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Author Topic: Gordon Cowans - still going  (Read 32133 times)

Online dorsetvillian

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Re: Gordon Cowans
« Reply #150 on: March 30, 2024, 09:47:42 AM »
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...

Offline frankmosswasmyuncle

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Re: Gordon Cowans
« Reply #151 on: March 30, 2024, 10:44:10 AM »
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.

Offline ASHTONVILLA

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Re: Gordon Cowans
« Reply #152 on: March 30, 2024, 11:11:36 AM »
I worry every time this thread gets bumped. One of my favourite players of all time, and a nice bloke as well.

Offline Rotterdam

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Re: Gordon Cowans
« Reply #153 on: March 30, 2024, 11:14:20 AM »
Wishing Sid and his family all the best. A true villa great.

Offline PeterWithesShin

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Re: Gordon Cowans
« Reply #154 on: March 30, 2024, 09:15:37 PM »
Unai met Sid tonight after the game


Offline eamonn

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Re: Gordon Cowans
« Reply #155 on: March 30, 2024, 09:42:29 PM »
Fantastic!

Online VILLA MOLE

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Re: Gordon Cowans
« Reply #156 on: March 30, 2024, 09:43:48 PM »
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Offline Cliftonville Villlain

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Re: Gordon Cowans
« Reply #157 on: March 30, 2024, 09:54:40 PM »
I would rate the understanding of Sid and Platt up there with any of them.

Offline Toronto Villa

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Re: Gordon Cowans
« Reply #158 on: March 31, 2024, 12:14:05 AM »
That photo makes you happy and sad all at once.

Offline WassallVillain

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Re: Gordon Cowans
« Reply #159 on: March 31, 2024, 10:45:58 AM »
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.

Offline pauliewalnuts

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Re: Gordon Cowans
« Reply #160 on: March 31, 2024, 10:48:26 AM »
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 ;-)

Online dave.woodhall

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Re: Gordon Cowans
« Reply #161 on: March 31, 2024, 10:48:44 AM »
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.

Offline Legion

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Re: Gordon Cowans
« Reply #162 on: March 31, 2024, 10:57:38 AM »
It is.

Offline PeterWithesShin

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Re: Gordon Cowans
« Reply #163 on: March 31, 2024, 11:03:42 AM »
It's Weimann after scoring the winner in the 3-2 win over Man City in 13/14.

Offline WassallVillain

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Re: Gordon Cowans
« Reply #164 on: March 31, 2024, 11:05:16 AM »
Quote from: WassallVillain link= :-[topic=60693.msg4561518#msg4561518 date=1711878358
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.

 


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