Not many people can say they have played for Manchester United's first team. For those that have, it is something they should be immensely proud of.
Coming through the ranks in the 1980s must have been ridiculously tough. The School of Hard Knocks does not even come close to the experience and it was the harshest of environments for those striving to make a career in the game, with stardust in their eyes.
Alan Tonge was one of the youngsters I remember from seeing his name in the yearbooks and being aware of him as an up-and-coming prospect with the Reds. Indeed his autobiography 'From Red to Read' is subtitled 'The Story of Fergie's First Fledgling', as he signed on before Sir Alex wrapped up the senior acquisitions of Viv Anderson and Brian McClair in 1987.
A number of Alan's peers gained opportunities in that first batch of 'Fledglings' entrusted to make an impact in difficult times. However, Tonge's only outing came in a friendly against Histon, the non-league club where we signed exciting winger Giuliano Maiorana from.
Just pulling on that first-team jersey, though, was some achievement as he turned out alongside some real big names including Mark Hughes, Steve Bruce and Lee Sharpe that night at Cambridge United's Abbey Stadium on 19 May, 1989.
“It was an enjoyable experience that I'll never forget,”
says Alan. “In front of a decent crowd of just under 4,000 and a great atmosphere.”
He got to experience things that most people could only dream about, such as featuring alongside Sir Bobby Charlton in a specially arranged match after a tournament, playing abroad for the Reds, learning from Norman Whiteside (who writes the foreword in the book) and appearing in the FA Youth Cup. After leaving United, he played for Exeter City and was their Young Player of the Year in 1992/93 but injury cruelly cut short his career.
Alan does not shirk from discussing the harsh realities of life as a young footballer in those days. The agony of working so hard at his game, switching from midfield to full-back to show versatility, only to be told face-to-face by Sir Alex that he “lacked a yard of pace”
, which was the primary reason he was being released. Having to go and train after the bombshell news, with tears streaming down his face, and Paul Ince criticising him for having a heavy touch, was something that really hit home.
“Your whole body just sinks and crumples in on itself, like a boxer who's just suffered a devastating knockout they didn't see coming,” he writes. “In an instant, my world had come crashing down. I honestly wouldn't wish it on anyone.”
One recurring theme is also that he feels he never truly expressed his true footballing self, rather adapting to circumstance and the demands of the team.
Tonge reflects that having the likes of ex-England international Anderson, Denis Irwin, Lee Martin, Clayton Blackmore and Ince for competition made his task a Herculean one and there can be no shame in not quite fulfilling his dream. The resilience he showed in moving south to join Exeter City to kickstart his career is commendable and yet he had to suffer the heartbreaking news that a spinal injury would end his time as a professional footballer at the tender age of 22.
He admits to mental health struggles, alcohol problems and a battle to recover and, yet, he refocused and, in 2022, obtained a PhD, still working in sports and using his expertise. Dr Alan Tonge's message to his two children is: “How you both remember me as a person is this - from a fight I couldn't win, I got back up again.”
'From Red to Read' is a compelling tale of how not everybody can rise through the ranks to superstardom, but fulfilment and achievement can be enjoyed in other areas. It was striking how often Alan says he still has the newspaper reports and other mementoes from his career, which illustrates the pride he must feel.
So many names in the book are ones I have come across in my own time working in football and it was fascinating to hear that he had to man-mark former United Reserves coach Warren Joyce when playing for Exeter. There are his insights into his team-mates, including Ryan Giggs, Hughes and Adrian Doherty, and the realisation that his love of the club could not be broken by his exit.
If you're seeking a good read to take on holiday this summer, Alan's autobiography is well worth checking out. It is a story of perseverance that shines a light on a side of the game back in the 1980s that does not get enough coverage. And it will leave you feeling an enormous amount of respect for him.
From Red to Read: The Story of Fergie's FIrst Fledgling is available to buy here from Pitch Publishing.