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Gordon Cowans
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Gordon Sidney Cowans (born 27 October 1958) is an English retired football player and coach.
Key Information
Cowans 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.
Cowans left Aston Villa for the first time in 1985, signing for Bari. He then returned to Aston Villa in 1988 and left again in 1991 moving to Blackburn Rovers. When he left Blackburn he went back to Aston Villa, before moving to Derby County, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Sheffield United, Bradford City, Stockport County and finally Burnley.
He was also capped 10 times by England at international level scoring two goals, against Scotland and Egypt. 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.[2] Cowans is consistently rated by Villa fans as one of their 3 best ever players. Cowans returned once again to Aston Villa in a coaching role, first coaching in their youth academy before becoming first team coach and later reserve team manager.
Playing career
[edit]Aston Villa first spell
[edit]Although born in County Durham, 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, an early indication of his talent. He soon made his first team debut, on 7 February 1976 as a substitute aged 17 whilst still an apprentice. At this time, he became a member of the England youth team. Progress continued and he was soon a regular in the Villa first team during the season Villa won the League Cup against Everton. In the 1980–81 season, Cowans won the league with Villa, and during the following season, the European Cup, on 26 May 1982. 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; upon regaining full fitness he was sold to Bari in 1985 for a fee of £250,000.[3]
In his first spell at Villa he played 286 games scoring 42 goals. He also won the PFA young player of the year award, a league championship, a European Cup and a European Super Cup.
A.S. Bari
[edit]Over the course of three seasons in Italy, Cowans made 94 appearances for Bari, scoring three goals.
Aston Villa second spell
[edit]During Cowans' transfer to Bari, Villa had retained the option of first refusal to buy him back should Bari decide to sell him; in 1988, Graham Taylor took up this option – much to the pleasure of Villa supporters – and Villa went on to finish as runners-up in the league during the 1989/90 season, before Taylor left the club to manage England.
During his second spell at Aston Villa, Cowans made 117 appearances, scoring seven times.
Blackburn Rovers
[edit]Ron Atkinson sold Cowans on 28 November 1991 for £200,000 to Blackburn Rovers. He helped them gain promotion to the new FA Premier League as Second Division play-off winners at Wembley. In his time at Ewood Park he played 50 times, scoring twice.
Aston Villa third spell
[edit]He then signed on a free transfer back to Aston Villa on 5 July 1993. By the time he had left Villa for the last time he had played a total of 453 games scoring 49 goals.
Derby County
[edit]Cowans was transferred to Derby County on 3 February 1994 for £200,000. He played a total of 36 times scoring one goal.
Wolves
[edit]Cowans was transferred to Wolves on 19 December 1994 for £20,000, signing again for Graham Taylor. He made his debut on 26 December 1994 in a 4–1 defeat at Oldham Athletic aged 36. He went on to make 37 appearances for Wolves six of which were as a substitute.[4]
Sheffield United
[edit]Cowans was one of the first signings that new Sheffield United boss Howard Kendall made after replacing Dave Bassett in late 1995. Cowans was a key part of the side as it rose clear from the relegation zone, and of the passing style that Kendall introduced to the club.[5] He played in the FA Cup 3rd round replay win over Arsenal that set up a 4th round tie with his former team Aston Villa. Cowans played 21 times for Sheffield United, and was surprisingly not given an extended deal by Kendall, instead leaving the club in summer 1996.
Bradford City
[edit]Cowans was signed by Chris Kamara in 1996 for Bradford City following their promotion to Division One. He made a total of 25 league appearances (one as substitute) and two League Cup games, without scoring, before being given a free transfer to Stockport County in March 1997.
Stockport County
[edit]In his short time with Stockport Cowans made seven appearances, scoring no goals.
Burnley
[edit]Cowans played six times for Burnley, scoring no goals.
Coaching career
[edit]Cowans started his coaching career at Burnley before moving back to Villa Park for a fourth time to become youth team coach, then going on to become first team coach during Gérard Houllier's reign. With the departure of Houllier, the Villa hierarchy let it be known that both Cowans and Kevin MacDonald would have futures at the club no matter who the new manager was.[6] In April 2014 Aston Villa suspended Ian Culverhouse, their assistant manager and Gary Karsa, the head of football operations pending an internal investigation. Cowans and veteran goalkeeper Shay Given were temporarily promoted in their place.[7]
Honours
[edit]Aston Villa
- Football League First Division: 1980–81
- Football League Cup: 1976–77
- FA Charity Shield: 1981 (shared)[8]
- European Cup: 1981–82
- European Super Cup: 1982
- Intercontinental Cup runner-up: 1982
Blackburn Rovers
Championship Play Off winners: 1992
Individual
External links
[edit]- Gordon Cowans at Soccerbase
- Player profile at Aston Villa Players Database
References
[edit]- ^ Rollin, Jack, ed. (1980). Rothmans Football Yearbook 1980–81. London: Queen Anne Press. p. 54. ISBN 0362020175.
