Alan Julian
Alan John Julian is a professional football manager and former footballer. A goalkeeper, he made 664 senior appearances during a 22-year playing career.
Julian began his career at Brentford, progressing through the academy before making his first-team debut in November 2002. He joined Stevenage Borough in February 2005, becoming first-choice goalkeeper and winning the FA Trophy in May 2007, the first competitive final held at the new Wembley Stadium. He moved to Gillingham in May 2008, making 80 appearances across three seasons before returning to Stevenage for the 2011–12 season and then spending a year at Newport County. After being named Dartford's Player of the Year in the 2013–14 season, he joined Sutton United and later Bromley, helping the latter win promotion to the National League and spending two years as their regular goalkeeper.
He subsequently made 156 appearances across three and a half years at Billericay Town, winning promotion to the National League South, before signing for Hampton & Richmond Borough in September 2020. Julian retired in May 2024 and was appointed the club's first-team manager later that month. Internationally, he represented Northern Ireland at under-18, under-19, and under-21 levels.
Early life
Julian was born at Ashford Hospital in Surrey. Aged nine, he was offered a trial at Brentford after his father contacted the club. He is a lifelong Chelsea supporter.Club career
Brentford
Julian joined Brentford at the age of nine following a successful trial. While also playing for Sunbury Manor and Sunbury Casuals, he progressed through the youth system and signed his first professional contract in 2002. Julian made his senior debut in a 1–0 victory over Plymouth Argyle in the Football League Trophy on 12 November 2002, and made a further three appearances during the 2002–03 season. At the end of the season, he signed a new contract with Brentford, keeping him at the club until 2005. He made 14 appearances during the 2003–04 season, before leaving the club in February 2005, stating "the time had come" to pursue regular first-team football.Stevenage Borough
He signed for Stevenage Borough on a free transfer on 4 February 2005, making his debut in a 1–0 victory over Scarborough. He kept seven clean sheets in 17 appearances during the second half of the 2004–05 season, including in a 1–0 win against Hereford United at Edgar Street in the play-off semi-final second leg. Julian featured in the play-off final, a 1–0 defeat to Carlisle United at the Britannia Stadium. He remained with the club for the 2005–06 season, "attracting interest from scouts" during the club's strong start. Stevenage recorded 12 clean sheets during the season, but missed out on the play-offs after a 2–0 defeat to Forest Green Rovers, finishing sixth. Julian made 45 appearances and was named Stevenage's Player of the Year.Ahead of the 2006–07 season, new manager Mark Stimson signed goalkeeper Danny Potter, stating he would be first choice. Julian was an unused substitute for the opening two matches of the season, but made his first appearance as a 63rd-minute substitute following Potter's red card in a 3–2 home defeat to Crawley Town on 18 August 2006. He retained his place thereafter, making 53 appearances as Stevenage finished eighth in the Conference National. Eight of those appearances came during the club's successful FA Trophy campaign, in which he kept four clean sheets. Julian started in the final, a 3–2 victory against Kidderminster Harriers at Wembley Stadium in front of 53,262 spectators. The result made Stevenage the first team to win a competitive final at the new stadium.
Julian kept his first clean sheet of the 2007–08 season in Stevenage's 3–0 home victory over Weymouth, which served as the catalyst for a run of eight matches without conceding a goal, equalling a Conference National record following a 4–0 win against Farsley Celtic at Broadhall Way. During this period, Julian went 778 minutes without conceding a goal. After Stimson departed for Gillingham, Julian declined a new contract offer, stating his intention to "keep his options open for the summer", and was subsequently transfer-listed in January 2008. Despite this, he remained first-choice goalkeeper under new manager Peter Taylor until a 3–1 home defeat to Torquay United on 12 April 2008, his final appearance of the season. He made 44 appearances during the 2007–08 season, and 159 in total during his three-and-a-half year spell at the club.
Gillingham
Julian joined Gillingham on a free transfer on 21 May 2008, reuniting with former Stevenage manager Mark Stimson. He made his debut in a 1–0 home defeat to Colchester United in the League Cup first round on 12 August 2008. Serving as second choice to Simon Royce, Julian made six appearances in all competitions during the 2008–09 season, keeping three clean sheets, as Gillingham secured promotion to League One with a 1–0 play-off final victory over Shrewsbury Town.Ahead of the 2009–10 season, Stimson stated he was undecided as to whether Julian or Royce would start in the club's opening fixture. Julian was ultimately selected and played in Gillingham's 5–0 home victory against Swindon Town on the opening day of the season. After three consecutive defeats in which the team conceded seven goals, Julian was replaced by Royce for the League Cup tie against Blackburn Rovers. Over the next four months, Julian made only two appearances, both in the Football League Trophy, and subsequently submitted a transfer request due to limited first-team opportunities. Gillingham received no offers, with manager Mark Stimson stating: "You don't just say I'm on the transfer list and six teams come in for you". Julian remained with the club and, after returning to the starting line-up in a 2–1 defeat at Huddersfield Town in December 2009, he retained the position for the remainder of the season. The club were relegated to League Two following a 3–0 defeat to Wycombe Wanderers on the final day. Julian made 33 appearances during the season, keeping eight clean sheets.
Under new manager Andy Hessenthaler, Julian started the 2010–11 season as Gillingham's first-choice goalkeeper. Similar to the previous season, he lost his place following a winless run at the start of the campaign. New signing Lance Cronin impressed during a draw against Morecambe, and kept Julian out of the first team for five weeks. Following a 7–4 away defeat to Accrington Stanley, Julian returned to the starting line-up. He was part of the team that ended Gillingham's 35-game winless away run with a 1–0 victory against Oxford United at the Kassam Stadium on 20 November 2010. He remained first-choice goalkeeper throughout the season as Gillingham finished in eighth position in League Two, making 41 appearances in all competitions, keeping 12 clean sheets. Despite being the club's first-choice goalkeeper, Julian was informed that he was no longer part of the club's plans and was released on 11 May 2011. He made 80 appearances in all competitions during his three-year spell at Gillingham.