It was 53 years ago today Manchester City lost one of their legends. Aged 62, and while refereeing a benefit football match, Sam Cowan collapsed. He died a few moments later in the dressing rooms.
Manchester City signed Sam from Doncaster in 1924 and a few days later he made the first of his 369 games for City against Birmingham. City drew 2-2.
He was an inspirational leader, renowned for his man management skills. He motivated players on the field and keep them focused on their game. This would be vital and helped give City some of their early successes.
Sam, currently is still, the only City player to have played in three FA Cup Finals for City. Even with the recent spate of success, no City player as equaled that.
Yaya Toure, David Silva and Vincent Kompany all appeared in the success in 2011 along with the 2013 defeat. A run to the Final this season could of course see one, or all of those stake a claim.
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The first two appearances for Cowan were defeats. The first, against Bolton in 1926 and then against Everton in 1933.
Cowan led his disappointed players up to get their runners-up medals at Wembley from King George V. The King complimented Cowan and his team for their performance to which Sam replied, ‘Thank you Sir, but we’ll be back next year and win it‘.
In 1934, City and Cowan returned, and triumphed against Portsmouth to keep his word. This, in Sams case at least, made it third time lucky. In true City tradition he also won a Division Two Champions medal.
He did everything while at City, including getting a couple of England caps. However the League title eluded City until two years after he eventually left.
He would return to City, this time as Manager. It was after World War 2 but he lasted only six months before being replaced by John Thompson. It would be interesting to see what would have happened had City kept with Sam Cowan though as in the 26 league games he was in charge of, City won 18 to secure promotion back to the top flight.