Jeg så Motherwell i aksjon på Fir Park i Motherwell i slutten av november 2006, men da spilte ikke Alan Martin. Han er for øvrig født 1. januar 1989 og var jaktet av bl.a. Glasgow Rangers.
Dette står å lese på Motherwells egen hjemmeside:
"When Terry Butcher handed in his team-sheet to Kenny Clark on our visit to East End Park in January 2006, the name Alan Martin appeared on it and with it, the youngster became player number 34 to be involved with the 'Well first team during the 2005'06 season.
The Glasgow born keeper was named as goalkeeping substitute for the top team the first time in his career and took his place on the bench to ensure Graeme Smith was fit for the CIS Cup Semi Final against Celtic.
As is the norm Meldrum, aside from turning in a very capable display, got through the 90 minutes unscathed and therefore Alan’s ‘Well debut was delayed for a while yet.
The scenario was repeated, just a couple of weeks later when again Alan was selected as back-up to Meldrum when Buzz was injured for the trip to Tynecastle in February.
Now more than a year down the line since Alan was first listed he has been selected on a couple of further occasions as the goalkeeping number two but has yet to make that debut outing in claret and amber.
The goalkeeper has however continued forging an international career in the Scotland youth set up and was called up as part of the squad Archie Knox selected for the La Manga Tournament in early February where Scotland U19's will face Austria, Slovakia and Norway.
With Dougie Calder being allowed to move on, Alan's place as the 'stand-by' keeper behind Buzz and Melly seemed to be secure when offered a contract extension by Maurice Malpas.
Martin's growing reputation however attracted admiring glances from elsewhere and sparking off a long-winded 'Will he stay or will he go' saga which remains as yet unresolved.
Returning to the club for pre-season training Martin had still not signed his new contract. Instead of travelling to Austria with the rest of the squad was allowed to go on trial with Leeds Utd with a rather stinging rebuke from Mark McGhee; 'We do not want anyone at the club who doesn't want to play for us' ringing in his ears."
