Adrian Alston 1977, 1978; 1978 (id)

Adrian Alston, despite being born February 6th, 1949 in Preston, England this hazel-eyed goal scorer played six years in Australia for St. George of Budapest, South Coast United and Safeway United where he scored approximately a goal every other game. Naturalized whilst "Down Under" he earned a total of 40 caps with the Australian National Team and was a stellar perormer with the "Socceroos" in the World Cup Fianls in 1974 in West Germany. Despite the Aussies not winning a single match, Adrian was "Man of the Match" in games against World Champions West Germany and super-tough East Germany.

He made the move to first division side Luton Town in August of 1974, where he stayed until transfered to Cardiff City in October of 1975. He had scored seven times in 21 appearances for Luton during the 1974-75 season, including a string of five straight games.

In 1977, Coach Eddie Firmani had eyed this centre-forward for quite sometime, and felt the time was right for the Rowdies to purchase him full-time. He made 17 appearances that year with a total of 7 goals and 3 assists, before being released to aid Australia's quest for World Cup qualifying, in which he was instrumental in their third place finish in an eight team Asia-Oceania Division. He also found time to appear for Canberra City back in Australia.

He was a member of S.W.A.R.M. - that being (S)methurst, (W)egerle, (A)lston, (R)obb and (M)arsh, the exciting Rowdies forward line.

The following season 1978, Adrian was back with the Rowdies but only appeared in 2 games. He also made 4 appearances during the 1978 indoor season scoring 3 goals and 3 assists.

He would finish his career back in Australia with Wollongong Wolves in the 1984-85 season.

After his playing days, Adrian turned his hand to coaching, Port Kembla (1997-2004), Wollongong City (2004-2005) Bulli FC (2006-present).

Perhaps inevitably, Alston's wanderings took him back to the land that had given him the chance to play on football's greatest stage. "I went back to Preston for six months," Adrian recalls. "One morning, my son was rubbing the window with his pyjamas on a frosty morning, and said ‘Dad, what are we doing here?' And I said, ‘You know what, son, you're right!'. So we settled back here, and started again."