Born in Preston, Alston was playing as an apprentice at his hometown club Preston North End where his older brother Alec Alston had made over 100 appearances before leaving in 1962. He was spotted playing a youth team match by Jimmy Kelly, who was the manager of Fleetwood and who took Alston to Fleetwood during the 1967-68. His brother Alec was already playing at Fleetwood that season. Kelly had previously spent four seasons playing in Australia and planned to return in 1968. Despite not yet turning professional, Kelly offered Alston a deal which quadrupled the wages he had been receiving at Preston to move to Australia and join South Coast United on an initial six-month loan deal. He had been playing with Preston for one year and was convinced to move after being told that the "heavy grounds" in England did not suit his playing style. Alston was due to be married at the time but convinced his fiancée Doreen to make the move with him.
