William Cowan

William Duncan Cowan was born on 9^th August 1896 in Edinburgh.

He joined Dundee from Edinburgh junior club Tranent in 1920. Initially he was in the ranks of the “A” team. Once he did make the step up to the first team, he was a commanding presence, described as a “brainy inside forward,” and “possesses a swerving glide that is very deceptive.”

His performances on the pitch caught the Scotland selector’s attention, and he was selected for a trial in an East v West match in Glasgow. This led to him being selected for the Scottish League v English League match on 17^th February 1923, but due to an injury sustained shortly before the fixture he was unable to play.

Billy made the move to Newcastle on 3^rd July 1923. He had been retained by Dundee at the end of the 1922-23 season, with the proviso that if a transfer offer he was keen on was made he would be allowed to leave.

He was a member of Newcastle United’s F.A. Cup winning team of 1924-25, and his good form drew attention from other clubs. Everton showed interest, and Cowan was keen for a new challenge. It was Maine Road though that was to be his next port of call in 1926.

The move to Manchester City didn’t prove to be a good one, his form dipped, and by December he was put up for transfer by the club. By the start of the 1927-28 season he had returned to Scotland, joining St Mirren.

He ended his career with Bath City in 1930.

William did gain a Scotland cap. He was selected for the England v Scotland match at Wembley on 12^th April 1924. The game ended in a 1-1 draw, and he scored Scotland’s goal in the 44^th minute.