Tom Cowan

Thomas Cowan (born 28 August 1969) is a Scottish former footballer who played as a defender.

During his career he played for Clyde, Rangers, Sheffield United, Stoke City, Huddersfield Town, Burnley, Cambridge United, Peterborough United, York City, Dundee, Carlisle United, Barrow, Workington, Hucknall Town, Stalybridge Celtic, Hyde United and Retford United.

Career Cowan was born in Bellshill and began his career with Holytown Colts and Netherdale Boys Club before joining Clyde in 1988; he spent most of the 1988–89 season playing for Clyde while also working in a Lanarkshire steelworks and the club then signed the left back of the opposition on that day, David Robertson, to fill the position. helping them gain promotion in 1994–95 and reach the 1994 Football League Trophy final where they lost on penalties to Swansea City. He then had short spells at Burnley, Cambridge United, Peterborough United (scoring once against Wrexham) and York City (scoring once against Bury).

He returned to Scotland in August 2003, joining Dundee. He made his debut for Dundee on 31 August against Kilmarnock and scored on his second appearance in a 2–0 victory over Aberdeen on 20 September. However, after making six appearances for the club his contract was terminated after Dundee entered administration and he joined Carlisle United on 27 November 2003. His first season ended with the Cumbrian club being relegated to the Conference National, though he did help them gain an instant return to the Football League as they beat Stevenage Borough in the play-off final. He decided not to sign a new deal at Brunton Park and was released at the end of the season.

After leaving Carlisle, Cowan joined Barrow in the Conference North. From there he played for Workington, Hucknall Town and Stalybridge Celtic.

After football After retiring from playing, Cowan became a firefighter and joined the South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, speaking of the profession's collective ethos and camaraderie as being similar to his experience as a footballer. Tom is based at Parkway Fire Station and is one of the only ex professional footballers to hold a Turntable Ladder license.

Career statistics

A. The "Other" column constitutes appearances and goals in the Anglo-Italian Cup, Conference National play-offs, Football League Trophy, Football League play-offs, Full Members Cup and UEFA Cup.

Honours Rangers Scottish Football League Premier Division: 1988–89, 1989–90, 1990–91

Huddersfield Town Football League Trophy runner-up: 1993–94

Carlisle United Conference National play-offs: 2005

Individual PFA Team of the Year: 1994–95 Second Division Huddersfield Town Player of the Year: 1995–96, 1996–97