Allan Riding appeared in one FA Cup tie and one league game for Exeter City in the mid-1960s. Playing for City on a semi-professional basis, whilst working as an accountant, he later joined Yeovil Town. 

Previously an amateur with the club, Allan signed a part-time professional contract for Exeter City in July 1964 as he continued to work as an accountant for Devon County Council. He made his debut in the FA Cup against Shrewsbury Town on 5 December 1964 and appeared once in the Football League at Scunthorpe on 19 February 1966. 

Asking for a transfer in April 1966, Allan was released at the end of the season and signed for Yeovil Town together with Grecians team mate Graham Rees.  Later playing for Minehead and Bridport, he was forced to stop playing football in 1970 because of knee ligament injury by which time he was living in Ringwood and working in Lyndhurst. He later settled in Ascot.