He joined Newcastle in October 1943 at the age of 20 – a time when the club were only playing friendly matches as World War II meant all the football leagues in England were suspended.
[4] He made his Football League debut on 1 February 1947 in a match against Barnsley and would feature a further 12 times before the end of the season.
Along with Jackie Milburn and Bobby Mitchel Cowell featured in all three of Newcastle's FA Cup successes during the 1950s.
Bobby Cowell was forced to retire in 1955 at the age of 33 when he picked up a serious knee injury during a pre-season tour of Germany.
One of Newcastle United's top goalscorers of all time, Jackie Milburn, stated that Cowell was "the best uncapped fullback I've ever known".