- ^ "My Villa Dream Team: Derek Mountfield Ultimate XI". Aston Villa Football Club.
- ^ "Gordon Cowans – Aston Villa". Sporting heroes.
- ^ "Gordon Cowans – Wolves". Sporting heroes.
- ^ "Kendall relights the fire". The Independent. Ian Ridley. 28 January 1996. Retrieved 7 January 2018.
- ^ Nixon, Alan. Sparky Wants Randy Call: Hughes Keen on Villa Despite Snub The People, 12 June 2011
- ^ "Aston Villa suspend Lambert lieutenants to clear 'poisonous atmosphere'". The Guardian. 15 April 2014. Retrieved 16 April 2014.
- ^ "1981/82 Charity Shield". footballsite.co.uk. Retrieved 4 November 2019.
- ^ Lynch. The Official P.F.A. Footballers Heroes. p. 149.
Gordon Cowans
View on GrokipediaEarly life
Birth and upbringing
Gordon Sidney Cowans was born on 27 October 1958 in West Cornforth, a village in County Durham, England.[1] The community of West Cornforth emerged in the mid-19th century alongside the development of Thrislington Colliery (also known as West Cornforth Colliery), which drove population growth and instilled a strong mining heritage that influenced daily life, employment, and social bonds among residents.[7][8][9] Cowans' family embodied the area's working-class mining roots; his father worked as a miner, leading to a relocation from the North East to Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, when Cowans was about nine years old to pursue opportunities in the colliery there.[10] Physically, from his youth, Cowans measured 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m) tall, a stature that complemented his agile build.[11] In 1974, Cowans transitioned to professional football by joining Aston Villa as an apprentice.[1]Youth career at Aston Villa
Gordon Cowans, born in West Cornforth, County Durham, joined Aston Villa as a 15-year-old apprentice in July 1974 after being scouted while playing schoolboy football in Mansfield. He was first spotted by Villa scout Neville Briggs at age 10 while playing for his school team, leading to ongoing interest from the club.[12][13][10] His family played a key role in his early days at the club, with his parents managing the apprentice hostel on Chester Road to support the young players' accommodation and welfare.[12] During his apprenticeship, Cowans trained rigorously at Villa's Bodymoor Heath facility, focusing on physical conditioning and technical skills under the youth development staff, including early routines like foot treatments in surgical spirit to build resilience.[12] Cowans honed his passing and vision in the club's youth setup, progressing through internal matches and training sessions that emphasized ball control and tactical awareness.[12][14] In August 1976, just before turning 18, Cowans signed his first professional contract with Aston Villa, marking the end of his youth phase and the beginning of his senior career pathway.[13][14] This transition reflected his rapid development as a creative central midfielder, known for his silky dribbling and precise distribution, qualities nurtured entirely within Villa's academy system.[14]Club career
Aston Villa (1976–1985)
Gordon Cowans made his senior debut for Aston Villa on 7 February 1976, coming on as a substitute in a 2-1 league defeat to Manchester City at the age of 17. Over the next nine years, he established himself as a key midfielder, making 286 league appearances and scoring 42 goals.[15] Cowans played a significant role in Aston Villa's 1976–77 Football League Cup campaign, appearing in the final second replay against Everton on 13 April 1977 at Old Trafford, where Villa secured a 3–2 victory to claim the trophy.[13] His contributions continued to grow in subsequent seasons, culminating in a pivotal part in the 1980–81 First Division title win, where he featured in 42 league matches and netted five goals, helping Villa finish four points clear of Ipswich Town.[16] In the 1981–82 season, Cowans was instrumental in Aston Villa's European Cup triumph, starting in several matches during the knockout stages and contributing to the 1–0 final victory over Bayern Munich on 26 May 1982 at De Kuip in Rotterdam.[17] Later that year, he scored the opening goal from a penalty in the 1982 European Super Cup second leg against Barcelona on 19 January 1983 at Villa Park, securing a 3–0 win and a 3–1 aggregate success.[18] Cowans' progress was halted by a serious injury on 18 August 1983, when he suffered a double leg fracture during a pre-season friendly against a Mexican side on a tour in Spain, causing him to miss the entire 1983–84 season.[12] Upon regaining fitness in 1984–85, he struggled to reclaim his place in the team and was transferred to A.S. Bari in Serie A for £250,000 in July 1985.[19]A.S. Bari (1985–1988)
