Hove Albion coaching staff. In October 1945, a shortage of players resulted in Cowan taking to the field in a wartime match against Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic. Aged 44 years and 156 days, he became the oldest ever Brighton player. While at Brighton, Cowan started a physiotherapy business based near the Goldstone Ground. In November 1946, Cowan became Manchester City manager, succeeding Wilf Wild, who moved to a purely administrative role. Cowan had been known for his motivational skills as a player, and was part of a new generation of managers who took responsibility for tactics and team selection, of which Cowan's contemporary and former teammate Matt Busby became the most well-known. Cowan was given a salary of £2,000, and came to an agreement whereby he spent part of the week with the Manchester City team and part looking after his business interests in Brighton. His first match as manager was a 3–0 win against Newport County, and the team then embarked upon a run of 19 matches without defeat. Despite achieving the Division Two title in his first season in charge, Cowan resigned in June 1947 as his commute from Brighton caused tension with club officials. Post-football Cowan later worked as a physiotherapist for cricket club Sussex CCC and ice hockey team Brighton Tigers. As a trainer with the Tigers he was named in the British National League All Star team for three years running from 1956 to 1958. He died on 4 October 1964 aged 63, when he suffered a heart attack, while refereeing a football charity match in aid of Sussex wicket keeper Jim Parks. He left behind a widow and one son. In 2004, he was elected to Manchester City's Hall of Fame. A street near Manchester City's former ground Maine Road, Sam Cowan Close, is named in his honour. Honours Player FA Cup 1934; runner-up: 1926, 1933 Second Division: 1927–28 Manager Manchester Challenge Shield: 1937 Second Division: 1946–47 References 1901 births 1964 deaths Footballers from Chesterfield English footballers England international footballers Association football defenders Denaby United F.C. players Bullcroft Main Colliery F.C. players Doncaster Rovers F.C. players Manchester City F.C. players Bradford City A.F.C. players Mossley A.F.C. players English Football League players English Football League representative players English football managers Mossley A.F.C. managers Manchester City F.C. managers English Football League managers FA Cup Final players