Sam Cowan

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Cowan was born on 10 May 1901 in Chesterfield, but moved further north in his early years and was raised in Adwick le Street near Doncaster. He did not play football as a child, only gaining an interest in the sport when he took part in a game at a local park aged 17. He then started to play for local teams, including Adwick Juniors, Bullcroft Main Colliery and Denaby United and had an unsuccessful trial at Huddersfield Town. In 1923, Cowan gained his first professional contract following a successful trial at his local league club, Doncaster Rovers of the Third Division (North). Despite playing as a defender, during his time at Doncaster he scored regularly, including a hat-trick of headed goals against Halifax Town in March 1924. His performances gained the attention of bigger clubs, and in December 1924 he joined Manchester City, who sought a successor to the likes of Mick Hamill and Max Woosnam. 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, winning several ties by wide margins en route. However, in the final City were beaten 1–0 by Bolton Wanderers. Further disappointment followed in the league, when after a campaign characterised by erratic form, City were relegated on the final day of the season. By this time Cowan's reputation as a competent centre-back had grown, and he received an international call-up. He made his England debut on 24 May 1926 playing an unfamiliar left-half role in a 5–3 win against Belgium. By 1931, he had earned three international caps, the others gained in matches against France and Austria. He also made appearances for the Football League team, including a trial match against England in 1931. In the 1926–27 season, Cowan made 27 appearances as his club sought an immediate return to the top division. The race for promotion went to the final match, with Manchester City and Portsmouth both in contention for the second of the two promotion places. Cowan played in a resounding City win, an 8–0 victory against Bradford City. The watching crowd believed the result to be sufficient

In Their Own Story

In the 1933 FA Cup Final against Everton, Cowan was up against Everton captain Dixie Dean. Both players were renowned for their heading ability. The Daily Mail observed that Dean's presence gave Cowan a dilemma: "He was torn between a determination not to leave Dean and a desire to help his forwards. He broke down between the two." Everton were 3–0 victors. But when Cowan received his runner's up medal from the Duke of York, he remarked that he would come back next year to win. True to Cowan's word, City returned to Wembley the following year. In the 1934 FA Cup Final, Cowan became the first and thus far only Manchester City player to represent the club in three FA Cup finals. He captained City to a 2–1 victory over Portsmouth.

Reader's Guide

Samuel Cowan (10 May 1901 – 4 October 1964) was an English football player and manager. He played centre half for Manchester City for 11 seasons, captaining the team in the early to mid-1930s. Alongside David Silva and 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. 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. He returned to Manchester City as manager in 1946, winning the Second Division in his only season in charge.

Did You Know?

• Cowan did not play football until he was 17 and was 22 by the time he turned professional.
• He scored a hat-trick of headed goals for Doncaster Rovers against Halifax Town in March 1924.
• Cowan captained Manchester City to a 2–1 victory over Portsmouth in the 1934 FA Cup Final.
• He became the oldest ever Brighton player at age 44 years and 156 days in a wartime match in October 1945.
• Cowan died of a heart attack while refereeing a charity match in aid of Sussex wicket keeper Jim Parks.