Sid Cowans leaves Villa

[Damo70]

I think we all tried to be him in the school playground... trying those long passes that only he could look so easy.

I tried to be Harry Styles in the school playground today. I'm in court next month. I knew I should have grown my hair longer.

[Louzie0]

End of an era.
My very best wishes to Sid and my thanks for everything he has given to the Villa. I saw him play for us many times. Just, what a talent and what a presence on the field.

Lately, what an inspiration to our younger players.

[Damo70]

Tony Morley was my hero but Sid and Gary Shaw and Peter Withe were right up there. I actually thought Steve Foster was great as well. (It was the eighties,( I was in my early teens and he wore a headband-(it seemed 'cool' at the time).

[Chinchilla Bathhouse]

His deadball technique was superb and his vision was without comparison- Platt was asked what ambition he had and his reply sums up the majesty of Gordon 'Sid' Cowans. 'My ambition is to make a run that Gordon Cowans doesn't spot'.

That's a great quote.  I haven't been able to find the interview but I remember Sir Graham paying tribute to Sid's incredible talent around that time.  SGT said that when the team were practising free kicks on the training ground he could turn his back and he'd know exactly which kick was Sid's because of the sweet ping you heard when he struck the ball. 

What a wonderful player he was.  Good luck, Sid, and thankyou.

[Louzie0]

Tony Morley was my hero but Sid and Gary Shaw and Peter Withe were right up there. I actually thought Steve Foster was great as well. (It was the eighties,( I was in my early teens and he wore a headband-(it seemed 'cool' at the time).

We were watching at the same time.
I loved the headband!

[pbavfckuwait]

A true humble gentleman and one of a very few who deserves the title of LEGEND, meet Sid a good number of times, with two other greats Gary Shaw and Tony Morley, use to work with Tony a number of years after he had stopped playing, we were selling insurance.
Lasting memory not football related was having a soda water fight with Gary Shaw and Tony in the Elbow room. Sid was the quiet one , but can still be found in the Social now and again after a match.
Thank you Sid for how you performed over the years for Aston Villa.

[Godfrey Brian]

All the best Sid. Used to love the way opposition midfielders would imagine he couldn't tackle because of his size and then spend the game trying to get the ball back off him. A Villa great and criminally neglected by England bar the odd selection.

[Mister E]

Brian Little, John Gidman and Sid are my real star players.
Sid's range of passing and sheer tenacity in the tackle made him almost unique in football: a ball-winning ball-player. He and Hoddle should have dominated Enlgand's team for years together; shame he got picked late and then got injured.
Best game? - 4-1 away at Spurs, where he completely outshone the new Argies of Ardiles and Villa in their home debut; August 1978.

[oldhill_avfc]

Some think Hoddle was the best English midfielder of his era.

He wasn't.  It's that simple.

[JD]

So many great quotes and memories posted. I will just add that legend is an easily banded word for players but should be reserved for the likes of Sid. A wonderful, wonderful player, it was a pleasure to watch him play for Villa.

All the best Gordon, we will never forget you. 

[Chico Hamilton III]

So what's the real reason for him leaving?

[Dr Butler]

Some think Hoddle was the best English midfielder of his era.

He wasn't.  It's that simple.

I have this battle here in Cambridge about Hoddle and Sid....he wasn't in my opinion even the 2nd best...that was our Tone....and as much as it hurts me to say it even Brooking was better.

in my opinion of course....

UTV
The Doc

[Brend'Watkins]

So what's the real reason for him leaving?

Not enough of the recent youth making the required grade possibly?

[aj2k77]

So what's the real reason for him leaving?

Not enough of the recent youth making the required grade possibly?

It would be hard to argue with that. Things seem to have gone stale all throughout the club and a fresh look at everything is fine with me.

[darren woolley]

All the best Legend many a great time watching you play.