Bournemouth Rugby has had many great players throughout its history, but none more dedicated and consistent than Alan Manning. Alan joined the club in the 2005/06 season, and over the course of the next 16 years, he amassed an incredible record of 373 appearances, making him one of the most successful players in the club’s history.
Alan’s journey with Bournemouth Rugby began when he played for the Nomads in his first season, winning the Nomads Cup as the 2nd XV Player of the Year. In the same season, he made his debut for the 1st XV against Windsor, and he never looked back. In the following season, he made his full 1st XV debut against Aylesbury and scored his first try in February. He went on to become the 3rd highest Tight head prop with 22 career appearances, overtaking Tony Robinson’s record.
Alan continued to break records and achieve milestones throughout his career with Bournemouth Rugby. In the 2007/08 season, he equalled Mark Awdas’s record of 26 consecutive appearances as a Tight head prop, and he extended his own consecutive appearances record as a forward to 40. He earned the John Plank Travel Trophy and the Player of the Year award that season.
In the 2008/09 season, Alan overtook Darren Clarke’s record of 53 appearances as a Tight head prop, becoming the second-highest in the club’s history behind Mark Awdas’s 136 appearances. Alan’s career reached new heights in the 2009/10 season when he was selected as the 1st XV captain. He went on to lead the team in an incredible 93 games, breaking the record for the most consecutive games played by a Tight head prop, a captain, and a player.
Alan’s leadership and consistency on the field were unmatched, and he continued to lead by example in the 2010/11 season. He extended his own records of consecutive games as a captain in a season to 26 and in a career to 38. He also played tight head prop for Dorset & Wilts in the County Championship Shield. This season he was awarded The Bill Johnston Cup, as the Captain of the Year.
The 2011/12 season saw Alan become the first forward to drop a goal while playing as a tight head prop against Newton Abbot. He also equalled his own record of consecutive games as a captain in a season of 26 and extended his own records of consecutive games as a Tight head prop, a player, and a captain to 64 and as captain to 70. Alan won the Bill Johnston Cup for the second consecutive year that season.
Early in the 2012/13 season, Alan set a new consecutive appearances record for a Tight head prop of 69, which was also the record for a player and captain. He overtook Mark Awdas’s tight head prop record of 136 appearances in October. Alan didn’t miss a minute of play in three full seasons and 18 successive matches before that. He played in 93 consecutive matches, establishing a record-breaking “playing” sequence of 94 games when he came on as a substitute in the previous game after recovering from an injury. Alan won both the Bill Johnston Cup and the Yarwood Trophy as the Players’ Player of the Year that season.
Alan’s legacy at Bournemouth Rugby continued to grow in the 2013/14 season when he became the captain for the 100th time. In the 2014/15 season, he reached 200 starts for the club, and by the end of the season, he extended his own starts records as
In the 2014/15 season, Manning achieved a significant milestone as he completed his 200th start for the club. He also extended his record as the captain with the most starts to 146 and as a forward to 211. The following year, a preseason injury sidelined Manning, but he was back to captain the team in March, extending his captaincy record to 151 starts and his record as a forward to 218.
Manning’s leadership skills were on full display during the 2017/18 season when he was the only player to start, play, and be selected for all 27 league matches. He was an integral part of the team that helped the club to secure its highest finish in the National League Three South-West division.
In the 2018/19 season, Manning continued to break records, hitting his 275th start and being selected for his 300th game. He was one of only two players, alongside Scott Chislett, to start, play, and be selected for all 26 league matches. He also led the club in various categories, including as the leading tight head prop with 192 appearances, the leading prop with 193 appearances, the leading front row forward with 267 appearances, and the leading forward with 291 appearances. He was awarded The John Plank Travel Trophy for his outstanding performances throughout the season.
The 2019/20 season saw Manning sponsored by Mojo Events, and he played his 300th game against Worthing. He was also part of a historic moment for the club when he, alongside Scott Chislett and Sam Hardcastle, totaled 1,000 1st XV League ‘caps’ between them in January. Manning was the only player to have played in all 25 games that season, starting in 24 of them. He also emerged as the leading try-scorer of the season, with his contributions instrumental in the team’s performances.
Unfortunately, the season was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Rugby Football Union (RFU) determined the final placings, resulting in some teams being promoted and others relegated. The 2020/21 season was voided due to the ongoing pandemic.
Manning returned to the field in the 2021/22 season, stepping up to his familiar role as captain. He started his 100th game as a hooker, a testament to his versatility and adaptability over the years.
The 2022/23 season marked the end of Manning’s career as a professional rugby player, with him reaching over 350 league starts. Over his ten-year career with the club, Manning was selected for 373 games, starting 360 of them. He scored 54 tries and one drop goal, amassing 273 points for the club. He never received a red card and only received two yellow cards throughout his career. He was also named man of the match eight times.
Alan Manning’s record and contributions to Bournemouth Rugby are undoubtedly exceptional, and his legacy will continue to inspire players of all ages for years to come. The club wishes him all the best in his future endeavours and thanks him for his years of dedicated service.
