Alan Pouton

Football player infobox


playername = Alan Pouton
fullname = Alan Pouton
dateofbirth = Birth date and age|1977|2|1|df=y
cityofbirth = Newcastle upon Tyne
countryofbirth = England
height = height|ft=6|in=0
currentclub = Dover Athletic
position = Central midfielder
youthyears =
youthclubs =
years = 1995–1996
1996–1999
1999
1999–2004
2004–2007
2004
2007–
clubs = Oxford United
York City
→ Grimsby Town (loan)
Grimsby Town
Gillingham
→ Hartlepool United (loan)
Dover Athletic
caps(goals) = 000 0(0)
090 0(7)
004 0(0)
116 (12)
062 0(3)
005 0(0)
029 0(4)
nationalyears =
nationalteam =
nationalcaps(goals) =
pcupdate = 4/10/2008

Alan Pouton (born 1 February 1977 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England) is an English professional footballer currently playing for Dover Athletic.

Pouton came through the youth ranks at Oxford United, but was never presented with an opportunity to play during his time there and was snapped up on a free transfer by York City in time for the 1996/97 season. His debut came early on in the season as a substitute in the 2-1 home defeat against Bournemouth. He produced some good performances in the reserves and was eventually rewarded with his first start in the 3-0 home win against Hartlepool. Pouton went on to make 25 appearances that season, three of which were in the FA Cup. His first career goal was an 80th minute consolation goal in the 4-2 home defeat to Brentford.

The following season saw Pouton firmly establish himself as a tough tackling midfielder, although his over-exuberance led to six bookings that season (to add to the six he had received the previous season). The highlight of the 1997/98 season for Pouton undoubtedly came at Roots Hall in a 4-4 draw with Southend in which he scored twice. Pouton only scored once the following season, but he managed to pick up nine bookings as he started to pick up a reputation as a tough tackler.

At the beginning of the 1999/2000 season, Grimsby made an approach to take Pouton on loan. Despite not starting a game during his month long loan spell, Pouton impressed sufficiently in his six substitute appearances to prompt Grimsby to pay £150,000 to secure him on a permanent basis. Upon signing, Pouton became a first team regular and went on to play in the majority of Grimsby's games that season. Surprisingly, Pouton only picked up two bookings that season in 41 games. His first goal for Grimsby (and only goal of the season) was an equaliser at Maine Road in a 1-1 draw with Man City.

Over the next three seasons, Pouton was booked 18 times and sent off twice. Despite his occasional lapses in discipline, Pouton was generally a success at Grimsby, and although he was not noted for his goals, he still managed eleven goals including a hat-trick in the 6-2 home win against Wimbledon (although two of those goals were penalties).

In the 2002/03 season, Grimsby were relegated to League One after finishing bottom of the Championship. Injury prevented Pouton from playing until December in League One and he only played five times before Gillingham paid £30,000 to bring him back into the Championship. Pouton did reasonably well in a season in which Gillingham survived relegation by the skin of their teeth - staying up by one goal whilst Walsall were relegated instead.

The next season was poor by Pouton's standards. He started the season on loan to Hartlepool for whom he played six times and scored in the 3-3 draw with Hull in the Football League Trophy (Hartlepool won 4-1 on penalties). He returned to Gillingham, but only played a handful of games (twelve) as Gillingham were finally relegated.

The 2005/06 season was better for Pouton as he re-established himself in midfield. He played in the opening day victory over Colchester and were it not for a succession of injuries perhaps would have played in more than the 24 games in which he appeared. Injuries continued to bedevil him in the following season, and on 31 January 2007 it was announced that he had opted to retire. [ [http://www.sportnetwork.net/main/s538/st111132.htm News story from GFC Online website] ] Pouton came out of retirement in June 2007 to sign on a semi-professional basis for Dover Athletic, however injuries have again restricted him in claiming a regular first team place.

References

External links

*soccerbase|id=9583|name=Alan Pouton