Sam Cowan

Lore & Background

Cowan played centre half for Manchester City for 11 seasons, captaining the team in the early to mid-1930s. Alongside Vincent Kompany, he is the only other player to have represented Manchester City in three FA Cup finals, as a runner-up in 1926 and 1933, and as a winner in 1934. Internationally, he gained three England caps between 1926 and 1931. In total he played 407 times for Manchester City, putting him 12th in terms of all-time appearances. In 1935, he transferred to Bradford City, and subsequently moved to Mossley as player-manager. In 1938, Cowan joined Brighton & Hove Albion as a coach, and set up a physiotherapy business. He returned to Manchester City as manager in 1946, winning the Second Division in his only season in charge. He continued to work in sports and physiotherapy until his death in 1964.

Reader's Guide

Cowan made his Manchester City debut in a 2–2 draw against Birmingham City on 20 December 1924, and scored his first goal for the club two weeks later, against Nottingham Forest. He played in all but one of the remaining league matches that season, 21 in total. Starting all but four of Manchester City's matches in the 1925–26 season, Cowan was a key part of the team which reached the 1926 FA Cup Final. Cowan's final season at Maine Road was 1934–35, in which he was ever-present. His final match for the club was a 5–0 defeat of Wolverhampton Wanderers on 4 May 1935. In total he made 407 appearances for Manchester City, scoring 24 goals. As of 2008 he ranks 12th all-time for Manchester City appearances.

Did You Know?

• He scored a hat-trick of headed goals for Doncaster Rovers against Halifax Town in March 1924.
• He became the oldest ever Brighton player at age 44 years and 156 days in a wartime match.
• He died of a heart attack while refereeing a charity match in aid of Sussex wicket keeper Jim Parks.
• A street near Manchester City's former ground Maine Road, Sam Cowan Close, is named in his honour.