Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Heroes Discussion => Topic started by: Legion on March 09, 2020, 12:09:51 PM
-
"Dear friends and supporters.
In an attempt to stop speculation and mis information about my health, I have decided to release the following statement. After a series of recent tests, I have been diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's Disease. Medication has been prescribed and with some life changes, which I intend to commit to fully, the prognosis is a good one. I will be out and about for many years yet and see this as just another of life's journeys. My match day duties with Aston Villa will remain an important part of my future and I will continue to perform these, in support of my beloved club, for as long as my health allows. With the love and support of family and close friends guaranteed, I am very optimistic and positive about the future.
With Love.
Gordon ( Sid ) Cowans x"
-
Awful for him, such a lovely man. Hopefully the medication and changes can delay any serious onset.
One of my favourite ever players.
-
Bad news, but he seems to have a positive attitude, which will be vital in his battle.
One of the true legends of our club. Best wished go to him and his family.
-
I'm shocked I hope he's going to be OK I don't really know much about the Illness but I hope the medication will delay anything more serious I have had the pleasure of meeting Sid many times and he's a perfect gentleman.
-
Awful news, so sad to hear.
-
My father has the same illness - I hope that "Sid" is able to continue with his normal daily life for many years to come.
Without doubt my favorite Villa Player - World Class in my opinion.
-
Not one of in my case, my absolute favourite footballer. It wasn't enough to be good at football, I wanted to do it with the style of Sid at the same time, he made a sliding tackle look balletic.
God bless him x
-
Best wishes to a true legend and gentleman. Thinking of you and your family.
-
Thought the news would be even worse when I saw this.
Much love to Sid. One of the legends of the club without a doubt. My uncle had a more severe form of Alzheimers and it's sad to see fully with it people degenerate over time.
-
I feel for him and his family. A truly great Villa player. Any Villa team since would have been vastly improved with him in the team he was that good. Hopefully it won't be too deliberating for him.
-
Undoubtedly one of the best players it has been my privilege to witness playing for the Villa. The closest I've seen to being the complete all-round footballer. Keep fighting Sid.
-
Very sad news, I hope he's able to keep living a happy and normal life for a long time. My uncle has had something similar for a while and the stress and emotional pain it has placed on my Aunt is really tiring for her. I hope Sids family have a lot of support.
-
All the very best to you Sid as you fight this cruel illness.
-
I don't have many heroes but this man is one of them. Right behind you Sid.
-
The word legend is used far too often but in Sid’s case he is. Hope he can carry on with as normal a life as possible for many years to come. A class act on and off the pitch.
-
Love you Gordon Cowans. The best player ever to wear the glorious claret and blue shirt. I played with his brother Vince too at one stage. lovely people and I wish them nothing but the very, very best. A genuine, true legend of the Villa family.
-
Sad news.
Bloody love Sid.
-
My very best wishes to a True Villa Great.
-
Love Sid. Am sorry to read this, good to see he's approaching it with a positive attitude though. He's a fighter and with the right medication hopefully will continue to thrive for a good while yet.
-
We have had many great players down the villa, sid would be first name on any all-time teamsheet I was picking. All the very best sid to you and your family
-
Very sad news. All the best sid.
-
Tragic to read about this.
Best wishes to you and your family, Sid. X
-
Us of a certain age should be grateful that we saw him play in his pomp - twice.
All the luck in the world Sid as you battle against this.
-
Awful news.
Best wishes Sid and family x
-
Awful news.
Best wishes Sid and family x
Terrible news but well done Sid for being positive. We are all rooting for you, legend.
-
Skill full, clever, brave; Sid had it all.
Good luck as you face this latest battle, we are all behind you.
-
Awful news but Sid, you have the whole Villa family rooting for you.
I’m in training to do the Great North Run this year (my first at 58). I have chosen to do it for the Alzheimer’s Society and this news will give me more motivation to raise as much as possible.
-
Awful news, I hope he's right and the drugs etc can give him as much quality of life for as long as possible. A horrible disease.
-
Early onset Alzheimer's took my dad at the age of 51. It's an absolute bastard of a disease.
Good luck Sid. We're all with you x
-
My favourite player of all time.
Picking one memory.......the bullet header against Juve. Absolute class.
All the best Sid.
-
Without doubt, one of our finest ever players & a personal favourite over the past 50 years. Makes you realise this illness is indiscriminate & without conscience. Hopefully with medication & medical advances we can stop this horrible illness.
All the best Sid.
-
My father has the same illness - I hope that "Sid" is able to continue with his normal daily life for many years to come.
Without doubt my favorite Villa Player - World Class in my opinion.
Ditto. Plus he is my Dad's (and my) all time favourite Villa player.
-
As you can see from my log in!!
My all time favourite. Keep up the fight, we're all behind you.
-
Sad to see this news, Sid is a Villa legend and always will be. Hope he can continue to live a normal life for as long as possible and all the best to his family as well.
-
What a player. Watching the Villa from pre-world war II years through to the 1990s Gordon Cowans was my dad's favourite ever Villa player.
Genuinely one of the proudest moments of my life was at university, in the pub after playing a game of football, when a team mate told me 'you looked like Gordon Cowans today.'
Best wishes Gordon.
-
Five or six years back I was at a Halloween party in the Aston Social Club with my wife. We bought a strip of raffle tickets and one of the tickets was number ten and Sid was at the party so I got him to sign it. He along with Tony Morley was also good enough to make an appearance at the funeral wake of my cousin a couple of years back.
-
Very sad news indeed. I had the privilege to watch Sid in all his glory years. Hope treatment and a positive attitude gives Sid many good years yet.
-
On my first visit to Villa Park in 1980, i fell in love.
One reason was a speedy winger who was running rings around opposition defenders.
Another was this graceful player who ooozed class and could slow down, or dictate a game with his beautiful range of passing.
Best wishes Sid.
-
Horrible news. Best of luck Sid.
-
Sending Sid and his family lots of love.
A truly great player. Those pinpoint cross field balls were a thing of beauty.
I saw him play a few years back at Alvechurch in a Villa old stars game. He played carrying an inhaler in his hand and they might as well as given him his own ball. No one could get near him.
Stay strong Sid 👊
-
Sad news ,I’m sure Sid will cope with it ,like the many who’ve received this type of news recently, one of the few living legends of the Villa.
-
Incredible player and lovely man.
Knew his dad Walter well (dog trainer at Hall Green).
Hope it gives him an easier ride than most. Sad sad news.
