Alongside David Silva & Vincent Kompany, he is the only other player to have represented Manchester City in three FA Cup finals, as a runner-up in 1926 and 1933, and as a winner in 1934.

Cowan was born on 10 May 1901 in Chesterfield, but moved further north in his early years and was raised in Adwick le Street near Doncaster.

[3] He then started to play for local teams, including Adwick Juniors, Bullcroft Main Colliery and Denaby United and had an unsuccessful trial at Huddersfield Town.

[2] In 1923, Cowan gained his first professional contract following a successful trial at his local league club, Doncaster Rovers of the Third Division (North).

[2] Despite playing as a defender, during his time at Doncaster he scored regularly, including a hat-trick of headed goals against Halifax Town in March 1924.

[4] His performances gained the attention of bigger clubs, and in December 1924 he joined Manchester City, who sought a successor to the likes of Mick Hamill and Max Woosnam.

Starting all but four of Manchester City's matches in the 1925–26 season, Cowan was a key part of the team which reached the 1926 FA Cup Final, winning several ties by wide margins en route.

Matt Busby claimed that Cowan could "head a ball as far as most of us could kick it",[10] but Dean prevailed in the aerial battle, scoring Everton's second goal with a header.

"[11] Everton were 3–0 victors, but when Cowan received his runner's up medal from the Duke of York, he remarked that he would come back next year to win.

Cowan missed just three of the club's remaining fixtures that season, playing 29 times in the league and three in the FA Cup as City finished 12th.

In October 1945, a shortage of players resulted in Cowan taking to the field in a wartime match against Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic.

[4] In November 1946, Cowan became Manchester City manager, succeeding Wilf Wild, who moved to a purely administrative role.

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.

[21] Cowan later worked as a physiotherapist for cricket club Sussex CCC and ice hockey team Brighton Tigers.

[22][23][24] 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.