Alan Marriott (born 3 September 1978) is an English former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper.
In a career that lasted from 1997 until 2014. Marriott came through the ranks at Tottenham Hotspur he went on to notably spend 9 years with Lincoln City where he was involved in two play-off final defeats at the Millennium Stadium whilst playing under Keith Alexander. Marriott amassed 354 League appearances for the Imps and later had a spell with Rushden & Diamonds before a five-year stint at Mansfield Town in which he was the clubs player of the season during the 2009–10 season and the Conference National title in 2012.
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Career
Tottenham Hotspur
Marriott began his career at Tottenham Hotspur, signing a professional contract in the summer of 1997 following the completion of his two-year youth training scheme. He was released by Spurs at the completion of the 1998–99 season.
Lincoln City
Marriott linked up with Lincoln City, initially on trial and then on a three-month contract following a recommendation from one-time Lincoln manager and then Tottenham's Director of Youth, Colin Murphy. In October 1999 he agreed a two-year contract with the Imps and went on to make his first team debut on 12 February 2000 in a 2–1 home victory over Torquay United. He retained his place for the remainder of the season which culminated in him being awarded Lincoln's Young Player of the Year.
Marriott began the following season as the established number one choice and, following a series of impressive performances, was rewarded with a new three-year contract at the end of September 2000. In a 1–1 draw away to Carlisle United on 2 December 2000, Marriott limped off injured after 37 minutes with a knee injury; this kept him away from the first team for a three-month spell. The season would conclude with Marriott named Away Player of the Season.
A shaky start to the 2001–02 season, which saw errors in the games against Halifax Town, Grimsby Town and Scunthorpe United, caused Marriott to be replaced by Paul Pettinger in the Lincoln goal. However, following a 1–0 home defeat to Bristol Rovers on 15 September 2001, Marriott was restored to first team. Although he was forced off injured at half time in the 1–0 home defeat to Southend United on 16 March 2003, it would be exactly three years, from the 1–1 away draw with Luton Town on 18 September 2001, until the 0–0 away draw with Bristol Rovers on 18 September 2004, before he would miss another league game: a total of 140 consecutive appearances. Injury would cause him to miss the 1–1 home draw with Chester City on 25 September 2004.
Following Lincoln's move into administration towards the end of the 2001–02 season, the club appointed Keith Alexander as manager. Alexander based his team around a solid defensive unit and it was, perhaps, this period which saw Marriott's best performances. Against all expectations, Lincoln reached the play-off final in the 2002–03 season, conceding just 37 league goals with Marriott keeping 18 clean sheets in the league. Despite the disappointment of defeat in the final to AFC Bournemouth, Marriott agreed a new two-year contract in the summer of 2003.
The 2003–04 season saw Lincoln reach the play-offs once again, with Marriott to the fore with 17 clean sheets in the league, 10 of them away from Sincil Bank. Marriott's efforts were rewarded with second place in the voting for Lincoln's Player of the Season but he collected the Bill Stacey Memorial Trophy after being named Away Player of the Season.
Rushden & Diamonds
On 9 July 2008, Marriott signed for Conference National side Rushden & Diamonds. He made only 12 league appearances for the Diamonds before being signed by Mansfield Town on 8 January 2009 on a short-term contract.
Mansfield Town
Seven clean sheets in his first nine games, in which he conceded just two goals, saw Marriott offered a new contract, which he signed in March 2009. Marriott scored a goal from his own penalty area against Wrexham on 20 April 2012.
In May 2012 Marriott signed a new contract ahead of the 2012–13 season. Marriott made his 200th league appearance for Mansfield in a 1–0 win over AFC Wimbledon in March 2014. Marriott was offered a new contract at the end of the season, though he left the club after turning it down.
Honours
Lincoln City
Football League Third Division/Football League Two play-off finalist (2): 2002–03, 2004–05
Football League Third Division/Football League Two play-off semi-finalist (3): 2003–04, 2005–06, 2006–07
Mansfield Town
Conference National winner: 2012–13
Conference National play-off semi-finalist: 2011–12
FA Trophy finalist: 2010–11
