Sid Cowans leaves Villa

[Monty]

I once met a Bari fan who insisted on telling me how much better Sid was than Platt. Pretty sure he's in a small minority of Bari fans, but it was the right thing to say for reasons more important than the truth.

[Exeter 77]

Didn't he have a blinder for Blackburn when they smashed us 3-0 in about 1993?

He ran the game against a Villa midfield which included Kevin Richardson and Ray Houghton (but not Andy Townsend). 21st April 1993, we pretty much conceded the title that night.

[eamonn]

Did Sid recommend Bari to Platt or were other clubs in for him too? Always struck me as strange that a small unfashionable club in the south of Italy were able to spend a record (British transfer amount?) on Platt.

[Whiney MacWhineface]

From the Oracle (and you don't get much more Delphic than this):

Dr. Tony Xia ‏@Dr_TonyXia  5h5 hours ago

Dr. Tony Xia Retweeted Phil Harris
Checked. Sid wanted to retire 4himself but he'll help the club all the time. Regretful that 1Tony came 1left!#UTVDr. Tony Xia added,

Phil Harris @PhilHs10
@Dr_TonyXia I am concerned that Sid has gone, very sad day. Can you confirm he wasn't sacked & that he will be looked after #avfc #UTV

[Monty]

Did Sid recommend Bari to Platt or were other clubs in for him too? Always struck me as strange that a small unfashionable club in the south of Italy were able to spend a record (British transfer amount?) on Platt.

I think a few clubs wanted him. Bari were pretty flush at the time, but so was most of Italian football compared to most of Europe - it was a bit like West Ham buying Payet these days or something. How times change.

[The Edge]

couldn't half tackle as well

True. No half tackles from Sid!

A word often used for a player of Sid's physique is 'wiry'.  And he most certainly was.  His passing and vision are renowned but his tackling was right up there too.  He had that precise timing which allowed him to tackle by sliding in with one leg bent to block the ball which when won allowed him to immediately spring up and take the ball with him leaving his opponent on the ground bewildered. I've seen no one since anywhere showing such technique on a continual basis.

I can visualise those perfectly timed tackles as if it was yesterday. There is nobody in professional football at any level today who pulls off that skill. He could run up alongside a player go to ground and drag the ball from under the player who would inevitably fall flat on his face. Sid would rise to his feet in one smooth movement and ping the ball straight onto the toe of whoever he picked out. Truly poetry in motion. Thanks for the memories Sid VTID

[LeeB]

Garry Parker was quite good at that kind of tackle.

[AGRIPPA]

Did Sid recommend Bari to Platt or were other clubs in for him too? Always struck me as strange that a small unfashionable club in the south of Italy were able to spend a record (British transfer amount?) on Platt.

I think a few clubs wanted him. Bari were pretty flush at the time, but so was most of Italian football compared to most of Europe - it was a bit like West Ham buying Payet these days or something. How times change.

IIRC they never paid all the money....think Doug said so in his book

[nodge]

I got an autograph from Sid at an Old Stars game in Streetly. In my time I've met loads of famous people - mostly musicians admittedly - but that was the only time I couldn't utter a word for excitement.

I was, and still am, like it for the 80-82 side. I've dealt with loads of authors, actors etc with no problems but it comes to them and i'm useless. Used to see loads of them when selling on Witton Lane, never said a word. I'd just stare and probably look like a nutter. I remember Colin Gibson walking past one day and as usual I just stared trying to think of anything to say other than "fuck me it's Gibbo!" and he stared back and sped up until he was safely in the North Stand car park.

Some months ago saw Gary Shaw at the local Tesco, again I had to resist saying some crap like "it's Gary fucking Shaw!"

I was like that and couldn't utter a word but for different reasons.  It was after the Tottenham game a few years ago, I think it was the last home game of the season when we drew 1-1.  We were in an executive box so the day started with breakfast and drinks on Broad St at about 10am.  On to the game and the hospitality etc and then after the game we moved to the 82 suite.  My mate's son was being coached by Morley at the time so we started having a chat with him then after a few more drinks there he said they were all off to the Adventurers and would we like to join them.  It all started to get a bit hazy after that and a few days later I was talking to my brother in law who was with us at the match but was a bit less worse for wear than me.  I said to him that I remember being at the bar with Sid but can't for the life of me remember what we were talking about.  He burst out laughing and said "Talking? You just kept buying him drinks, hugging him and kissing him on the top of his head." 

[The Edge]

I got an autograph from Sid at an Old Stars game in Streetly. In my time I've met loads of famous people - mostly musicians admittedly - but that was the only time I couldn't utter a word for excitement.

I was, and still am, like it for the 80-82 side. I've dealt with loads of authors, actors etc with no problems but it comes to them and i'm useless. Used to see loads of them when selling on Witton Lane, never said a word. I'd just stare and probably look like a nutter. I remember Colin Gibson walking past one day and as usual I just stared trying to think of anything to say other than "fuck me it's Gibbo!" and he stared back and sped up until he was safely in the North Stand car park.

Some months ago saw Gary Shaw at the local Tesco, again I had to resist saying some crap like "it's Gary fucking Shaw!"

I was like that and couldn't utter a word but for different reasons.  It was after the Tottenham game a few years ago, I think it was the last home game of the season when we drew 1-1.  We were in an executive box so the day started with breakfast and drinks on Broad St at about 10am.  On to the game and the hospitality etc and then after the game we moved to the 82 suite.  My mate's son was being coached by Morley at the time so we started having a chat with him then after a few more drinks there he said they were all off to the Adventurers and would we like to join them.  It all started to get a bit hazy after that and a few days later I was talking to my brother in law who was with us at the match but was a bit less worse for wear than me.  I said to him that I remember being at the bar with Sid but can't for the life of me remember what we were talking about.  He burst out laughing and said "Talking? You just kept buying him drinks, hugging him and kissing him on the top of his head."

LOL.  Your a legend!

[FrankyH]

An absolutely gifted footballer . Sid was the first Villa player I watched live and I instantly knew had that very special  talent , that is only bestowed on a few.I saw Brian Little play , but wasn't  really old enough to appreciate his obvious talent.

I always remember watching Sid in the warm up at Villa Park and loved his little trick of flicking the ball on to his boot then turning 360 with the ball balanced on his left or right foot.

Met him a couple of times and made the mistake once of telling him he was a left footer, he soon put me right ! A great player , great bloke and an Aston Villa legend.

[IGS]

Gutted sid is leaving villa park. he is villa through and through and surely we need people like that on board. I had hopes he would be the manager one day!!

good luck in all you do sid and thanks for the memories - you made the team tick.

[The Edge]

Gutted sid is leaving villa park. he is villa through and through and surely we need people like that on board. I had hopes he would be the manager one day!!

good luck in all you do sid and thanks for the memories - you made the team tick.

He may have left the job but I can guarantee you that he hasn't left villa park. He's already said he's looking forward to going the games purely as a fan.

[martin o`who??]

"The Gordon Cowans Stand"  - that has a nice ring to it - and would be entirely appropriate.

[LeeB]

"The Gordon Cowans Stand"  - that has a nice ring to it - and would be entirely appropriate.

We should rebuild the stadium into a 13 sided arena, then we could name each stand after the 11 that started the European Cup final, Spinksy coming on as sub and the manager.

And it will be a disgrace if we don't.