Career Record for Featherstone
Appearances			Tries	Goals	Drop Goals	Points
Total	Start	Sub
214	214	0	41	0	0	123

A member of another famous Featherstone footballing family, Alan's father Buff Lord played for Hull KR and his brothers' Walt and Nelson for the Rovers. He had captained a very successful intermediate side and scored 46 tries in 1947/48, after which he was pursued by many clubs but chose to trial with the Rovers. Given his family background, it is not surprising that his preference lay with his home-town club.

He played his first game on the wing under the name of 'Jackson' at Dewsbury on 25 December 1948, with his brother Walt as centre. He scored a try and repeated the act at home against Castleford in the Boxing Day encounter, and he was then signed for what was reported to be the highest fee paid for a junior player.

He was back in his preferred position of centre in 1949/50 and benefited from a brief partnership with Don Graham, the Australian centre who inspired Rovers in early 1950 and described Tennant as one of the most promising three-quarters in the game. National Service intervened, but Tennant established himself upon his return and launched into one of his most successful seasons in 1951/52 with 41 appearances. He was a vital member of the 1952 side culminating in the historic visit to Wembley in April 1952.  Although not a regular try-scorer, his two tries at home to Castleford in December 1951 won the game 15-10 for Rovers, an important victory as Rovers struggled in the league despite their Cup success.

Although he was the most consistent player in 1953/54 with 37 appearances, he lost his regular place shortly afterwards but, typically, was content to lend his experience to the 'A' team and yet be available when necessary for senior team duty. He enjoyed spells between 1956 and 1958 and was a member of the team which performed heroics in the 1958 Challenge Cup, including the famous 5-0 defeat of St Helens before losing out in the semi-final to Workington. He also re-appeared against the Australians in November 1959, when he scored in the convincing 23-15 victory, but at the end of that season he decided to retire.

The club had granted him a testimonial in 1958/59 and the tribute he earned from the local Express summed up his career so aptly: 'His career was like a beacon. After Wembley at twenty-one, he accepted 'A' team football three years later with an enthusiasm which did him great credit. His example did much for inexperienced youngsters, and all the time he was fit and ready to answer the call for the senior team. He was the rugged, rather than the classic centre, hampered from reaching the heights because his pace never matched his undoubted strength. Defence was his main feature and he has marked and floored the best.' At his peak, his forceful bursts down the centre and his weaving runs were likened to his brother Walt and few could surpass his consistent tackling and close marking. Above all, he typified the ideal club man.

Biography by Ron Bailey