debut in 1969 and was instrumental in helping the side qualify for the 1974 FIFA World Cup, the first time the nation had ever reached the finals tournament, where he featured in all three group matches. His performances attracted attention from around Europe and he eventually signed for English First Division side Luton Town after turning down several offers from clubs in Germany. After one season, he joined Cardiff City where he spent two seasons and helped the club win the Welsh Cup in 1976. He later received a lucrative offer to play in the North American Soccer League (NASL) to join the newly formed Tampa Bay Rowdies, where he spent two seasons before retiring after suffering a serious knee ligament injury.
He returned to Australia to work as a manager, taking charge of the Wollongong Wolves in 1983 but left the club after a single season. He spent five years with Corrimal Rangers before being appointed manager of Port Kembla where he enjoyed considerable success, leading the club to 26 trophies between 1991 and 2004. He later returned to Wollongong for a second spell before managing Bulli between 2006 and 2007. His brother Alex was also a professional footballer.