Gordon Cowans

[devilla]

Very sad news. A real legend of a player.

My thoughts are with his family and friends.

[Flamingo Lane]

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.

[Sexual Ealing]

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

[Somniloquism]

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.

[ventnorVillain]

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.

[Villa Lew]

Such sad news, a brilliant footballer and a brilliant man.

[Brend'Watkins]

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.

[pauliewalnuts]

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.

[Exeter 77]

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.

[nick harper]

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.

[FrankyH]

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.

[VillaTim]

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.

[waynejames]

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.

[Percy McCarthy]

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.

[Hillbilly]

Also Kent Neilsen v Inter at about 1h10m