- Birthdate: 29 November 1962
- Birthplace: Broxburn, Scotland
- Other clubs: Blackburn United (1979-80),(Hibernian (1980-83), Falkirk (1983-86), Dundee United (1987-88), Shrewsbury Town (1988-89), Mazda (1989-90), St. Mirren (1990-92) Portadown (1992-93), East Fife (1993-95)
- Signed from: Falkirk
- Signed for LFC: £75,000, 24.11.1986
- Liverpool debut: 20.12.1986
- Last appearance: 28.02.1987
- Contract expiry: 28.08.1987
- Win ratio: 50% W:2 D:1 L:1
- League games / goals / assists: 2 / 0 / 0
- Total games / goals / assists: 4 / 0 / 0
Player Profile
Irvine's longest spell at one club was at Falkirk in the Scottish top division from 1982-1987 where he made 110 league appearances and scored 15 goals. This tall centre-forward hardly got a look-in at Liverpool as too many good strikers were above him in the pecking order. The odds were always stacked against him and he was never picked to start a Liverpool game. All four of Irvine's appearances came as a substitute during the 1986/87 season. He was the victim of one of the most cruel practical jokes ever committed at Liverpool. When Liverpool's FA Cup game against Luton was called off Irvine wasn't told the news. He climbed on the team bus in his best suit ready for matchday, not noticing others were in tracksuits. 'He thinks that the game is on,' Hansen said to Dalglish. Kenny called for Irvine to come to his seat. 'We've got some injuries. How would you like playing centre-back?' 'I'm not sure, gaffer,' Irvine replied. 'Would you more comfortable in midfield?,' Kenny asked, to which Irvine said 'Yes.' 'Just don't tell anybody you're playing,' were his final instructions. Poor Irvine hadn't still made his debut. The players were let in on the joke and took their seat in the dressing room at Anfield as if the game was on. They were told by Kenny to sort their match tickets out, knowing that would leave Alan alone in the dressing room with him as he was the only one without a ticket. Alan was left waiting in the dressing room for some considerable time until Kenny finally said: 'The game's off,' to which poor Alan could only mutter: 'I know.'
Appearances per season
Season |
League |
FA |
LC |
Europe |
Other |
Total |
Totals |
2 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
1986-1987 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
A more detailed look at the player's appearances
Apps |
Minutes |
Opponent |
1 |
71 |
Southampton |
1 |
44 |
Everton |
1 |
33 |
Luton Town |
1 |
16 |
Charlton Athletic |
Total |
Started/substitutions |
0 |
Started |
5 |
On the bench |
4 |
Substitute |
0 |
Substituted |
Total |
Venue |
3 |
Away |
1 |
Home |
Milestone Appearances
# |
Date |
Against |
Stadium |
Competition |
1 |
20.12.1986 |
Charlton Athletic |
Selhurst Park |
League |
Other Clubs
Club |
Season |
Club rank |
League apps |
League goals |
Total apps |
Total goals |
Blackburn United |
1979-1980 |
Scotland |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
Hibernian |
1980-1983 |
Scottish Premier Division |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Falkirk |
1982-1983 |
Scotland Division 1 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
Falkirk |
1983-1984 |
Scotland Division 1 |
23 |
2 |
25 |
2 |
Falkirk |
1984-1985 |
Scotland Division 1 |
34 |
5 |
36 |
5 |
Falkirk |
1985-1986 |
Scotland Division 1 |
34 |
6 |
39 |
7 |
Falkirk |
1986-1987 |
Scotland Division 1 |
18 |
4 |
19 |
4 |
Dundee United |
1987-1988 |
Scotland Premier League |
7 |
0 |
8 |
0 |
Shrewsbury Town |
1987-1988 |
England Second Division |
6 |
1 |
6 |
1 |
Shrewsbury Town |
1988-1989 |
England Second Division |
31 |
5 |
35 |
5 |
Mazda |
1989-1990 |
Japan |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
St. Mirren |
1990-1991 |
Scotland Premier League |
11 |
0 |
11 |
0 |
St. Mirren |
1991-1992 |
Scotland Premier League |
28 |
3 |
30 |
3 |
Portadown |
1992-1993 |
Irish Premier League |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
East Fife |
1993-1994 |
Scotland Division 2 |
30 |
9 |
32 |
9 |
East Fife |
1994-1995 |
Scotland Division 2 |
14 |
0 |
16 |
0 |
Total |
237 |
35 |
258 |
36 |