-
Sad news but as some have commented he seems to be taking a positive attitude to this awful illness. Sid is in my top 5 favourite Villa players, absolutely fabulous to watch and worth the entrance money alone to watch just brilliant
-
One of the very few that truly deserves the title ‘professional footballer’. I never saw him tackle high, argue with a ref, feign injury, attempt to get an opponent booked or sent off, cheat or give anything less than 100%. An absolute class player who should have earned 100 caps for his country, yes he was that good.
-
Sad news and thoughts go out to him and his family. An iconic Villa player and comfortably the best passer of a football I have seen during my time watching the club.
-
He will always epitomise Aston Villa for me, he’s even more classy as a person than he was as a player and that’s saying something. A true Villa legend, second to none.
-
One of the very few that truly deserves the title ‘professional footballer’. I never saw him tackle high, argue with a ref, feign injury, attempt to get an opponent booked or sent off, cheat or give anything less than 100%.
Ha! Let's just say his goal celebration was slightly understated. If somebody else scored he was climbing all over them. I will always love Sid.
-
Such sad news. A great player and a great guy, always was and always will be Villa through and through. Some years ago (early Lerner period) Sid delivered the pre-ordered Villa shirt personally to the house as part of a new kit launch. I spoke to him for a while and he was such a decent and humble human being. My thoughts are with him and his family.
-
We owe you so much Sid. Thank you and God bless you.
-
This is such sad news. Sid was one of our greats. He always seemed to have time on the ball, his decision making and execution were sublime. A absolute pleasure to watch.
All the best.
-
Very sad news without doubt one of the greatest players to wear the Villa shirt. My nephew met him a couple of years ago and said what a great bloke he was. Thoughts to him and his family.
-
Both sad and shocking. Sad because he was a member of the greatest Villa team I am ever likely to see and shocking because of his relatively young age to be suffering from such a devastating disease. Best wishes to you Sid.
-
A legend and the exception that proves the "never go back" rule.
-
One of the best players ever to wear the shirt of Aston Villa Football Club.
He was a joy to watch, tough, skilful, hardworking and dedicated...a true professional.
From the bottom of my heart, all the best Sid.
-
One of our greatest, if not one of *the* greatest. All the very best wishes Sid.
-
An absolute legend - alongside Morley, Yorke and Grealish as our most aesthetically pleasing player in my time as a fan and possibly a better all rounder than any of those.
-
Only just seen this.
Gordon Cowans is my favourite ever Villa player, such class.
Villa through and through, a real Villa legend.
Sid is the same age as me which is a bit of a worry in itself.
Let's hope he can manage this and be around for many more years.
-
A true brick and a club legend.
-
A legend and the exception that proves the "never go back" rule.
I only saw him play live during his return, he was still a bloody good player then. I would have loved to have seen him in his pomp.
-
A legend and the exception that proves the "never go back" rule.
I only saw him play live during his return, he was still a bloody good player then. I would have loved to have seen him in his pomp.
Every bit as good as you've heard, even better.
-
One of the very few that truly deserves the title ‘professional footballer’. I never saw him tackle high, argue with a ref, feign injury, attempt to get an opponent booked or sent off, cheat or give anything less than 100%.
Ha! Let's just say his goal celebration was slightly understated. If somebody else scored he was climbing all over them. I will always love Sid.
My favourite memory of Sid, among a wonderful collection of memories, is of him, Shaw and Withe hugging each other and collectively dragging themselves to the ground after the goal in Rotterdam.
-
Sid is a man that should have been an England legend: that he wasn't was down to narrow-mindedness ("we can't possibly have two ball-players in the side, and we already have Glenn"). He and Hoddle together would have been awesome; sadly, it only happened a few times.
I think Cowans signalled his greatness to the world when - on a balmy August evening in North London, in 1978 - Spuds paraded their 2 new Argentinian midfielders to an expectant White Hart Lane. Ardiles and Ricky Villa had recently arrived after helping their country win the world cup. Aston Villa was their first home game.
We stuffed 'em 4-1 and Cowans was the architect of their destruction!
He was pure class: as Virgil Caine said above - the definition of 'professional'.
-
Bumping this thread because I couldn’t stand it lying on page 2 beneath ones labelled ‘Scott Hogan’ and ‘Danny Drinkwater’.
-
The best Villa player i've ever seen, ever met, and ever will.
For a kid to grow up idolising a midfielder rather than the amazing strikers or wingers we had at the same time tells it's own story. Just a wonderful footballer.
Thoughts with Sid and his family. Fight on.
-
Nice bump, which reminds me that I saw him in Aldi Lichfield last week.
-
Nice bump, which reminds me that I saw him in Aldi Lichfield last week.
I wonder how many modern footballers shop in Aldi.
-
Bumping this thread because I couldn’t stand it lying on page 2 beneath ones labelled ‘Scott Hogan’ and ‘Danny Drinkwater’.
Quite right too.
-
Sid talking about his diagnosis and more...
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-8994905/Aston-Villa-legend-Gordon-Cowans-opens-footballs-dementia-scandal.html
-
Poor Sid, absolutely gutted to hear about this. My mom has Alzheimer’s and so did my Nan, it’s a fucking horrible thing.
-
Five or six years back my wife and I went to a Halloween party at the Aston Social. One of the raffle tickets I bought was number ten. Sid was there and I got him to sign my raffle ticket. My wife asked what I would do if I won. I said I would rather forfeit the prize and keep the ticket. He and Tony Morley also showed their faces at my cousin 'Ginger's funeral wake a few years back. Also another cousin of mine used to go around training new recruits for the bank she worked for and one of her trainees was Sid's daughter. I wish him all the best in the world, he is a top bloke. The only better played than him I ever saw in a Villa shirt was Paul McGrath.
-
Keep fighting Sid - in my opinion the best I saw wearing our shirt.
-
Look forward to reading his memoir next year.
-
A true villa legend. I didn't know Johnny Giles was his uncle.
-
A true villa legend. I didn't know Johnny Giles was his uncle.
I think he's John Stiles' (son of Nobby) uncle, not Sid's.
-
I have just seen a tweet from Dawn Astle, Jeff Astle's daughter to the effect that Alex Cropley has now also been diagnosed with dementia.
-
Does anyone have an update on Sid’s book release? I know it was due for this year, but not sure when?
-
Hope he's doing OK health-wise.
-
What a truly wonderful player. Best I’ve ever seen in a Villa shirt. God bless Sid.
-
Nice bump, which reminds me that I saw him in Aldi Lichfield last week.
I wonder how many modern footballers shop in Aldi.
(https://i.ibb.co/KWyBb0s/8937660-0-image-a-30-1548340287728.jpg) (https://ibb.co/KWyBb0s)
Fabric conditioner/softener is not usually any cheaper in Aldi than elsewhere.
