My name is Alan Morris, though most people don’t actually call me Alan. Over the years, I’ve picked up a few nicknames, and I can usually tell where someone's from by which one they use. If you knew me in England, you’d almost certainly call me Gooner. If you met me after I moved to Spain, you’d probably know me as Sharky.
Why “Gooner”?
I’m a lifelong Arsenal supporter. Arsenal’s nickname is the Gunners, and the fans are known as Gooners. One day, many years ago, a friend called me “Gooner” in conversation. Someone overheard it, repeated it, and before long, the name stuck. It spread so far that even people who didn’t know my real name called me Gooner. In the UK, that’s still what most people call me.
Why “Sharky”?
In 2014, while taking a short break in Spain, I became seriously ill and ended up losing a large part of my right leg. The scar looks like I’ve survived a shark attack. A few friends in Spain told people exactly that as a joke, and the nickname “Sharky” has been with me ever since. In Spain, that’s the name people know me by.
A Little History.
I was born in Walthamstow, London, and moved to Fareham, Hampshire, when I was four. Fareham is where I grew up, went to school, had my first girlfriend, and started my first job. Since then, I’ve lived in Orlando, Florida, and now in Los Alcázares, Murcia, Spain. I’ve always enjoyed getting out, meeting new people, and trying new things.
In September 1990, I had a life‑changing car accident. I spent three months in intensive care and a year in hospital rehab. I still deal with the after‑effects today, including the loss of sight in one eye and memory problems from brain damage. After the accident, I decided to start working through my Bucket List. Travel quickly became my biggest passion, and I’ve fallen in love with escorted coach tours and cruising. I spend a lot of time planning future trips and imagining how I’ll spend my lottery winnings when my numbers finally come up.
When my mum became ill in 2007, I became her full‑time carer. In 2014, I took a short break in Spain, and that’s when I became seriously ill with Necrotising Fasciitis and Sepsis. While I was in intensive care in Madrid, my mum passed away in the UK. Recovering from both the illness and the loss took a long time.
Life in Spain.
I now live permanently in Los Alcázares, Murcia. My doctor in England agreed it was the best thing for my health. The warmer weather helps my breathing, and the flat boardwalk along the Mar Menor gives me a chance to get gentle exercise with plenty of places to rest. Between late April and early November, I usually go for a morning swim in the Mar Menor.
In 2018, I spent 12 days in a Murcia hospital being treated for Deep Vein Thrombosis, which made exercise more difficult. I still swim when I can, and for longer distances, I rely on my scooter rather than walking.
In 2021, I had a hernia operation. Unfortunately, I was discharged too early and ended up back in the hospital for another 11 days with an infection. Never a dull moment.
Work Experience.
I’ve had more jobs than most people have had hot dinners. At fourteen, I had a paper round and worked part‑time in the local paper shop, cleaning, stocking shelves, and doing a football pools round. At fifteen, I moved on to weekend work at a garden centre, first as a yard boy helping customers, then as a cashier. I left the garden centre the same week I left school.
After school, I began a three‑year apprenticeship with British Gas, becoming a Gas Service Engineer until my car accident in 1990. After that, I worked for British Gas and Transco in office roles.
After leaving Transco on redundancy, I moved to Orlando, Florida, where I worked as a swimming pool cleaner and a taxi driver. Back in the UK, I became a website designer for companies including The Dixon Group and Wandsworth Borough Council, and I worked for British Telecom trying to break their website (successfully, I add). I also worked as a Senior IT Technician at Alton Sixth Form College.
Between the bigger jobs, I’ve worked at ASDA as a customer service assistant, at Travelex as a Travel Money Advisor, behind the bar in various pubs, and even taught computer lessons at the local library.
What I’m Doing Now.
It’s 2026, and I’ve now lived in Los Alcázares for eleven years. I am trying to travel as much as I can while I still can. I booked a huge trip for 2026 that included Australia and New Zealand, and I have just got back from it. I will soon start uploading details, photos and videos.
Social Media.
While I was in hospital in 2025, a friend posted on my Farcebook page asking how I was and whether I was in pain. I replied that I was getting good drugs and they were helping, and Farcebook promptly banned me for life, for breaking their Gun and Drug policies. Apparently, being tagged in a hospital bed with tubes sticking out of me was enough to break their rules. Meanwhile, scammers clone profiles every day, and nothing happens to them. Go figure.
Because of the ban, I lost touch with hundreds of people. I’ve now set up new accounts on Mastodon and Bluesky, both similar to Farcebook but without the adverts and nonsense. It’ll take time to rebuild my contacts, but if you’re someone I’ve lost touch with, feel free to reach out via email, Mastodon, or Bluesky.
Social media update.
After 11 months, Farcebook have allowed me to open a new account. I have started using it again, but because of its past treatment of me, I will use it mainly as a way to keep in touch with people. I now prefer both Bluesky and Mastodon, which don't bombard me with advertising and news stories from fake, clickbait accounts.
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