Ally McGowan

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Ally McGowan
Personal information
Full name Aloysius McGowan[1]
Date of birth (1930-01-22)22 January 1930[2]
Place of birth Airdrie, North Lanarkshire, Scotland[2]
Date of death 5 July 2005(2005-07-05) (aged 75)[3]
Place of death Wrexham, Wales[3]
Position(s) Defender
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
Fauldhouse United
1950–1953 St Johnstone 52 (0)
1953–1963 Wrexham 408 (2)
Bethesda Athletic
International career
1952 Scotland B 1 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Aloysius "Ally" McGowan (22 January 1930 – 5 July 2005) was a Scottish former footballer, who played as a defender.

Career[edit]

After playing for his village's youth team, McGowan was signed to Fauldhouse United. He played there for two years before being approached by the manager of Scottish Division Two side St Johnstone to play for the team.[1]

Whilst at St Johnstone, McGowan would play for Scotland B.[1]

In 1953, new St Johnstone manager Johnny Pattillo wanted to reduce the number of players in the squad, so let McGowan leave to Welsh club Wrexham on a free transfer.[1]

Whilst there, he got over 400 league appearances for Wrexham, and has the 4th most appearances by any player for Wrexham.[2]

McGowan retired in 1963 due to ongoing problems from an ankle injury at the age of 33, after a brief spell at Bethesda Athletic.[4] After retirement, McGowan served as the Wrexham groundsman for between seven and eight years.[4]

Personal life and death[edit]

McGowan was the brother of former Partick Thistle left-back Jimmy McGowan.[4][5]

McGowan died on 5 July 2005 in Wrexham.[3]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d "The Big Interview Red Passion says a big 'Hello' to the prince of the 1950s Wrexham side". Peter Davies. Retrieved 15 March 2018.
  2. ^ a b c "Ally McGowan". Neil Brown. Retrieved 15 March 2018.
  3. ^ a b c "Ally McGowan". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 15 March 2018.
  4. ^ a b c "The Big Interview: Peter Davies finishes his chit-chat with '50s legend Aly McGowan". Peter Davies. Retrieved 15 March 2018.
  5. ^ My advice to Thistle, Evening Times, 6 July 1957 (via Partick Thistle History Archive)