Photographed pre-covid !
-
What a truly wonderful player. Best I’ve ever seen in a Villa shirt. God bless Sid.
My favourite for sure.
-
Sad news, read just now that he's apparently in a nursing home, his condition having worsened.
-
He’s a part of many of our childhood’s and some of our fondest memories watching Villa. Even after he returned to the club he was just outstanding in Sir Graham’s side. Alzheimer’s is such a terrible condition. My very best to him through all this.
-
Sad news. Best wishes Sid.
-
Terrible news. We’ll be lucky to see a player like Sid again. Thoughts with Sid and his family at this tough time.
-
What a truly wonderful player. Best I’ve ever seen in a Villa shirt. God bless Sid.
This. My favourite Villa player, his only real weakness was his goal celebrations and even that I loved.
-
That’s really sad news. Thoughts with his family and friends. He’s up there with the very best to wear our shirt.
-
I saw something earlier about his condition and thought it was an old report or something so this news is a bit if a shock. Thinking of him and his family.
-
I saw something earlier about his condition and thought it was an old report or something so this news is a bit if a shock.
I heard it earlier but didn't want to mention it, due to a previous request by Dave W not to dwell too much on his condition. Sid and Morley spent quite a bit of time in the box my uncle was in after the Forest game, so I was surprised to hear today's news. A dreadful disease, and obviously wish him all the best.
-
Brilliant football player. One of my all time favourites in my time watching the Villa. He tackled so fiercely yet he was built like a pipe cleaner.He could pick a pass as well. He was wonderful on the ball. He's up there with Mcgrath in my opinion. Met him a couple of times too. My fondest memory was at the 2008 league final. We were in that Club 2000 by the ground and I was in a massive queue for the bogs. Turned around and there he was quietly waiting behind me. I said "fuck me it's Sid let him through" He tried to say I'm happy to queue up but we were having none of it. Everyone just pushed him to the front of the queue! I wish him all the best and he will have the support of his family and the full might of the Aston Villa family.
-
Horrible news. Horrible disease.
-
My best mate at school was a Blackburn fan. When Sid helped them get promotion back to the top division my mate thought that Cowans was the best player he'd ever seen. This was was obviously pre Shearer et al.
-
I still love you Sid. Even though this current bunch seem a good lot, you are and always will be my very favourite Villa player. Part of my childhood, part of my dreams and memories.
-
Terrible news
My all time Villa player, & loves us as much as we love him
All the best Sid.
-
Sad sad news, my user name says it all.
fabulous footballer and wonderful human being.
My hero.
-
My favourite ever player too, I’m lucky to have met him a couple of times. I just hope he gets all the help he needs to fight this vile condition. God bless him.
-
Very sad news about Sid.
Don't know what else to say really.
-
Sad news.
A true Villa great.
-
I grew up watching him in his second and third spells. Really treasured memories with my dad and grandad.
Walking up into the stadium, smelling the grass, feeling the atmosphere and anticipation and then some of those player including Sid were some of the best I’ve ever seen.
-
If you are one of the lucky ones that saw Sid from when he first broke into the first team and followed his career after, just imagine him playing for us today on the pitches they have compared to what Sid and his generation had. Those long-range passes and through balls to team mates would be have us drooling.
all the best Sid, legend.
-
My favourite Villa player ever, met Sid a few times at Old Star events and at Hospitality down Villa Park. What's always stood out for me is that his club mates love him as much (probably more , as they know him as a friend as well ) as the Villa supporters. I think they knew Sid was an exceptional talent and really appreciated his skill ,work rate ,pin point passes, goals, assists and as said before his crunching tackles despite his small slim frame.
-
I think Stan C says it beautifully:
Sid, you're my hero, yesterday, today, tomorrow and for as long as I have breath in my body. You are the very best of the sport we love, the club you represented and still represent with so much grace, and the family and friends who will be by your side.
From me and mine, thank you for everything you gave a wide eyed 11 year old, thank you for the words as I lived a nightmare wrapped in a dream come true, and how you epitomise why Aston Villa Football Club is the special place that it is.
To Sid's family, sending you much love and wish you the greatest strength at this difficult time.
We're Aston Villa, a glorious name, a magnificent history and a bright future ahead. All made possible by men like Gordon Sidney Cowans.
"All of my heroes are Villans". Keep fighting, Sid.
-
Thats a lovely tribute by stan
Very sad news
-
Terrible news.
Best wishes to you & your family, Sid. XXX
-
I know they had their flaws and periods of under-performance while they played for us but the way Collymore and Agbonlahor to a degree, frequently champion the Villa in public and show their love, Stan especially as in this case; really gladdens the heart.
-
Gutted to hear this.
The best player I've ever been fortunate enough to see. Huge huge part of the Villa that I love.
Love you Sid.
-
1:58 on this video .....
-
As a kid I always remember watching Sid pre-game when the players came out before KO and warmed up , he'd be fizzing passes across the pitch inch perfect always and I found it mesmerising. Had the plaeasure of meeting him a few years ago, absolute gent.
-
Along with Paul McGrath, Sid Cowans is the very best player I have ever seen play in the flesh. All the debate about Ollie v Toney over the past few days had me thinking back to the eighties and the gnashing of teeth seeing the likes of Hoddle, Brooking and various other midfielders steal the spotlight from our European Champion(s). I was thinking, it was the same back then as it is now: if you're not playing in the northwest or within the boundaries of the M25, you have to work ten times harder for the media and FA establishment to give you a chance. Gordon Cowans should have had, at the very least, fifty England caps - there was no finer passer, tackler or set piece deliver than Sid in his pomp - and he should have been one of the very first names on the England team sheet.
I read some tweet tonight asking why, for such a lauded player, did Sid have such a low-key testimonial (played against Stoke City, according to the Tweeter) ? I don't know the answer to that question but if it is true, maybe it's time for the Club to put that right and organise a proper testimonial game for an absolute, 110%, Aston Villa Football Club legend?
Thinking of Sid and the all the Cowans family at this time.
-
My favourite as-it-were historical Villa player. You watch his stuff, he looks like a player from the future, he's always taking the ball perfectly in stride, generating power from no backlift, seeing things nobody else could like he's playing FIFA...
Basically, our Cruyff. Wishing every and any comfort for him and all who know him.
-
If anyone can find footage of Platt’s hat-trick v Spurs in a 3-2 home win, that shows Sid’s talent as well as anything I’ve seen. I watched it the other day and now I can’t find it.
-
If anyone can find footage of Platt’s hat-trick v Spurs in a 3-2 home win, that shows Sid’s talent as well as anything I’ve seen. I watched it the other day and now I can’t find it.
