Alan was taught bridge when he was five, by his two (much older) brothers. He continued playing at his secondary school (King Edward VI Grammar School - the most famous ex pupil being a certain W. Shakespeare) and at Stratford-upon-Avon bridge club until he left for Manchester to study for a degree in Mathematics.
On arriving at the bridge clubs he discovered that he knew nothing at all about the game, and whatever he did know was wrong! The University Bridge Club and Manchester Bridge Club had the likes of John Holland, Gary Hyett, Michelle Brunner et al around and so it was a steep learning curve. Fortunately, he was lucky enough to play with and against them on a regular basis and despite doing so, emerged from University three years later with a degree (though God knows how) and a bridge game resembling competent.
His serious partnerships have been, in chronological order, with Anil Ruia, with whom he won the National Pairs and reached the final of the Gold Cup; Howard Melbourne, with whom he played his first Camrose match; Gary Hyett, with whom he won the Gold Cup in 1997 and 1999, played for Great Britain in the very last European Championships that country played in (Malta 1999) and played seven Camrose matches; and most recently John Holland with whom he won a silver medal in the D’Orsi Bowl (Wuhan 2019) and a bronze medal in the World Bridge Games Seniors (Wroclaw 2022), has represented England in the seniors in both the most recent European and World Championships, has won the Teltscher Trophy and played two other Teltscher Trophies and a Camrose match (January 2026). Alan rates his best bridge memories as finally winning the Gold Cup in 1997 after 20 years of trying and being the losing finalist twice, and the silver medal in D’Orsi Bowl.
Domestically, Alan has won two Gold Cups, the National Pairs, the Pachabo five times, the Tollemache twice and the Corwen Trophy twice. Some events continue to elude him, notably Crockfords and the Spring Fours. Locally he has won every Manchester event multiple times with the exception of the Mixed Pairs, which he finally won during lockdown with Irene Davies, then Chair of the Manchester Bridge Association.
Alan has taken up official positions at various times over the last 20 years or so. He has been the coach for the women in one Olympiad (Maastricht 2000), two Europeans (Tenerife 2001, Salsmaggiore 2002), two Venice Cups (Paris 2001, Monte Carlo 2003) and captain in one Olympiad (Istanbul 2004) and one European (Malmo 2004) and was coach for the open in one European (Budapest 2016). During this time the team has won one Gold and one Bronze at European Level (Tenerife 2001 and Salsomaggiore 2002). He has also, for time off in purgatory, had two stints on the EBU Selection Committee and is its current Vice-Chair. He is currently the Secretary of Manchester County Bridge Association.
20 years ago Alan married his long-standing partner (in the non-bridge sense). Monica plays no bridge at all, a fact that both of them are daily grateful for.
Alan is now retired, but worked in education for all of his career, in further education, university and then finally for two educational institutions. Other hobbies include many other games of high complexity, eating out, cooking and the theatre. He is also the carer for his wife, who has been ill with ME/CFS for over 35 years.
Last updated: March 2026
Major International Appearances
European Team Championships: 1999
European Team Championships (Seniors): 2021 2024 and 2026
D'Orsi Bowl: 2019 (Silver medal) and 2025
World Bridge Games (Seniors): 2022 (bronze medal)
Teltscher Trophy Selections: 2020 and 2021 and 2026 (winning team 2020)
Camrose Trophy Selections: 1991 1998 1999 2001 2003 2004 and 2005 and 2026
Domestic trophies
National Pairs: 1985
Gold Cup: 1997 and 1999
Corwen Trophy: 2018 and 2024
Pachabo Cup: 2015, 2018, 2019, 2021 and 2025
Tollemache Cup: 2023 and 2024