In the summer of 1985, following his recovery from a leg fracture sustained in 1983, Gordon Cowans transferred from Aston Villa to newly promoted A.S. Bari in Serie A for a fee of £250,000.[19] This move marked one of the early instances of an English player venturing into Italian football during a period when British players faced significant hurdles abroad. At Bari, Cowans was deployed as a creative midfielder, tasked with providing vision and passing in a squad aiming to establish itself in the competitive Serie A environment.[20] Over three seasons, Cowans made 94 league appearances and scored 3 goals for Bari, contributing to their efforts in both Serie A and Serie B after relegation.[11] His debut came in late October 1985, in a 2-0 derby victory over Lecce, though a delayed start due to lingering injury effects limited his early impact. Bari, as a mid-table Serie A side in their debut top-flight campaign, relied on Cowans' technical skills to compete against elite opponents, including notable results like a win over Roma and a draw at AC Milan's San Siro. However, the team struggled overall, finishing 15th and facing a tense relegation battle before dropping to Serie B at the end of the 1985-86 season.[20] Cowans encountered substantial challenges adapting to Italian football, including a language barrier as he arrived without speaking Italian, which complicated on-field communication and daily life. Cultural differences, such as the intense summer heat and higher crime rates in Bari compared to England, added to the adjustment, while tactical disparities—marked by Italy's emphasis on technical precision and defensive organization—contrasted sharply with the more physical, direct style of English football. These obstacles tested his resilience, particularly in Serie B where squad quality declined and frustrations mounted, yet he fulfilled his three-year contract before returning to England in 1988 amid Bari's ongoing lower-division struggles.[20]Aston Villa (1988–1991)
Cowans rejoined Aston Villa from A.S. Bari on 13 July 1988 for a transfer fee of £250,000, bringing valuable experience from his three-year stint in Italian football that had matured his playing style.[21] Under manager Graham Taylor, he quickly re-established himself in the midfield, forming part of a competitive squad in the First Division. During his second spell at Villa, which lasted until November 1991, Cowans made 117 appearances across all competitions, scoring 7 goals.[19] He was a key midfielder in the 1989–90 season, contributing significantly to the team's strong campaign that culminated in a second-place finish in the First Division, earning him a runners-up medal.[19][22] His vision and passing ability helped drive Villa's attacking play, though the club experienced inconsistent results overall, finishing 17th in both 1988–89 and 1990–91.[23][24] Cowans departed Villa on 28 November 1991, transferred to Blackburn Rovers for £200,000 amid squad changes initiated by new manager Ron Atkinson, who had replaced Jozef Vengloš earlier that summer.[25][26]Blackburn Rovers (1991–1993)
In November 1991, at the age of 33, Gordon Cowans transferred from Aston Villa to Blackburn Rovers for a fee of £200,000, signing under manager Kenny Dalglish to provide experienced leadership in midfield.[15][19] As a veteran with over 400 appearances for Villa, Cowans was tasked with organizing the midfield and mentoring younger players during Blackburn's push for promotion from the Second Division. During his two seasons at Ewood Park, Cowans made 50 league appearances and scored 2 goals, contributing steadily to the team's campaign in the 1991–92 season.[15] His influence was particularly notable in the midfield, where his passing and composure helped stabilize Blackburn's play as they finished fourth in the Second Division and qualified for the play-offs.[19] Cowans played a key role in Blackburn's promotion to the Premier League by featuring in the 1992 Second Division Play-Off Final against Leicester City at Wembley Stadium on 25 May 1992, which Rovers won 1–0 thanks to a goal from Mike Newell.[15][27] During the match, Cowans delivered a notable free kick that created pressure on Leicester's defense, underscoring his tactical importance in the victory. This success marked Blackburn's return to the top flight after a 16-year absence. In July 1993, as Blackburn prepared to compete in the inaugural Premier League season with ambitions for higher finishes, Cowans departed on a free transfer to rejoin Aston Villa for a third spell.[15][19]Aston Villa (1993–1994)
Cowans rejoined Aston Villa for a third spell on 5 July 1993, signing on a free transfer from Blackburn Rovers.[15] At the age of 34, he returned to his boyhood club to offer midfield depth amid ongoing squad rebuilding efforts under manager Ron Atkinson.[19] During the 1993–94 season, Cowans featured in 11 Premier League matches without scoring, often from the substitutes' bench or in a rotational capacity.[16] His role was predominantly as a squad player, leveraging his extensive experience to mentor younger teammates during a transitional phase for the club, which saw them secure the Football League Cup while finishing 10th in the top flight.[19] This brief return brought his total appearances for Aston Villa across three spells to 510, with 58 goals.[3] Cowans departed Villa in February 1994, transferring to Derby County for £200,000 on 3 February.[28]Derby County (1994)