One of the biggest compliments I can give Douglas Luiz is that some of the turns he has done on the ball and some of the intricate 'clips' into the box this season have been reminiscent of Sid.
Very sad news to hear about the deterioration in his health.
-
I like many wanted to be him in the playground, nobody could pass a ball like Sid.
-
Funny:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=lYFBGR9erBg&pp=ygUUR2F0ZWNyYXNoIHNpZCBjb3dhbnM%3D
-
Fantastic player and a fantastic person. Very sad to hear this news.
-
Very sad to hear this. Legend is thrown about far too freely today and there are few that are truly deserving of such an honour. Sid is one of the few that completely and utterly deserve the distinction. Growing up, I was always Sid when kicking the ball around the King Edward's fields behind my house and it was thrilling to watch him in person - most especially that night at VP when we crushed the dirty Barcelona hacks to win the Super Cup.
-
Sid. One of the 14
Only legends are known by their nickname and I can’t think of many others.
Keep battling Sid, all of the Villa family are with you.
-
Didn’t Platt once say:-
“My ambition is to make a run that Sid doesn’t spot”
Wonderful player
-
Sad news, thoughts are with Sid & his family.
Didn't see him in his first spell, but did see him in his 2nd & 3rd. Absolutely loved him as a player, but it's only really watching videos now that I realise just what a brilliant player he was.
-
A Villa legend on and off the pitch.
Loved our chat in The Adventurers some years ago!
Keep battling Sid! UTV!
-
So sad, great great player…as I’ve always said he’s the player Hoddle could have been if he could have tackled. Should have had 50+ caps if the England team hadn’t been picked by the lazy hacks of Fleet St
-
If anyone can find footage of Platt’s hat-trick v Spurs in a 3-2 home win, that shows Sid’s talent as well as anything I’ve seen. I watched it the other day and now I can’t find it.
Spurs match 46.55
&ab_channel=AstonVillaF.C
-
A true Villa man. Great player that was a pleasure to watch, and a great bloke. All the best Sid.
-
I remember seeing his debut at VP and being amazed at his ability and skill. Then, coming home to watch highlights on ‘Sportsnight’ and listening to Barry Davies waxing lyrical over his performance. Special player was Sid. Hope he gets the best of care.
-
Saw him at Old Trafford for the League Cup game last season and he looked well so this is a shock.
My favourite ever footballer. It could pass you by how good he was at times because he was never about himself and was a complete team player, but watching that 6-2 Everton game recently and we scored from two of his set pieces which were taken with different feet. Who the fuck does that? Absolute genius.
-
I also remember his debut at Villa Park. He made what was to become his trademark, a sliding tackle with trailing leg under his backside, so that he came out of the tackle running with the ball at his feet. We were stunned by the sight of it .
-
Beautiful artist with a football. Absolutely one of our all time greatest.
-
Such sad news. Don't remember him first time round that well. Him and Platt were immense though when he came back.
-
What he was capable of as a player
-
I’m very confident that most of us who have had the privilege of seeing him play for us will have him in their all time Villa eleven. Says it all.
-
If anyone can find footage of Platt’s hat-trick v Spurs in a 3-2 home win, that shows Sid’s talent as well as anything I’ve seen. I watched it the other day and now I can’t find it.
Spurs match 46.55
&ab_channel=AstonVillaF.C
Brilliant to watch again.
My first season when I could afford to get a ST for the first time and some great memories of Sid are on here.
Not least the ball for Platt"s goal v Inter.
-
I also remember his debut at Villa Park. He made what was to become his trademark, a sliding tackle with trailing leg under his backside, so that he came out of the tackle running with the ball at his feet. We were stunned by the sight of it .
This is what I remember most about him, I lost count of the number of times he did it & I've never seen any other player do it once. I'm gutted for him & his family that this ilness has developed this quickly. I too saw him at Old Trafford last season & he looked so well. A truely wonderful player & a Villa man to the core.
-
Even on SHA, nothing but sympathy and praise for him as a player/coach/person. That says a lot, given their usual opinion of Villa players.
-
Even on SHA, nothing but sympathy and praise for him as a player/coach/person. That says a lot, given their usual opinion of Villa players.
There are a few decent ones over there.
-
Nothing on BBC Football, even on the Villa page, about this development involving an ex-England international and one of the best players of his generation...
-
If anyone can find footage of Platt’s hat-trick v Spurs in a 3-2 home win, that shows Sid’s talent as well as anything I’ve seen. I watched it the other day and now I can’t find it.
Spurs match 46.55
&ab_channel=AstonVillaF.C
Brilliant to watch again.
My first season when I could afford to get a ST for the first time and some great memories of Sid are on here.
Not least the ball for Platt"s goal v Inter.
We all agree, Platt is better than Gascoigne...
Where's your fat boy gone?...
Feels like yesterday...
-
Very sad news. A real legend of a player.
My thoughts are with his family and friends.
-
I also remember his debut at Villa Park. He made what was to become his trademark, a sliding tackle with trailing leg under his backside, so that he came out of the tackle running with the ball at his feet. We were stunned by the sight of it .
The most enjoyable thing about seeing that done was that whereas we, watching in the crowd, could see and would know exactly what was going to happen, Sid's opponent would be left sitting on the floor in a state of total surprise, wondering where the hell the ball had gone.
My dad said that in watching the Villa for over 70 years, no one player had given him greater enjoyment than Gordon Cowans, which I think in large part was because Sid's slender frame was in inverse proportion to absolutely everything he brought to his game, not least his fearlessness and strength. It's not a word I would usually use to describe a footballer, but Gordon Cowans was a beautiful footballer.
-
At the request of the Cowans family we have been asked to post the following:
“People are speculating on social media about the health and welfare of our dear Gordon Cowans, loving father to his children, Jenna and Henry.
Messages mistakenly saying he has been admitted to a hospice, with one even stating R.I.P, are hurtful and upsetting to those closest to him. Gordon is suffering from a deteriorating illness, and it is progressing.
He has entered a care facility because his welfare is paramount. There is a long-term health plan in place, formulated with specialists in the field of his illness. It is reviewed regularly to ensure Gordon's needs are best served and provided for. Considering all he faces, he is doing well, both physically and mentally.
For the sake of his children and grandchildren, I ask people support their wishes by not spreading the drama and conjecture we are seeing. Please respect this simple request. By doing so, you will be showing valuable support for Gordon, and his family.
