Alan Combe

Playing as a youth with Huchison Vale, Alan had a spell with Kelty Hearts before being signed by Cowdenbeath as third choice keeper in 1993. Events brought him a first team debut within a matter of weeks, aged 18, eventually making 19 appearances during the 1993-94 season. He was immediately signed by St Mirren, and competed with Campbell Money for the goalkeeping position, eventually becoming first choice. He was selected for several Scotland Under-21 squads but was limited to a place on the bench.

With the departure of second choice keeper Ally Maxwell, Alan was brought to Tannadice as back-up to Sieb Dijkstra in the summer of 1998, playing in two matches during the Club’s pre-season tour of Holland and the public trial match at Tannadice. He was given his competitive debut in November 1998 against Dundee after Sieb was dropped due to a run of poor form. Alan then had a short run in the side, and at the end of that season he became first choice. He retained the No.1 jersey until he was ousted by Paul Gallacher in December 2000. He was sent out on loan to Bradford City at the end of the 2001-02 season, before returning to United for a brief return to the United line-up during the 2002-03 season.

When released from contract he joined Bradford City, but soon returned to Scotland to sign for Kilmarnock, where he gained a Scotland 'B' cap against Poland in 2005 and collected a League Cup runners-up medal in 2007. After a successful five years at Rugby Park, he picked up a serious hip injury early in 2009-10 and was released in January 2011. After short trial periods with Clyde and Hamilton, he signed for Greenock Morton and continued to play there after being appointed coach with Alloa Athletic. He then returned to Edinburgh as goalkeeper coach with both Hearts and Hibs.