Gordon Cowans

Aston Villa legend and two-footed midfield maestro who won the European Cup and returned to the club multiple times as player and coach.

via Wikipedia: Gordon Cowans · see source

Gordon Sidney Cowans (born 27 October 1958) is an English retired football player and coach. He started his career at Aston Villa as an apprentice in 1974, and signed as a professional in 1976. During his time at Aston Villa, he won the League Cup, the League Championship, the European Cup and the European Super Cup. He was also capped 10 times by England at international level scoring two goals, against Scotland and Egypt.

Quick Facts

Full name: Gordon Sidney Cowans
Born: 27 October 1958
Birthplace: West Cornforth, County Durham, England
Position: Midfielder

Lore & Background

Cowans came to Villa as an apprentice in 1973 at 15, and was part of the talented youth team that won the FA Youth Cup. He made his first team debut on 7 February 1976 as a substitute aged 17. In his first spell at Villa he played 286 games scoring 42 goals. He won the PFA young player of the year award, a league championship, a European Cup and a European Super Cup.

On 18 August 1983 Cowans suffered a double fracture of the right leg during a pre-season friendly in Zaragoza Spain against Mexican side FC America and missed the whole 1983–84 season. He was sold to Bari in 1985 for £250,000. Over three seasons in Italy, Cowans made 94 appearances for Bari, scoring three goals. He returned to Aston Villa in 1988, making 117 appearances and scoring seven times.

He was sold to Blackburn Rovers on 28 November 1991 for £200,000, helping them gain promotion to the new FA Premier League as Second Division play-off winners. He played 50 times for Blackburn, scoring twice. He then signed on a free transfer back to Aston Villa on 5 July 1993. By the time he left Villa for the last time he had played a total of 453 games scoring 49 goals.

He was transferred to Derby County on 3 February 1994 for £200,000, playing 36 times and scoring one goal. He was transferred to Wolves on 19 December 1994 for £20,000, making 37 appearances. He then played for Sheffield United (21 appearances), Bradford City (25 league appearances, two League Cup games, no goals), Stockport County (7 appearances, no goals), and Burnley (6 appearances, no goals). He started his coaching career at Burnley before moving back to Villa Park for a fourth time to become youth team coach, then first team coach during Gérard Houllier's reign.

In April 2014 Aston Villa suspended Ian Culverhouse and Gary Karsa; Cowans and Shay Given were temporarily promoted in their place.

Reader's Guide

Cowans is consistently rated by Villa fans as one of their 3 best ever players. According to former Aston Villa team-mate Derek Mountfield, Cowans was the best two-footed player he ever played with, capable of tough tackling and making spectacular assists.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which major trophies did he win with Villa?

Cowans helped the team secure the League Championship in 1980-81 and famously won the European Cup in 1982. He also claimed victory in the European Super Cup shortly after their continental triumph.