Thank you for understanding and caring x
Jenna Walford Thomas Walford Henry Cowans Rose Charlotte”
https://twitter.com/LoveMcGrathpod/status/1773698309883863148
-
Obviously without Cowans, Platt would never have scored the amount he did. However also watching any of Cowans passes to him, Platt had a brilliant first touch that is sometimes forgotten. Just a shame he decided to ignore Villa in later days.
-
I used to have the pleasure of bumping into Clive Allen from time to time. He always said that Sid was the best footballer he ever played with or against and that it was a disgrace he didn't have at least 50 caps for England. Clive was good to talk football with and was always very respectful of Villa and our place in the pantheon of English football. He loved playing at Villa Park and enjoyed the atmosphere and history of the place.
-
Such sad news, a brilliant footballer and a brilliant man.
-
I also remember his debut at Villa Park. He made what was to become his trademark, a sliding tackle with trailing leg under his backside, so that he came out of the tackle running with the ball at his feet. We were stunned by the sight of it .
The most enjoyable thing about seeing that done was that whereas we, watching in the crowd, could see and would know exactly what was going to happen, Sid's opponent would be left sitting on the floor in a state of total surprise, wondering where the hell the ball had gone.
My dad said that in watching the Villa for over 70 years, no one player had given him greater enjoyment than Gordon Cowans, which I think in large part was because Sid's slender frame was in inverse proportion to absolutely everything he brought to his game, not least his fearlessness and strength. It's not a word I would usually use to describe a footballer, but Gordon Cowans was a beautiful footballer.
Beautiful Footballer fits the description perfectly. That ability, technique and timing allowing him to slide into a tackle with his ball winning leg bent at the knee ready to be successful in its endeavour was totally unique to Cowans. I always thought to myself that every one should copy it. I’m sure they tried but just couldn’t pull it off like him. Quite clearly it couldn’t be taught either. You just knew how it was done and only one person knew.
-
I used to have the pleasure of bumping into Clive Allen from time to time. ..... He loved playing at Villa Park and enjoyed the atmosphere and history of the place.
I bet he fucking did. Especially that time he basically showed us we were going down on the first day of the season.
-
Even watching Sid warm up was a joy. The triangles he used to play with Paul McGrath and David Platt before games showed how effortless he found controlling and passing a ball.
-
I used to have the pleasure of bumping into Clive Allen from time to time. He always said that Sid was the best footballer he ever played with or against and that it was a disgrace he didn't have at least 50 caps for England. Clive was good to talk football with and was always very respectful of Villa and our place in the pantheon of English football. He loved playing at Villa Park and enjoyed the atmosphere and history of the place.
He should have won England caps before he did but he was really establishing himself in 1983 and playing brilliantly when he had that terrible leg break in pre-season that year. He didn’t play for 12 months and was then sold to Bari. He never re-established himself with England.
-
I remember watching Sid warming up at Villa Park . He used to always do this trick of flipping the ball off the deck onto either foot the spinning around 360 on his standing foot. Always tried to copy this trick , never as gracefully Sid executed it though.
-
I remember watching Sid warming up at Villa Park . He used to always do this trick of flipping the ball off the deck onto either foot the spinning around 360 on his standing foot. Always tried to copy this trick , never as gracefully Sid executed it though.
I remember him fizzing passes across the pitch inch perfect with a slight spin on the ball. I've never seen anything like it before or since. Legend.
-
My earliest memory of Sid was me as 9 year old watching us vs West Ham in Dec 1982, i was at the fence directly behind the goal.
0-0 at the time, penalty to Villa at the Holte End
Up steps Sid to face Phil Parkes who to a nine year old seemed a bloody giant with hands like shovels.
Calm as you like, Sid hands on hips did a little sway before running up and side footing the ball into my bottom left on the net.
That was the day he became my man.
Only 24k at VP that day but i'm proud to say i was there.
-
If anyone can find footage of Platt’s hat-trick v Spurs in a 3-2 home win, that shows Sid’s talent as well as anything I’ve seen. I watched it the other day and now I can’t find it.
Spurs match 46.55
&ab_channel=AstonVillaF.C
Thanks Pete.
-
Also Kent Neilsen v Inter at about 1h10m
-
I had a lovely chance to meet Sid with my lad who was about 8 at the time. My lad was doing footy coaching with Bournemouth FC. He always wore his Villa kit and the coaches invited us to watch Bournemouth Youth play Villa U16's and U18's at a local school that afternoon. We stood in the middle of the two pitches watching both games and up walked Sid who was coaching one of the teams. We chatted during the game and he was great with my lad, taking pictures afterwards. We even helped Sid collect all the balls, cones and bibs at the end. Such a lovely bloke and the best midfielder I've seen at Villa...
-
I also remember his debut at Villa Park. He made what was to become his trademark, a sliding tackle with trailing leg under his backside, so that he came out of the tackle running with the ball at his feet. We were stunned by the sight of it .
The most enjoyable thing about seeing that done was that whereas we, watching in the crowd, could see and would know exactly what was going to happen, Sid's opponent would be left sitting on the floor in a state of total surprise, wondering where the hell the ball had gone.
My dad said that in watching the Villa for over 70 years, no one player had given him greater enjoyment than Gordon Cowans, which I think in large part was because Sid's slender frame was in inverse proportion to absolutely everything he brought to his game, not least his fearlessness and strength. It's not a word I would usually use to describe a footballer, but Gordon Cowans was a beautiful footballer.
Beautiful Footballer fits the description perfectly. That ability, technique and timing allowing him to slide into a tackle with his ball winning leg bent at the knee ready to be successful in its endeavour was totally unique to Cowans. I always thought to myself that every one should copy it. I’m sure they tried but just couldn’t pull it off like him. Quite clearly it couldn’t be taught either. You just knew how it was done and only one person knew.
Sums up Sid perfectly for me...such a wonderful player in every way...a great eye, overwhelming natural ability, superb passing, an eye for goal and loved a tackle. He gave his heart and soul for us and we will all give a bit of our hearts and souls to him and his family at a difficult period in his life.
I stood next to him at the Wolves' game at their place a few years ago and bumped into him at a few away games...also had a nice chat at the 40th Anniversary '82 celebrations at The Academy...he looked in great nick and was as modest and tolerant with me as possible. It was very clear that he loved The Villa.
As an aside, in a modern world, he is the biggest influence on all of my passwords!
We love you Sid.
-
I worry every time this thread gets bumped. One of my favourite players of all time, and a nice bloke as well.
-
Wishing Sid and his family all the best. A true villa great.
-
Unai met Sid tonight after the game
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GJ8jWZ7W8AEIjFw?format=jpg&name=large)
-
Fantastic!
-
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
-
I would rate the understanding of Sid and Platt up there with any of them.