In February 1994, Gordon Cowans transferred to Derby County from Aston Villa for a fee of £200,000, bringing his extensive experience to the club's midfield as they pushed for promotion in the First Division.[28] Cowans quickly integrated into the squad under manager Roy McFarland, providing creative influence and stability to a relatively young team during the latter stages of the 1993–94 season.[29] His veteran presence helped anchor the midfield, contributing to Derby's solid form that saw them finish sixth in the league table and secure a place in the promotion playoffs.[30] Over his tenure at Derby, Cowans made 36 league appearances without scoring in league play. His one goal for the club came in the playoff semi-final first leg against Millwall on 15 May 1994, where he opened the scoring in a 2–0 home victory at the Baseball Ground, helping Derby take a strong advantage into the second leg.[31][15] The Rams advanced with a 3–2 aggregate win but fell short in the final at Wembley Stadium, losing 2–1 to Leicester City after extra time on 30 May 1994.[32]Wolverhampton Wanderers (1994–1995)
Cowans joined Wolverhampton Wanderers from Derby County on 19 December 1994 for a transfer fee of £20,000, linking up once again with manager Graham Taylor, whom he had previously worked under at Aston Villa.[15][33] The 36-year-old midfielder brought significant experience to the squad, serving as a veteran presence in the engine room during Wolves' competitive campaign in the First Division.[34] He featured in 37 league appearances without registering a goal, helping to anchor the midfield and developing a strong on-pitch understanding with prolific striker Steve Bull.[35][34] Under Taylor's guidance, Wolverhampton Wanderers mounted a strong promotion challenge, ultimately finishing fourth in the 1994–95 First Division table to qualify for the playoffs.[36] However, they were eliminated in the semi-finals by Bolton Wanderers, winning 2–1 in the first leg at Molineux before a 2–0 extra-time defeat in the return fixture at Burnden Park, resulting in a 3–2 aggregate loss.[37] Cowans departed Wolverhampton Wanderers in December 1995, transferring to Sheffield United on a free transfer as part of his shift toward the latter stages of his professional career in the lower tiers.[15]Sheffield United (1995–1996)
Gordon Cowans joined Sheffield United on a free transfer from Wolverhampton Wanderers in December 1995, at the age of 37, during the 1995–96 season in the Football League First Division.[15][11] His debut came on 13 January 1996 in a 1–1 league draw away at Tranmere Rovers.[38] Over the remainder of the season, Cowans made 20 league appearances for the Blades (18 starts and 2 as a substitute), contributing midfield experience to the squad without scoring any goals.[11] He also featured in 3 FA Cup ties, including a notable 1–1 third-round draw against Arsenal, again without finding the net.[38][16] Sheffield United, managed by Howard Kendall, finished second in the division and reached the promotion playoffs but were eliminated in the semi-finals by Crystal Palace; Cowans' veteran presence helped stabilize the midfield during this push for promotion.[38] Despite his contributions, Cowans was not offered an extended contract at the end of the season and left Bramall Lane in the summer of 1996, subsequently joining Bradford City on another free transfer.[15][38] This brief spell marked one of the final chapters in his playing career, as he transitioned toward retirement the following year.[11]Bradford City (1996–1997)
Cowans joined Bradford City on a free transfer from Sheffield United in August 1996, following the club's promotion to the Second Division after finishing as runners-up in Division Three the previous season.[15] Signed by manager Chris Kamara, the 37-year-old midfielder brought significant experience to the squad as they aimed to establish themselves in the higher tier. In the 1996–97 season, Cowans made 25 league appearances for Bradford City, primarily in central midfield, but did not score any goals.[16] As a veteran player, he helped marshal the team's midfield, providing stability and leadership on the pitch during matches such as the 3–1 home win over Portsmouth on his debut in August 1996.[39] His contributions extended off the field, where his extensive career background allowed him to mentor younger players in the squad.[40] Cowans' time at Bradford City concluded in March 1997 when he departed the club after less than a full season.[15]Stockport County (1997)
