After suffering the knee injury that ended his career, Alston's son Adrian Jr was diagnosed with Legg–Calvé–Perthes disease, a hip disorder. He soon spent the majority of his earnings made during his football career and moved back to England to set up a hotel with his brother Alex in Blackpool. However, after just four months, Alston grew unsettled and decided to return to Australia, eventually moving to Illawarra. Alston signed a three-year contract with the Wollongong City in 1983. Prior to the season seven of his players were sold to rival league clubs due to Wollongong's financial troubles. Wollongong finished second last in National Soccer League and Alston left the club.