Alan Little

[Ian Nimmo]

So sad to hear this.
He was a great player and yes not many got passed him, whilst his tackles were very hard he nearly always stayed on the pitch something which would not happen in the current game.
He was also a great guy and always had time to speak to us in the bar after games.
As many have already said, he was a true legend.

[Drover]

Sad news,one of my first legends,made a big impression on me as a child,Animal,the Wall,echo all the good sentiments above. R.I.P.

[PDX_Rover]

Awful news. A proper mester. Fearless and zero fecks given. RIP Animal.

[danumdon]

RIP Animal, a proper character, and some player.

[BillyStubbsTears]

He also had, along with Glynn and possibly Cotterill, the hardest shot I've ever seen from a Rovers player.

[IDM]

A proper old school footballer from a bygone era.
Well it was because his tackling would get a yellow card if he played in the modern era. Did I say yellow, well yellow and the next one would be red.
Great memories and that drop ball on a Friday night game v Huddersfield when he went through ball and man is my lasting memory of the one only Alan Little.
R.I.P

sad news, I'm another who relished watching him play.  Did he get a red card for the drop ball incident?  I'd have loved to be a fly on the wall when Bremner discussed this later, he who was no shrinking violet either!!

[Filo]

A proper old school footballer from a bygone era.
Well it was because his tackling would get a yellow card if he played in the modern era. Did I say yellow, well yellow and the next one would be red.
Great memories and that drop ball on a Friday night game v Huddersfield when he went through ball and man is my lasting memory of the one only Alan Little.
R.I.P

sad news, I'm another who relished watching him play.  Did he get a red card for the drop ball incident?  I'd have loved to be a fly on the wall when Bremner discussed this later, he who was no shrinking violet either!!

Can’t remember if he got sent off, but I do remember it was two footed and chopped the other guy in half

[Snodthegod]

Very sad news.  One of the standout players in that era, and his protection played a huge role in allowing Ian Snodin to develop alongside him.  Strong as an ox.  And that drop-ball incident was an absolute classic!

[Draytonian III]

I’m almost sure that the drop ball was against Huddersfield and the player that got carried off was Mick Kennedy, also I think Alan had just come back from suspension

[JonWallsend]

An absolutely great player. Hard as nails but he could play. I remember going to the training ground  in the early 80s, I was 9 or 10,  and after the session, Alan invited me and my dad into the canteen to sit with him and have a cup of tea. Not sure if it was permitted but nobody was going to argue with him.
For this, and also the fact that  he was my grandads favourite  Rovers player, he will always be in my top 5.

[BobG]

I spent 3 years in and around Coventry in the mid 70's. Inevitable then that I'd go to Villa Park to watch his brother, Brian. Brian played for England. He was undoubtedly a better footballer than Alan. But, he had neither the bottle nor the attitude of Alan. It was definitely Alan I more enjoyed watching.

BobG
PS. I thought he got sent off for the drop ball incident. Could be wrong though.

[glosterred]

The club’s announcement

https://www.doncasterroversfc.co.uk/news/2024/august/09/alan-little-/


COYR

[Lesonthewest]

I'm fairly sure Alan was sent off that day, seem to remember him heading for the dugout even before the ref sent him off!

[Pancho Regan]

Oh bloody hell, this is awfully sad news.

‘Animal’ was a member of one of my favourite Rovers teams, along with the Snodin brothers, Billy Russell, Alan Warboys.
I used to close my eyes when he went into a 50/50 tackle!

But he was an excellent midfield player as well as a beast in the tackle.

The passing of Alan Little is also a poignant reminder to me to enjoy every day of life because time passes so quickly.

RIP Animal

[dknward2]

Glad to see the club are doing something as soon as they can.

[telfordrover]

My thoughts are with Alan’s family
What a player. I was at the drop ball game, I’m not sure but had he just come on.
Utterly loved that team.
Friday night games at Belle Vue where just special
Rest in peace Animal

[Wokingviking]

My Sarfend mate said they had a minute’s silence yesterday, home to York so quite poignant.
RIP Animal

[Wokingviking]

Sorry meant to say minute’s applause

[albie]

YFront fanzine by York City supporters posted this video tribute;
https://video.twimg.com/ext_tw_video/1821567800340582400/pu/vid/avc1/1280x720/mm76x823ou5ISIUD.mp4?tag=12

Not just at Rovers he was appreciated.

[BobG]

Watching that tribute - which I liked - made me realise that Animal Alan Little  was a very rare character indeed. A lot of players are lauded, revered, worshipped even by the supporters of one club - a club where they either achieved spectacularly (think Robin Friday and Reading for example), or, spent a very large part of their career. But Alan didn't do either of those things. His stays at clubs were, relatively speaking, short. Yet, still, after 40 odd years, the supporters of York City, Southend United, Doncaster Rovers and Barnsley, all, without exception, revere him.             

Alan Little really was exceptional. Although I have no knowledge at all, I doubt very much that supporters of Torquay Utd would disagree.

BobG