Sammy McGowan

Biography

Samuel “Sammy” McGowan was born in Cambuslang on 26 April 1920. Known throughout his career as “Wee Sammy”, he played for Vale of Clyde and was part of Motherwell’s Scottish Cup final squad before the Second World War. After wartime football he represented Morton and joined St Johnstone in 1947.

McGowan was persuaded to move south to Weymouth in 1948 and became one of the outstanding forwards of the club’s post-war history. He played in the famous FA Cup third-round tie with Manchester United in 1949–50 and was part of the Weymouth sides that finished as Southern League runners-up in 1951–52 and 1954–55, as well as runners-up in the Southern League Cup in 1952–53.

His consistency was exceptional. McGowan was ever-present in the senior side from 7 February 1951 until 28 April 1956 and in 1956 represented the Western League in its annual Champions versus The Rest fixture. The Weymouth ledger records 483 appearances—482 starts and one substitute appearance—and 78 goals.

He left to play for Portland United in 1959, but his service to Weymouth was far from over. In 1960 he became first-team trainer at the Recreation Ground and held the position until 1972. Even after retirement he made a guest appearance in a benefit match at Dorchester during 1966–67.

McGowan also became a familiar local figure as landlord of the Cornopean public house opposite the Recreation Ground. The Two Counties Challenge Cup was later played for the Sammy McGowan Trophy, a fitting tribute to someone whose influence reached across local football. He died in Weymouth on 7 July 1997.