| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Alan Edwin Gowling | ||
| Date of birth | 16 March 1949 | ||
| Place of birth | Stockport, England | ||
| Playing position | Forward | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 1966–1972 | Manchester United | 71 | (18) |
| 1972–1975 | Huddersfield Town | 128 | (58) |
| 1975–1978 | Newcastle United | 92 | (30) |
| 1978–1982 | Bolton Wanderers | 149 | (28) |
| 1982–1983 | Preston North End | 40 | (5) |
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. † Appearances (Goals). |
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Alan Edwin Gowling (born 16 March 1949 in Stockport, England) is a former English footballer who played as a forward for many clubs in the north of England.
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Gowling went to Manchester United by way of county schools and Manchester University, where he studied for a degree in economics. He played for United juniors while at University, and once scored seven goals in a 'B' game. Due to his degree, he earned the nickname "Bamber", after the host of University Challenge. He is one of only seven graduates to have played for United.
Gowling made a goalscoring league debut against Stoke City. Coincidentally, he also played his last game for United against Stoke City, coming on as a substitute for Bobby Charlton. He played 87 times for United and once scored four in a game against Southampton on 20 February 1971.[1] Nevertheless, Gowling was never really a first choice player at the club, and he enjoyed his longest run in the side when playing in midfield in his final season in 1971–72.[2] He was sold to Huddersfield Town for £65,000 in June 1972.
After a disappointing period at Huddersfield which resulted in two relegations, he joined Newcastle United as a strike partner for Malcolm MacDonald. At Newcastle he scored their goal in the 1976 League Cup Final defeat at the hands of Manchester City. He matured under the guidance of Gordon Lee, before moving to Bolton Wanderers in 1978. He retired from football in 1984, aged 36, after a period at Preston North End.
Gowling gained England caps at amateur, Schoolboy and Under-23 level. Alan represented the British Olympic side at the 1968 Summer Olympics.
He is now the secretary of the Manchester United old boys association and regularly summarises Bolton Wanderers games on BBC Radio Manchester.