-
That photo makes you happy and sad all at once.
-
Great picture. Makes me happy to see him out and about and contributing on a match day. It is a 10 shirt in the picture behind him but I can’t make out if it is Sid in the picture. If it is makes this photo even more special.
-
Great picture. Makes me happy to see him out and about and contributing on a match day. It is a 10 shirt in the picture behind him but I can’t make out if it is Sid in the picture. If it is makes this photo even more special.
Close.
It's Andi Weimann ;-)
-
Great picture. Makes me happy to see him out and about and contributing on a match day. It is a 10 shirt in the picture behind him but I can’t make out if it is Sid in the picture. If it is makes this photo even more special.
I think it's the Weimann photo.
-
It is.
-
It's Weimann after scoring the winner in the 3-2 win over Man City in 13/14.
-
Great picture. Makes me happy to see him out and about and contributing on a match day. It is a 10 shirt in the picture behind him but I can’t make out if it is Sid in the picture. If it is makes this photo even more special.
Close.
It's Andi Weimann
I had hoped it was Sid but suspected it wasn’t. I’m a bit embarrassed now. Seeing some of the players who have had it since perhaps we should have retired the shirt. There’s a hashtag if ever the was one for those who do that sort of thing.
-
I saw Sid play a good few times in his first spell but I was very young and those memories are blurry.l, but obviously seen loads of tv footage. My main memories are his second spell and the combination with Platt, unreal. And to think that side also contained McGrath. A truly fantastic player.
-
I saw Sid play a good few times in his first spell but I was very young and those memories are blurry.l, but obviously seen loads of tv footage. My main memories are his second spell and the combination with Platt, unreal. And to think that side also contained McGrath. A truly fantastic player.
I saw him come through into the team. In those championship and European cup winnng years he could hit the badge on the centre of Peter Withes shirt with either foot from anywhere on the pitch. If anyone has the video of his free kick goal at Goodison Park in SGT’s last game I’d love to see it. Remarkable technique no pace on the ball just precision and flight.
-
That's so good to see him looking well.
Made my day already.
-
I saw Sid play a good few times in his first spell but I was very young and those memories are blurry.l, but obviously seen loads of tv footage. My main memories are his second spell and the combination with Platt, unreal. And to think that side also contained McGrath. A truly fantastic player.
I saw him come through into the team. In those championship and European cup winnng years he could hit the badge on the centre of Peter Withes shirt with either foot from anywhere on the pitch. If anyone has the video of his free kick goal at Goodison Park in SGT’s last game I’d love to see it. Remarkable technique no pace on the ball just precision and flight.
At 1:24:40
&ab_channel=VillaBoy
-
https://x.com/MEW1934/status/1820846322296947020
-
Love Gordon Cowans.
-
I was lucky enough to see him in most home games in 1980 / 81 / 82. He had incomparable passing and tackling skills. He was always a true gentleman when I met him - a real Villa legend.
-
Looks like Jim Walker on the couch next to Sid, who are the other two? (TBH I wouldn't have recognised Walters if the tweet wasn't from his account).
-
Blimey, I didn’t know Jim was still around. He doesn’t look a lot different
-
I was lucky enough to see him in most home games in 1980 / 81 / 82. He had incomparable passing and tackling skills. He was always a true gentleman when I met him - a real Villa legend.
Agree, Legend.
-
Blimey, I didn’t know Jim was still around. He doesn’t look a lot different
https://youtu.be/DZ8dA67VZEs?si=cLa0q9gw13pbf50Y
Great interview with Jim by Pete Schaad of The Holy Trinity podcast.
-
Sid, Dennis Mortimer and Brian Little - there should be a public enquiry into why they got so few caps (in Dennis's case - none at all).
-
I know the lad on the left, and the one next to him.
https://x.com/MEW1934/status/1820846322296947020
-
I know some will consider it small time but shouldn’t we have a few more statues around the stadium? I mean Gordon would be a candidate ?
-
Kinsella not so much. Mings in time. Ronald Saunders?
-
I know some will consider it small time but shouldn’t we have a few more statues around the stadium? I mean Gordon would be a candidate ?
The best Villa player in my life time. Love him. If I was to pick a fault, possibly his only fault, his goal celebration needed a bit of work.
-
I used to love to watch Sid play he used to make the game look so easy when he played he was that good.
-
Sid is one of those players that if you had never seen him play and you hear about him from those that did, you'd think he couldn't have been that good, take it from me who saw most of his career, he was.
-
I don't know if its Claret & Blue coloured spectacles and my exuberance of youth, but I always thought (and still do) Sid was a genuinely world class footballer.
-
Sid was brilliant for us - and is still my favourite all time Villa footballer.
-
One of our very best and probably underrated by those outside of B6.
If we were looking at another statue, I'd go Ron.
-
People talk about world class players, well Sid was definitely up there with the best. Effortlessly gliding around the pitch, making killer passes and crunching tackles. Shameful that he didn't play for England more.
-
Sid Cowans definitely one of the best Villa players of all time, plus he must be the only player to have signed for Villa 3 times.
-
Sid Cowans definitely one of the best Villa players of all time, plus he must be the only player to have signed for Villa 3 times.
How quickly the legend that is Axel Tuanzebe is forgotten!
-
I was too young in 81-82 to see him play then, but was there for his second coming and all I can say is that he is undoubtedly the most under-rated English midfielder of the last 50 years. As much as I liked Douglas Luiz, if we'd had a prime Sid in his position last season we could have won the league.
-
People talk about world class players, well Sid was definitely up there with the best. Effortlessly gliding around the pitch, making killer passes and crunching tackles. Shameful that he didn't play for England more.
Always said if Glenn Hoddle could have tackled he’d have still been no better than Sid….if Sid had played in London he’d have have way more caps than Hoddle
-
People talk about world class players, well Sid was definitely up there with the best. Effortlessly gliding around the pitch, making killer passes and crunching tackles. Shameful that he didn't play for England more.
Always said if Glenn Hoddle could have tackled he’d have still been no better than Sid….if Sid had played in London he’d have have way more caps than Hoddle
London players always got more caps so the FA could boost attendances, I'm convinced of it.
-
Sid's vision to see a pass and ability to execute it are the best I have seen and not just for Villa players.
-
He was and remains my favourite Villa player, the most elegant footballer you could wish to see.
-
He was and remains my favourite Villa player, the most elegant footballer you could wish to see.
Even his slide tackles were elegantly executed.
-
He was and remains my favourite Villa player, the most elegant footballer you could wish to see.
Even his slide tackles were elegantly executed.
