“I always wanted to be a golfer, only I realised that if I’d played golf I would have been skint.”
Alan Hansen
Introduction
Alan Hansen is well-known for his brash and hard-hitting punditry. A regular on Match of the Day for many years, Alan never minced his words, often outspoken, Hansen gave praise where it was due but there was a poor performance, he would always heap his unique criticism on it from the highest platform. This is a man you would love to have a pint with down the pub when the football is on. With a wry smile and a twinkle in his eye, Hanson has volumes of colourful criticisms in his repertoire. A right due to his years of experience as a Partick Thistle, Scotland and Liverpool player.
The Scottish Viking
Born in Sauchie, Clackmannanshire in 1955, Alan has Danish heritage. His paternal grandfather was Danish. Born into a gritty and colourful Scotland, Hansen had one love from an early age, the beautiful game, football. Starting as a Scottish junior league player with his brother John at Sauchie Juniors, Alan had a nasty accident at 15 while playing volleyball, running into a plate glass window and sustaining a large scar on his forehead. He had to have 27 stitches and successfully sued the education authority after having the accident at a youth club. He gave up football for two years and concentrated on golf instead but he still kept the aspirations of being a football professional firmly alive.
Encouraged by his parents, Hansen accepted a trial with Hibernian when he was 17. He was offered a contract by the manager Eddie Turnbull but turned it down as it would mean he wouldn’t be able to play golf competitively. However, after a period of reflection, Alan decided not to go to the University of Aberdeen and join his brother John at Partick Thistle. Whilst at this club which included a 4-1 win against Celtic at Hampden Park, he caught the attention of the then-Liverpool manager, Bob Paisley. Fuelled by winning the Scottish Championship in the 1975-76 season, Hanson moved to the iconic Anfield club in 1977.
Jockey
Signed to Liverpool for a fee of £100,000, Alan was a slow burner but he came to fruition, he was on fire. His first goal against Dynamo Dresden led to a 4-1 win, a month after his signing. He would go on to make 620 appearances, helping win the club eight league titles, three European cups, and two FA cups in addition to 26 appearances for Scotland. Hansen played in one of the golden eras of this Liverpudlian club and became the driving force and central defender when Emelyn Hughes was sold to Wolves. A player who worked under the managers Bob Paisley, Joe Fagan and his good friend Kenny Dalglish and was there at Hillsborough. A horrific experience that he describes as “the blackest period of my life”. The emotional scars are always there and one that should be never forgotten.
Punditry
Despite being offered managerial roles at Huddersfield Town and Manchester City, he turned both down. Retiring as a player in 1991, he decided to take three months off. The offers weren’t forthcoming and after a discussion with his wife, he decided to ring around the television networks to try and find work. The phone eventually rang and he was offered a job at BBC Radio 5 Live. He then moved to Match of the Day where he spent 22 years. A columnist for The Daily Telegraph and a motivational speaker, Hansen covered sixteen FA Cup finals, six FIFA World Cups, five UEFA European Championships and one Summer Olympic Games with the BBC. At the time of writing this piece, it was announced that Alan is seriously ill in hospital and our prayers are with him and wish him a speedy recovery.
