Alan Mannus (born 19 May 1982) is a Northern Irish professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Shamrock Rovers. He began his career at Linfield, and during his time there he had spells on loan at Larne and Carrick Rangers. He then signed for Shamrock Rovers and in 2011, moved to St Johnstone. He has played for Northern Ireland at international level.
Career
Linfield
After rising through Linfield's junior ranks, Mannus made his first senior squad appearance in 2002. He established himself as the club's first choice goalkeeper at a young age and made his 250th appearance before his 25th birthday.
Mannus is one of the few goalkeepers to have scored a goal in the run of play. In a match against Omagh Town in 2003, his long goal kick bounced over the head of opposing goalkeeper Gavin Cullen and into the net. As a result of scoring his first goal, he was given the Player of the Month award for October 2003. At the end of the 2003–04 season, Mannus signed a two-year contract with the club.
During his career at Linfield, Mannus helped the club win trophies, such as the Irish League/Irish Premier League, Irish League Cup and County Antrim Shield. In April 2008, Mannus was named the 2007–08 Ulster Footballer of the Year.
During his time at Linfield, Mannus was mentioned as a transfer target for a number of clubs, being linked to Everton in January 2005, Doncaster Rovers in April 2005 and Motherwell in December 2008. In August 2006, Mannus turned professional at Linfield and signed a three-year deal.
In November 2008, Mannus turned down the offer of a new contract by Linfield. and by April 2009, Linfield Manager David Jeffrey said he expected Mannus would leave the club and try to get a move to a club in England or Scotland.
At the end of his contract Mannus was linked with a move to Swansea City, and was reported to be training with Falkirk In July 2009, he was given a trial with English League Two side Bradford City, but after playing three games without conceding a goal, he was released and returned home.
Shamrock Rovers
In August 2009, Mannus signed for Shamrock Rovers. A week after joining, he made his debut for Michael O'Neill's side in a 2–2 draw against Dundalk on 22 August 2009.
In his second season at the club, Shamrock Rovers won the 2010 League of Ireland. After winning his first title at the club, Mannus said he had no regrets about the move, even if it harmed his international career.
Mannus was nominated for the PFAI Players' Player of the Year award in 2010, but lost out to Richie Ryan of Sligo Rovers. He was awarded the Soccer Writers Association of Ireland Goalkeeper of the Year Award for 2010.
In his final match for the club, Mannus kept a clean sheet in a 0–0 draw away to Flora Tallinn on 19 July 2011, in the Champions League Second qualifying round second leg meaning Shamrock Rovers went through to the next round, winning 1–0 on aggregate.
St Johnstone
Mannus signed a one-year contract with St Johnstone on 21 July 2011, after invoking a clause in his Shamrock Rovers contract that allowed him to leave if a British club made an offer after 20 July 2011. Initially Mannus was a back-up goalkeeper behind Peter Enckelman, but after Enckelman conceded five goals against Dundee United, with two of the goals coming from his mistakes, Mannus was given his chance, making his debut for the club in the Scottish Cup Fifth round replay, as St Johnstone lost 2–1 against Hearts on 14 February 2012. He then made his league debut for the club in the following game, on 19 February 2012, in a 0–0 draw against Aberdeen. After getting into the team, Mannus said he believed playing first team football would help his international career. At the end of the season he signed a 12-month extension.
In the 2012–13 season, Mannus helped St Johnstone to finish in third place in the SPL, ensuring qualification for the Europa League. At the end of the season, he signed another one-year contract with the club.
The 2013–14 season started well for Mannus, keeping a clean sheet as St Johnstone won 1–0 away to Norwegian side Rosenberg on 18 July 2013, in the Europa League second qualifying round first leg. After drawing 1–1 in the second leg St Johnstone went through 2–1 on aggregate, afterwards Mannus suggested that Rosenberg had been "arrogant" and had underestimated St Johnstone. In the next round St Johnstone won away from home in the first leg again, beating Minsk 1–0, but lost by the same scoreline at home in the second leg and were then defeated on penalties, despite Mannus saving twice during the shoot-out.