Only he could do them, timing, execution, bravery, it was his, not copied from another player and obviously not possible to pass on to other players. You could either do it, or you couldn't.
-
I remember the fuss when Graham Taylor as England boss, brought Sid back for one game, dropping Paul Gascoigne in the process. You'd think Taylor had shat in the Queen's bedroom such was the national outrage.
-
He was and remains my favourite Villa player, the most elegant footballer you could wish to see.
Even his slide tackles were elegantly executed.
Only he could do them, timing, execution, bravery, it was his, not copied from another player and obviously not possible to pass on to other players. You could either do it, or you couldn't.
Alex Cropley could do it and it’s entirely possible he taught Sid to do them
-
Sid is probably the player I've seen play more than any other as I had season tickets from the late 70s to the mid 90s. My favourite all time Villa player. Fans of other clubs speak well of him too.
-
I remember the fuss when Graham Taylor as England boss, brought Sid back for one game, dropping Paul Gascoigne in the process. You'd think Taylor had shat in the Queen's bedroom such was the national outrage.
Was that a friendly away to Ireland, played during the afternoon on a weekday for some reason, or is my memory playing tricks on me?
-
I can definitely remember England playing Ireland during the day and discussing it at school. I think it was 1-1 and both goals scored by Villa players?
-
I remember the fuss when Graham Taylor as England boss, brought Sid back for one game, dropping Paul Gascoigne in the process. You'd think Taylor had shat in the Queen's bedroom such was the national outrage.
Was that a friendly away to Ireland, played during the afternoon on a weekday for some reason, or is my memory playing tricks on me?
It was a qualifier not a friendly, but yes it was a Wednesday afternoon I think.
I once asked him at a Q&A about that, and how I felt it was disrespectful as he was a better player than Gascoigne.
He pretty much laughed at me and said he wasn't fit to lace Gascoigne's boots.
-
He was and remains my favourite Villa player, the most elegant footballer you could wish to see.
Even his slide tackles were elegantly executed.
Only he could do them, timing, execution, bravery, it was his, not copied from another player and obviously not possible to pass on to other players. You could either do it, or you couldn't.
Alex Cropley could do it and it’s entirely possible he taught Sid to do them
I remember Alex Cropley with great fondness. He was a very good at full bodied slide tackles. Never as good or accurate as Sid though. Sid didn't just slide tackle, it was like he was navigating the curve on a Speedway Bike he managed the tackle and the control of the ball in a movement and then come away with it.
-
Sid didn't just slide tackle, it was like he was navigating the curve on a Speedway Bike he managed the tackle and the control of the ball in a movement and then come away with it.
Poetry in motion, not something you'd normally say about a tackle but that was Sid.
-
I'll never forget that pass of his to Daley away to smethwick that set up an amazing goal. Stood behind the goal and going mental when it went in.
-
It has been written on here before but it is worth repeating, when asked by a journalist if he had any ambitions David Platt is rumoured to have said 'I'd like to make a run that Sid Cowans doesn't spot '.
The best footballer I have seen at Villa Park and one worthy of being called 'professional'. I never saw him feign injury, attempt to get an opposing player booked, argue with a referee or make ridiculous salary demands. I cannot remember him ever being cautioned or even spoken to by a Ref but that might be rose tinted glasses. One thing I really admired was that he was naturally two-footed and could ping a 30-40 yard pass with accuracy with either his left or his right foot, watch the You Tube excerpts of the FA Cup tie at the Bitterdome to see two masterful examples of his art. One defence splitting pass to Derek Mountfield and the other a raking 50 yard pass for Tony Daley to run in a score.
-
As our favourites get on in years, if we dig up an old thread to share good news can we add - not to worry or something at the end of the title? Like we do with Paul McGrath. There have been so many recent passings or bits of unfortunate news it would be nice to know immediately that things are well.
-
It has been written on here before but it is worth repeating, when asked by a journalist if he had any ambitions David Platt is rumoured to have said 'I'd like to make a run that Sid Cowans doesn't spot '.
The best footballer I have seen at Villa Park and one worthy of being called 'professional'. I never saw him feign injury, attempt to get an opposing player booked, argue with a referee or make ridiculous salary demands. I cannot remember him ever being cautioned or even spoken to by a Ref but that might be rose tinted glasses. One thing I really admired was that he was naturally two-footed and could ping a 30-40 yard pass with accuracy with either his left or his right foot, watch the You Tube excerpts of the FA Cup tie at the Bitterdome to see two masterful examples of his art. One defence splitting pass to Derek Mountfield and the other a raking 50 yard pass for Tony Daley to run in a score.
It wasn't a rumour. Platt said it in an interview with BRMB after his move to Bari was announced.
-
One thing I really admired was that he was naturally two-footed and could ping a 30-40 yard pass with accuracy with either his left or his right foot, watch the You Tube excerpts of the FA Cup tie at the Bitterdome to see two masterful examples of his art. One defence splitting pass to Derek Mountfield and the other a raking 50 yard pass for Tony Daley to run in a score.
He even managed to head their only chance off the line that day.
-
I'll never forget that pass of his to Daley away to smethwick that set up an amazing goal. Stood behind the goal and going mental when it went in.
One of my favourite ever goals, I too was stood behind the goal - lunchtime kick off, I recall, and heavy rain.
-
When I was a kid playing football, I developed an affectation of tapping the toe of my kicking foot onto the floor behind me, before taking a set piece, and it was a while before I realised I was copying Sid. I'd just subconsciously learned THIS was how you take set pieces.
-
As our favourites get on in years, if we dig up an old thread to share good news can we add - not to worry or something at the end of the title? Like we do with Paul McGrath. There have been so many recent passings or bits of unfortunate news it would be nice to know immediately that things are well.
And just like that very sadly Alan Little has passed away aged 69. Condolences to his family and of course Sir Brian.
-
Me and a fair few other Villa fans were in the Brummie Road End to see the Sid pass for the Daley goal.
Remember reading after we won the league, that Sid had asked Sir Ron to be dropped from the team, because he thought he was not playing well. Ron kept playing him.
-
From the Guardian in reference to the Juventus game.
Cowans is adored at Villa Park. In an era of all-action midfielders who oozed testosterone, Cowans was a symbol of understated class. “What a player,” says Blair. “His energy, his ability with right or left foot, his awareness and ability to pick a pass. He was tenacious; he had everything. He’d be a great player in any system, in any era. He’s the best player I ever played with and a great person.”
Oh how I'd love him to be in this side.
-
From the Guardian in reference to the Juventus game.
