Alan Niven (footballer)

Alan Niven (4 July 1955 – 5 March 1999) was an Australian international footballer who played as a defender.

Alan Niven
Personal information
Date of birth 4 July 1955
Date of death 5 March 1999 (aged 43)
Playing position(s) Defender
Youth career
Wolverhampton Wanderers
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1975 Nuneaton Borough 1 (0)
1977–1988 Brisbane Lions 252 (11)
Mt Gravatt
Rochedale Rovers
St Helens
National team
1981–1983 Australia 8 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Niven was born in England and played youth football for Wolverhampton Wanderers. After representing Nuneaton Borough, he moved to Australia, where he made over 250 appearances for Brisbane Lions in the National Soccer League.

He made eight appearances for the Australian national team.

Early life

Niven was born in England.[1]

Club career

Niven played youth football for Wolverhampton Wanderers.[2][3]

In 1975, Niven made three appearances for Nuneaton Borough – one in the Southern League Premier Division and two in the Midland Floodlit Cup.[4]

From 1977 to 1988, Niven represented Brisbane Lions in the Australian National Soccer League, making 252 appearances and scoring 11 goals.[1]

International career

Niven made his international debut for Australia in 1981 against Fiji. He went on to make eight 'A' international appearances for the side.[3]

Style of play

Niven played as a defender.[3]

Gerry O'Hara, who played with Niven at Wolverhampton, described Niven as a left back with a similar playing style to Scott Golbourne.[2]

After football

Niven went on to work for the Queensland Government at the Queensland Water Resources Commission and the Department of Natural Resources.[5]

Death

Niven died on 5 March 1999, aged 43, after suffering a heart attack while playing soccer.[5][6]

Career statistics

International
Appearances and goals by national team and year[3]
National teamYearAppsGoals
Australia 198120
198240
198320
Total80

Honours

International
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See also

References
  1. "Alan Niven". OzFootball.net. Retrieved 2 June 2020.
  2. "Dressing room dressing-down haunts Gerry". WolvesHeros.com. 6 October 2014. Retrieved 2 June 2020.
  3. "Niven, Alan". OzFootball.net. Retrieved 2 June 2020.
  4. "Nuneaton Borough 1970-1979 – Part 2" (PDF). FromTownToTown.org.uk. Retrieved 2 June 2020.
  5. "Rest in Peace" (PDF). Warty Sorcerers - Auldies and Baldies. March 1999. p. 6. Retrieved 2 June 2020.
  6. Howe, Andrew (2018). Encyclopedia of Socceroos: Every national team player. Fair Play Publishing. p. 198. ISBN 978-0-648-13330-8.
  7. "Socceroo Internationals for 1982". OzFootball.net. Retrieved 2 June 2020.
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