Andy Alleyne

[Maguire]

Former Royals player died today aged 61. Never saw him play myself, but epic hair.



Post your memories here. Did someone once say he scored from the halfway line?

[Mr Angry]

Saw his first game; too young to remember too much about him tbh.

[Saaaaaaaammmmmm]

http://www.getreading.co.uk/sport/football/readingfc/s/2115626_reading_fc_star_andy_alleyne_loses_battle_with_cancer

Former Royals star Andy Alleyne passed away this morning after losing his battle with cancer.

The 61-year-old full-back played 53 times for Reading club between 1972 to 1975.

Born in Barbados, Alleyne also went on to play in the area for Wokingham Town and Newbury Town.

He lost his long fight against cancer and passed away in the early hours in the Duchess of Kent House. He leaves his wife, Maureen, daughter Tia and sons Anthony, Andrew, and Adrian.

Alleyne was born in Springtown, on 19 May, 1951, and proved a very talented footballer from a young age.

Despite being a regular in the Reading Youth team from 1967 to 1969, he was not offered professional terms and left the club, went to work for the GPO and played for Newbury Town in the Amateur Leagues.

However, after the sacking of manager Jack Mansell in 1971, he was re-called to the club by caretaker manager Jimmy Wallbanks and turned professional in 1972.

After a series of fine displays for the reserve side, Alleyne was selected for the first team against League leaders, Southport, on 21 October 1972. His debut was celebrated among Reading's Afro-Caribbean community as the first black player to appear in the Royals' first team.

That debut game was also noteworthy as it saw him score his first goal at senior level from inside his own half to equalise in the 1-1 draw at Elm Park.

Alleyne kept his place for most of that 1972/73 season but the signing of Stewart Henderson in the June saw his chances greatly restricted. He made 53 League and Cup appearances for the club and scored twice before being released in May 1976.

He was the head of a large and well-respected footballing family dynasty still playing the local leagues today.

No details of his funeral service have yet been released

Richard Wickson, secretary of Reading FC Former Players Association, said: “Andy was a great guy, on and off the field. On the field he proved a fine and outstanding full-back deserving of a longer professional career than the 53 appearances that he is credited for. Off the pitch I found him to be a quiet, unassuming man with a wonderful personality.

"I know I speak for all his fellow team-mates when I say, he was greatly thought of and will be remembered with great fondness. Our sincerest condolences go to Maureen and their family.”

[Hoop Blah]

Sad news.

I knew/know his lads so thoughts are with them.

[Ark Royal]

RIP Andy. Remember his debut goal well. Just a hopeful punt forward from the right back position in his own half.

[Linden Jones' Tash]

too young to know him, but sad to lose a someone who played for his local side and opened doors to others - RIP

[Barney]

I went to the 'raise a glass to Robin Friday' tribute evening at the Reading Town Hall around 3-4 weeks ago. Aside from it being a truly memorable evening listening to ex-players Tommy Youlden and Gordon Cumming talk about the 1970s Reading team, and specifically Robin, the other player in attendance was Andy Alleyne.
I went over to speak to Gordon Cumming shortly after he had finished talking to Andy Alleyne, and he told me that Andy was in a bad way.
He was in a wheelchair and looked frail, but total respect to the guy turning up to pay tribute on an evening looking back at the too short career of Robin Friday.

61. No age at all. RIP Andy.

[Franchise FC]

Now I feel extremely mortal - I played against him a couple of times

[trueroyal1871]

RIP Andy, I used to work with his son Anthony who isn't a bad footballer either. Sincere condolences to him and his family.

[TBM]

Aren't the Alleynes quite a famous footballing family (in the local leagues?)

[No Fixed Abode]

Aren't the Alleynes quite a famous footballing family (in the local leagues?)

I know Anthony - he was fairly decent and very quick. Played for Barton Rovers then Newbury Town.

[Friday's Legacy]

My father played football with Andy Alleyne, and then by coincidence I grew up with his son Adrian, and used to kick about with him at school.

Very sad news. Thoughts are with the family. RIP.

Aren't the Alleynes quite a famous footballing family (in the local leagues?)

Adi could have gone pro. He was very good, but at 15 he became one of the boys and started smoking and drinking and seemed to move away from football. I think he ended up moving to Barbados at some point.

[Gordons Cumming]

A good solid footballer as I recall.

RIP Andy.

Best wishes to his family.

[nailseabiscuitman]

Very sad news . Also remember his goal and the look on his face was something akin to Theo Walcott the other night which rather gave the game away as to his intentions. A good ,solid, wholehearted player. Passed away far too soon RIP

[bobbybottler]

His missus used to work in an Order Management team at Energis.

RIP.

[Stolp]

I remember him well he was a good. Really sad he passed away.

[percy_freeman]

Remember him well, my thoughts are with his family. RIP

[Harpers So Solid Crew]

RIP Andy Alleyne, definitely there from my time following the Royals. Great hair and tenacious attitude I recall

[ankeny]

Remember him well,lost a few sportsmen this week...

[Mid Sussex Royal]

Remember him well.

That debut goal was from around the halfway line - more of a shanked pass from memory - similar to the goal Paul Parker scored against us for Man U in a FA cup tie late 1990's.