[2] McGowan moved from League of Ireland club Shelbourne to West Ham United in 1948, following a recommendation from Shels manager Charlie Turner, who had played for the Hammers before the war.
[3] There, he joined an Irish contingent of players that included Tommy Moroney and Frank O'Farrell, who had been recruited from Cork United.
[4] McGowan played 88 times for The Hammers, scoring 9 goals,[5] before moving to Southern League club Chelmsford City in 1954.
[3] He made three international appearances for the Republic of Ireland national football team, all games in 1949.
His funeral took place in Canning Town and was attended by former teammate John Dick.