Sid Cowans interview

[KevinGage]

I'm pretty certain that had he played for one of the big clubs in the North West or the Smoke (and he was plenty good enough to) he'd have probably been seen as on a par with Hoddle. Or certainly received plenty more England caps anyroad.

But he suffered from our malaise post 82. Breaking his leg didn't help either.

Players like Platt and McGrath always spoke very highly of him, McGrath puts him only second to Bryan Robson in terms of best players he ever played with. When you think of some of the talents he played alongside for Man U, Ireland and Villa that's not bad.

Kenny Dalglish made him one of his first signings at Blackburn too, so the players knew. Top players who might have an idea about how football should be played. Even if sections of the media and sporting press weren't so sharp on the uptake.

[WALTERS WARRIORS]

His experience is invaluable. Great management move .........

[Astral Weeks]

Ask that Wanker Platt  - if it was not for Cowans he would not have had a career

The English version of Platini in his pomp

To be fair to Platt he acknowledges that, I remember after some award or other him saying that Sid was the best player he'd ever played with.

After Sir Brian my second favourite Villa player if he's half as good a coach as he was a player then we're in good hands.

I once read a quote from Platt where he said something like, "One of these days I'll make a run and Sid won't spot it - but it hasn't happened yet".

[PeterWithe]

I always got the impression that the press turned against him in his later years after SGT put him in national team ahead of Gazza for a game against Ireland.

[Astral Weeks]

We Villa fans all knew what a top player Sid was from the late 1970s through the 1980s but the ignorant media were always drooling over the passing skills of Glenn Hoddle or the tackling ability of Bryan Robson. I used to tell anyone who'd listen that Sid was a better all round player than either of them.

Me too. And we were right.

Ten England caps was an insult to his talent. Sid could pass like Hoodle and tackle (only more skillfully) than Robson. Both were great players but Sid had it all. If Sid had played for Spurs, no doubt he would have won at least 50 caps but such was the media wankfest for Hoddle and Captain Bloody Marvel, not to mention clueless managers, he hardly had a look in.

Ron Greenwood was the worst offender. It used to drive me up the wall that he never picked Sid, preferring nonentities like Alan Devonshire or Graham Rix.

Sid had just begun to get established in the England side under Bobby Robson when he broke his leg.

[Simon Ward]

Morley - Cowans - Mortimer - Bremner

The best Midfield I've seen at the Villa, won the league and European cup and yet always passed by the media when they talk of great midfields. They were never given the credit they deserved but for two seasons they were the pinnacle of English football.

Brought a big smile to my face seeing Sid on the bench on Sunday.

Indeed that was a midfield that had everything!

[Astral Weeks]

Can anyone explain to me why, when the England squad was selected for the 1982 World Cup, from a Villa squad that had just won the EC and included such talents as Morley, Cowans, Mortimer, Shaw, the only Villa player who went to Spain was Peter Withe?

Because I failed to understand at the time, and I still bloody can't!

[Mazrim]

Can anyone explain to me why, when the England squad was selected for the 1982 World Cup, from a Villa squad that had just won the EC and included such talents as Morley, Cowans, Mortimer, Shaw, the only Villa player who went to Spain was Peter Withe?

Because I failed to understand at the time, and I still bloody can't!

As it was then, so it is now, the corridors of footballing power in this country are largely full of shit and crooked.

[Ian.]

Mortimer and Cowans. Imagine having them in the centre now with the likes of Albrighton, Downing, Young and Gabby.

[Concrete John]

Can anyone explain to me why, when the England squad was selected for the 1982 World Cup, from a Villa squad that had just won the EC and included such talents as Morley, Cowans, Mortimer, Shaw, the only Villa player who went to Spain was Peter Withe?

Because I failed to understand at the time, and I still bloody can't!

I blame Sky TV.
 

[freakypete]

sid was never given the recognition he deserved,a nice bloke to not like todays premadonnas

[usav]

Can anyone explain to me why, when the England squad was selected for the 1982 World Cup, from a Villa squad that had just won the EC and included such talents as Morley, Cowans, Mortimer, Shaw, the only Villa player who went to Spain was Peter Withe?

Because I failed to understand at the time, and I still bloody can't!

Because Ipswich were the better team, of course.

[TopDeck113]

Sid presented with me with a certificate for taking part in a sponsored walk circa 1980.  A very proud moment...










...and I was pretty chuffed, too!

[Salsa Party Animal]

I think Sid is the best playmaker I have ever seen. I would love a young Sid and Mortimer in today midfield. Sid is so good he probably will make Heskey score 25 goals a season.