In March 1997, Gordon Cowans joined Stockport County on a free transfer, marking a brief chapter in his career as he entered the latter stages of his playing days.[15] During the 1996–97 Second Division season, he made seven league appearances for the club without scoring any goals, reflecting his limited involvement in the squad.[41] Of these outings, six were starts and one came as a substitute, often in the closing matches of the campaign as Stockport secured promotion to the First Division.[41] His stint at Stockport lasted until August 1997, after which he transferred to Burnley on a non-contract basis.[15]Burnley (1997)
In August 1997, Gordon Cowans joined Burnley on a non-contract basis under player-manager Chris Waddle, initially forming part of the club's backroom staff while remaining eligible to play.[42][15] During the 1997–98 season in the Second Division, Cowans made six appearances for Burnley but did not score any goals.[16] He retired from playing at the end of 1997, concluding a professional career that encompassed 690 league appearances and 54 goals.[15] Upon retirement, Cowans transitioned directly into a coaching position as Burnley's reserve team coach.[43][15]International career
Youth internationals
Gordon Cowans began his international experience with the England Youth team (under-18 level), earning three caps during the 1976 Tournoi Juniors de Monaco, where he featured against Spain (3-0 win), West Germany (1-1 draw), and Yugoslavia (0-3 loss), without scoring.[44] These appearances highlighted his early potential as a midfielder in national youth setups. Progressing through the ranks, Cowans secured five caps for the England U21 team between 1979 and 1980, including victories over Wales (1-0), Sweden (2-1), and a 5-0 win against Bulgaria, as well as matches against East Germany (1-2 loss on 19 April 1980) and Romania (0-4 loss on 14 October 1980), though he did not score in any match.[45] He also represented the England B team twice, starting in a 1-0 friendly win over Australia A on 17 November 1980 at St Andrew's, Birmingham, and a 2-0 friendly victory against Czechoslovakia on 24 April 1990 at Roker Park, Sunderland, again without goals.[15] In these youth and developmental internationals, Cowans developed as a central midfielder renowned for his guile, precise passing, and disciplined play, laying the foundation for his professional career.[46] His rising form at Aston Villa during this era contributed to his selections for these England youth teams.[46]Senior career
Gordon Cowans made his senior debut for the England national team on 23 February 1983, starting in a 2–1 victory over Wales in the British Home Championship at Wembley Stadium.[2][15] This appearance marked the beginning of a selective international career influenced by his strong midfield performances at Aston Villa during their European Cup-winning era.[47] Over the next seven years, Cowans earned a total of 10 caps for England between 1983 and 1990, during which he scored two goals.[2][48][49] His first international goal came on 1 June 1983, when he netted England's second in a 2–0 win against Scotland in the British Home Championship, showcasing his precise passing and vision in midfield.[50][46] Cowans' second goal arrived on 29 January 1986, in a friendly match against Egypt in Cairo, where he struck a right-footed shot from 22 yards to seal a 4–0 victory for England, completing the scoring after contributions from Trevor Steven, an own goal, and Danny Wallace.[51][52][53] These moments highlighted his ability to contribute offensively on the international stage, though his call-ups were intermittent due to competition in the midfield. His final appearance came on 14 November 1990, in a 1–1 draw against the Republic of Ireland during the European Championship qualifiers, capping a senior international record of 10 appearances and 2 goals.[2] Including his earlier youth-level involvements—such as 3 caps for the England Youth team in 1976 and 5 for the Under-21 side between 1979 and 1980, plus 2 for the B team from 1980 to 1990—Cowans amassed 20 total appearances for various England squads without additional youth goals.[54]Career statistics
Club
| Club | Years | League appearances | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aston Villa | 1976–1985 | 286 | 42 |
| Bari | 1985–1988 | 94 | 3 |
| Aston Villa | 1988–1991 | 117 | 7 |
| Blackburn Rovers | 1991–1993 | 50 | 2 |
| Aston Villa | 1993–1994 | 11 | 0 |
| Derby County | 1994 | 36 | 0 |
| Wolverhampton Wanderers | 1994–1995 | 37 | 0 |
| Sheffield United | 1995–1996 | 20 | 0 |
| Bradford City | 1996–1997 | 25 | 0 |
| Stockport County | 1997 | 7 | 0 |
| Burnley | 1997 | 6 | 0 |
| Career total | 689 | 54 |
International
Cowans earned 20 caps across various England international levels during his career, spanning from youth appearances in 1977 to his final senior cap in 1990.[15] His international statistics are summarized below:| Level | Appearances | Goals | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| England Youth | 3 | 0 | 1977 |
| England U21 | 5 | 0 | 1979–1980 |
| England B | 2 | 0 | 1980–1990 |
| England Senior | 10 | 2 | 1983–1990 |
| Total | 20 | 2 |
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