Jimmy Cowan

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Seasons

Age*

Division

Appearances

Starts

Substitute

Unused

Goals

From

Played Under

George Ramsay led Management Committee

First Squad Appearance

Debut Appearance

First Goal

Saturday, 21 September 1889

Final Appearance

Saturday, 21 September 1901

Stoke (a), Division One

Final Squad Appearance

Saturday, 21 September 1901

Jimmy Cowan

Player #58 for Aston Villa, James Cowan, known as Jimmy Cowan and nicknamed Jas, played as a defender for the club. Jimmy represented Villa between 1889-90 and 1901-02.

Following in the footsteps of the great Archie Hunter and Dennis Hodgetts, Jimmy arguably became Villa’s third true legend.

Jimmy was born in Bonhill, Scotland on 17th October 1868 and made his debut as a 20 year old on 7th September 1889.

Villa had signed Jimmy from Vale of Leven Reserves in his native Scotland and he went on to represent the club over twelve seasons.

In his time with the Villa Jimmy won 9 major trophies: 5 League Championships, 2 FA Cups and 2 Charity Shields.

Jimmy played in all 30 of Villa’s games in the 1893-94 Championship winning season chipping in with 3 goals.

He followed that as an ever present in the 1894-95 FA Cup Winning team including the final hosted at Crystal Palace, London where Villa once again beat West Bromwich Albion, this time 1-0.

The following season 1895-96 brought another League Championship for Villa with Jimmy appearing on 23 occasions scoring twice which he followed up with another ever present campaign in the 1896-97 league championship winning season with 30 appearances and once.

That season also saw Villa complete a historic League and FA Cup double with Jimmy playing every FA Cup game including the final at Crystal Palace, London where Villa vanquished Everton 3-2.

Jimmy then made 58 league appearances over the following two seasons - 1898-99 and 1899-00 as Villa once again ran out as League Champions.

The Villa News and Record of 1st September 1906 paid tribute to Jimmy:

“For a long period one of the mainstays of Aston Villa as centre half-back. Originally came to the district to play for Warwick County FC, but was attached to Perry Barr. Always a favourite by reason of his untiring energy and skilful tackling. Quick in detecting favourable openings for his side, his prompt backing up and placing of the ball proved of immense value. Undismayed and uncomplaining after the hardest of games, he won a high position amongst the Villa celebrities. Occasionally scored, but did not shine as a goal-getter.”

Jimmy’s final game for Villa came on the 21st September 1901 after which he retired from football however he was soon back with Villa taking up the role of juniors coach.

Jimmy had played his entire Villa career under the George Ramsay led Management Committee.

Jimmy passed away in Glasgow on the 12th December 1915 aged just 47.