Alan Boswell
FullnameAlan Henry Boswell[1]
Birth date8 August 1943[1]
Birth placeWalsall, England[1]
Death date24 August 2017 (aged 74)
Height5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)[2]
PositionGoalkeeper
Youthyears 11958–1960
Youthclubs 1Walsall
Years 11960–1963
Clubs 1Walsall
Caps 166
Goals 10
Years 21963–1968
Clubs 2Shrewsbury Town
Caps 2222
Goals 20
Years 31968–1969
Clubs 3Wolverhampton Wanderers
Caps 310
Goals 30
Years 41969–1972
Clubs 4Bolton Wanderers
Caps 451
Goals 40
Years 51972–1974
Clubs 5Port Vale
Caps 586
Goals 50
Totalcaps435
Totalgoals0
Manageryears 11976–1977
Managerclubs 1Oswestry Town

Alan Henry Boswell (8 August 1943 – 24 August 2017) was an English football goalkeeper who made 479 league and cup appearances in a 12-year career in the English Football League.

He began his career at Walsall in 1961 before moving on to Shrewsbury Town in 1963. He spent five years at the club before winning a move to First Division club Wolverhampton Wanderers in 1968. The next year he moved on to Bolton Wanderers before signing with Port Vale in July 1972. He left Vale Park in May 1974 and later turned out for Oswestry Town, who he managed in the first half of the 1976–77 season.

Career

Walsall

Boswell started his career with his hometown club Walsall, joining as an amateur in 1958 and turning professional in 1960.[3] Walsall finished 14th in the Second Division in 1961–62, under the stewardship of Bill Moore. He remained the first-choice keeper at Fellows Park in 1962–63, as the "Saddlers" were relegated into the Third Division. He moved on to league rivals Shrewsbury Town.

Shrewsbury Town

In his first season at Gay Meadow1963–64Shrewsbury Townfinished mid-table in Third Division. Similar finishes followed in1964–65 and 1965–66, before missing out on promotion by four places and three points in 1966–67. The "Shrews" finished third in 1967–68, missing out on promotion by a single point. He was the first-choice stopper for Arthur Rowley's side throughout his five years at Gay Meadowand played in over 200 League matches for the club.

Wolves and Bolton

Boswell signed with Wolverhampton Wanderers in 1968, but played just ten First Division games in 1968–69, including a 6–0 defeat to Liverpool at Molineux. He was sold on to Bolton Wanderers at the end of the campaign, who were competing in the Second Division under the stewardship of Nat Lofthouse. The "Trotters" finished 16th in 1969–70, before suffering relegation in last place in 1970–71. In his last season at Burnden Park, 1971–72, Bolton finished seventh in the Third Division.

Port Vale

He moved to Gordon Lee's Third Division Port Vale in July 1972 and kept a clean sheet on his debut in a draw with Rochdale at Spotland on 12 August that year.[1] He spent two seasons of regular football with the club, leaving some unpleasant memories for many Vale fans: conceding seven goals to Rotherham United at Millmoor, he was sent off for fighting during a 1–0 win at Swansea Town at Vetch Field, and managed to palm the ball into his own net in a 1–1 draw with former club Walsall at Vale Park.[1] He was favoured ahead of Reg Edwards in 1972–73 and 1973–74.[1] He was given a free transfer in May 1974 by new manager Roy Sproson, and moved on to non-League side Oswestry Town, where he also served as manager in the first half of the 1976–77 Southern League Division One North season.[1][4]

Style of play

Boswell was a goalkeeper ahead of his time, as his teammates castigated him for warming up outside the goal area before games, which became common practice after his retirement.[5] He also bought his own kit and wore gloves, which few other goalkeepers did at the time.[5]

Personal and later life

After retiring from football, he ran a newsagent's shop in Shrewsbury and found success in the pool table industry.[5] He married Rosalind and had twin daughters.[2] Another daughter, Faye Turney, was one of the 15 British naval personnel seized by Iran in 2007.[6] His death was reported on 24 August 2017.[7]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition[8]
ClubSeasonLeagueFA CupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Walsall1961–62Second Division2504000290
1962–63Second Division4101010430
Total6605010720
Shrewsbury Town1963–64Third Division3901010410
1964–65Third Division4306020510
1965–66Third Division4208030530
1966–67Third Division4603030520
1967–68Third Division4605010520
1968–69Third Division60001070
Total22202301102560
Wolverhampton Wanderers1968–69First Division1000000100
Bolton Wanderers1969–70Second Division2201000230
1970–71Second Division2901030330
Total5102030560
Port Vale1972–73Third Division4403020490
1973–74Third Division4204000460
Total8607020950
Career total43503701704790

References

  1. ^ Kent, Jeff (1996). Port Vale Personalities. Witan Books. p. 35. ISBN 0-9529152-0-0.
  2. ^ "Alan Boswell interview". onevalefan.co.uk. 2012-01-27. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  3. ^ "Walsall Player 2. Alan Boswell". Mikes WFC Players History. 24 March 2016. Retrieved 4 July 2021.
  4. ^ "Oswestry Town Managers". The New Saints F.C. 27 January 2016. Retrieved 8 January 2017.
  5. ^ Instone, David (18 March 2009). "Wolves Heroes » Blog Archive » Castigated – But Definitely A Visionary". wolvesheroes.com. Archived from the original on 25 August 2017. Retrieved 24 August 2017.
  6. ^ "Faye's devotion to daughter". Shropshire Star. 23 March 2007. Archived from the original on 31 March 2007. Retrieved 22 March 2010.
  7. ^ "Alan Boswell". Shrewsbury Town F.C. 24 August 2017. Retrieved 24 August 2017.
  8. ^