Cowans is adored at Villa Park. In an era of all-action midfielders who oozed testosterone, Cowans was a symbol of understated class. “What a player,” says Blair. “His energy, his ability with right or left foot, his awareness and ability to pick a pass. He was tenacious; he had everything. He’d be a great player in any system, in any era. He’s the best player I ever played with and a great person.”
Oh how I'd love him to be in this side.
The little shuffle he does before playing the ball out for it to come back in for his goal, which is referred to in that article, was absolutely exquisite.
He could have been part of that Juventus side and not looked remotely out of place.
-
And he's right about any era, he was a complete natural. I mentioned it before but it was only fairly recently watching the highlights of the Everton 6-2 game that I realised he had assists from set pieces taken with each foot.
I don't really recall any other player that could do that, yes there have been two footed players but they would usually have a favoured foot for delivering something as precise as a free kick.
-
Any era, any system, any team.
-
Nice of Tony Blair to give him that praise.
-
I occasionally used to bump into Clive Allen (ex Spurs, Crystal Palace Man. City and England, for you youngsters, and serial scorer of goals against us) who told me that he was the best player he ever played with or against and thought it was a travesty that he didn't have far more England caps than he did.
-
Just trying to butter up the Villa fans so they don't demand he goes to prison for his war crimes in Iraq.
-
Nice of Tony Blair to give him that praise.
I think it was Lionel Blair. He praised him using the form of mime.
-
Just trying to butter up the Villa fans so they don't demand he goes to prison for his war crimes in Iraq.
Wasn't aware of Clive Allen's war crimes but he did break my little heart with his opening day hat-trick against us in '86.
-
Just trying to butter up the Villa fans so they don't demand he goes to prison for his war crimes in Iraq.
Wasn't aware of Clive Allen's war crimes but he did break my little heart with his opening day hat-trick against us in '86.
I remember that game, there was an air of mild optimism that we might not be that bad this season, that didn't last long.
-
Ah my first real season of attending what a joy that was. I remember a few weeks later someone shouting ‘clean sheet today Kev’ at Kevin Poole whilst he was warming up. Cue 1-4 at home to Norwich. Admittedly Hodge contributed to one of their goals.
-
I might have mentioned it before, but when he played for us the first time, I was so sick of people not realising how great he was, I almost wanted him to move to a club where he’d get the credit he deserved.
-
Just trying to butter up the Villa fans so they don't demand he goes to prison for his war crimes in Iraq.
Wasn't aware of Clive Allen's war crimes but he did break my little heart with his opening day hat-trick against us in '86.
I remember that game, there was an air of mild optimism that we might not be that bad this season, that didn't last long.
About 3 minutes, if I recall.
-
I might have mentioned it before, but when he played for us the first time, I was so sick of people not realising how great he was, I almost wanted him to move to a club where he’d get the credit he deserved.
He was massively hard done-by in terms of praise and recognition outside of B6. Looking at the England teams he played in, there were some pretty average players: he might well have formed a perfect partnership with one of Hoddle or Devonshire but other journeymen seemed to be favoured (Sammy Lee, John Gregory, for example).
I'm still as ever convinced it was that he played for an unfavoured club.
-
Nice of Tony Blair to give him that praise.
Don't think it was Tony, he'd have described Sid as the 'People's Player'.
-
Just trying to butter up the Villa fans so they don't demand he goes to prison for his war crimes in Iraq.
Wasn't aware of Clive Allen's war crimes but he did break my little heart with his opening day hat-trick against us in '86.
Bob Wilson was one of the pundits for the BBC at the time, a few of them had to predict who they thought would do well. He predicted us as dark horses for the league after we’d bought Garry Thompson, Neil Cooper, Martin Keown to add to the players already there like Mark Walters, Steve Hunt, Paul Birch, Steve Hodge etc.
I was 12, had my first season ticket after a few years of paying on the door and I believed Wilson. Clive Allen burst my bubble pretty quickly and then it got worse.
Anyway, i had the pleasure if seeing Sid second time around more regularly than first time. Him, Platt, McGrath in the same team, times were had, what a player
-
If we hadn’t gone down we might never have had SGT. I remember him controversially telling the players to wash their own kits in his first season.
-
For a player of short stature, devoid of pace and slight of build he was remarkable. Gifted with both feet , a sublime tackler and a wonderful football brain. One of the best creative midfielders ever. And one of us..
-
Listening to Keown’s audio book at the moment and obviously started with the Villa chapters.
Don Howe had a go at him for signing for Villa when they met with England U21s. I remember Howe getting quite nasty with Villa when C*v manager.
I wonder how many great Villa players from early 80s didn’t get England caps because of Howe’s anti Villa malign influence?
-
Listening to Keown’s audio book at the moment and obviously started with the Villa chapters.
Don Howe had a go at him for signing for Villa when they met with England U21s. I remember Howe getting quite nasty with Villa when C*v manager.
I wonder how many great Villa players from early 80s didn’t get England caps because of Howe’s anti Villa malign influence?
Yes, him and Greenwood cost arguably the greatest team in our history, a bucket load of caps, and robbed a relatively poor England side of some really talented players. That said, our star English players did seem to get a fair few injuries around those times.
-
I remember the 82 world cup - Greenwood picking both Keegan and Brooking who were both injured and not fit to play in the games.
How can a team that had just won the European Cup and the league the previous season be so under represented in an England squad
Yesterday on youtube I watched the Sunderland home game from the season we won the league - watching Cowans, Morley and Shaw was a joy and I was there as well!
-
Unfortunately Keegan and Brooking were media darlings🤔
-
The best game I recall from Sid was the first away game in August 1978, at Spudddds. They'd just brought in Rickie Villa and Ardiles. We won 4-1 and Cowans was the midfielder who looked like a world-cup winner.
-
What was Greenwood's problem with Villa? Seems odd that an England team that didn't actually qualify for a world cup for 20 years wouldn't use English players that actually won things...
-
I remember the 82 world cup - Greenwood picking both Keegan and Brooking who were both injured and not fit to play in the games.
How can a team that had just won the European Cup and the league the previous season be so under represented in an England squad
Yesterday on youtube I watched the Sunderland home game from the season we won the league - watching Cowans, Morley and Shaw was a joy and I was there as well!
Watch the away game from that season. Cowans plays the most delicious first time through ball for Dennis to run onto and score. He was simply a genius.
-
Anyone remember that cross field pass away to Wimbledon during the SGT era. Incredible and one we scored from. I remember it was our first win over Wimbledon they always seemed to beat us.
-
That pass is right at the beginning of this clip.
-
England WC squad. Do I pick Sid Cowans? Nah, I'll go with Rix of Arsenal and Armstrong of Southampton.
The football equivalent of self-harming.