Sam Cowan
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sam Cowan (May 10, 1901 - October 4, 1964) was an English football player and manager.
Cowan was born in Chesterfield. After a spell with Doncaster Rovers, he joined Manchester City in December 1924, where he built a reputation as one of the most competent centre-backs of his time. Between 1926 and 1931, Cowan earned three England international caps in matches against France, Belgium and Austria. He also made appearances for the Football League team and played an England trial match against in 1931.
At Manchester City, Cowan helped the club to reach three FA Cup finals. They lost to Bolton Wanderers in 1926 and to Everton in 1933, where Cowan, as he was receiving his runner's up medal from King George V, told the King that he'd come back next year to win [1]. Sure enough in the FA Cup Final 1934 Cowan captained City to a 2-1 victory over Portsmouth. Cowan was also a key player in Manchester City Division Two championship season in 1928. His period at the club was finished after 407 appearances and 24 goals, as Bradford City signed him for a fee of £2,000 in 1935.
In 1937, Cowan was appointed player-manager at Mossley. He led the club to the 7th place in the Cheshire League and to the Manchester Challenge Shield title. In the pitch, he played 39 matches and scored one goal. At the end of the season Cowan resigned to join Brighton & Hove Albion coaching staff. In 1946, he became Manchester City manager. Despite achieving the Division Two title in his first season in charge, Cowan resigned in June 1947 as he favoured life in Brighton.
Cowan later worked with physiotherapy for cricket club Sussex CCC and ice hockey team Brighton. He died aged 62, while refereeing a cricket charity match in aid of Sussex wicket keeper Jim Parks.
