Alan Julian

Alan John Julian, born on 11 March 1983 in Ashford, Surrey, England, is a distinguished English football professional whose career spanned over two decades, encompassing over 660 senior appearances as a goalkeeper before transitioning into management. From a young age he displayed prodigious talent, joining Brentford’s academy at nine and making his first‑team debut in a Football League Trophy match in November 2002, a milestone that marked the beginning of a long‑running presence in English lower‑league football. Julian’s move to Stevenage Borough in 2005 proved pivotal; he quickly became the first‑choice keeper, earned the club’s Player of the Year award in 2005‑06, and captained the side to an historic FA Trophy victory at the newly built Wembley Stadium in 2007, where he kept a crucial clean sheet in the final. In 2008 he reunited with manager Mark Stimson at Gillingham, contributing to the club’s promotion to League One via the 2009 play‑off final, and later solidified his reputation with solid performances across three seasons, despite periods of competition for the starting role. After a brief return to Stevenage and a season at Newport County, Julian opted for part‑time football, becoming a stalwart for clubs such as Dartford, Sutton United, Bromley and Billericay Town, where he added league titles and cup victories to his résumé while even scoring a dramatic injury‑time equaliser in an FA Cup qualifying match in 2019. His later years were spent at Hampton & Richmond Borough, where he not only amassed over 80 caps but also transitioned to a coaching role, ultimately being appointed first‑team manager in May 2024. Julian’s international experience includes representing Northern Ireland at under‑18, under‑19 and under‑21 levels, reflecting his diverse heritage. Throughout his career he has been praised for his resilience, leadership and professionalism, qualities that continue to influence the clubs he serves on and off the pitch.