David Cowling

David Roy Cowling (born 27 November 1958) is an English former professional footballer who played in the Football League as a midfielder for Huddersfield Town, where he played 340 league games during the 1970s and 1980s. He also played for Scunthorpe United and Reading.[3]

Dave Cowling
Personal information
Full name David Roy Cowling[1]
Date of birth (1958-11-27) 27 November 1958[1]
Place of birth Doncaster,[1] England
Height 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m)[2]
Position(s) Midfielder
Youth career
Mansfield Town
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1976–1977 Mansfield Town 0 (0)
1978–1988 Huddersfield Town 340 (43)
1988 → Scunthorpe United (loan) 1 (0)
1988 Reading 10 (1)
1988–1991 Scunthorpe United 89 (5)
Teams managed
1997 Doncaster Rovers
1998–1999 Goole A.F.C
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Playing career

Born in Doncaster, Cowling started his career at Mansfield Town, but never appeared for their first team before moving to Huddersfield Town in 1977.[3] He is particularly remembered for two goals he scored during the 1982–83 season: the winner against Leeds United in the Football League Cup, and the only goal of the game against Newport County which secured Huddersfield's promotion to the Second Division.[4][5]

He was regarded as a very promising prospect and was linked with moves to Manchester United, Leeds United and Nottingham Forest on more than one occasion.

He later signed for Reading in 1988, before returning to Glanford Park.[3]

Managerial career

After his playing days, Cowling joined the coaching staff at Scunthorpe United.[3] He then moved to Doncaster Rovers, where he coached the youth teams before taking over as first team manager in October 1997, a post which he resigned after ten days because of interference from the chairman regarding team selection.[6] He remained on the staff under Danny Bergara's management, but was laid off a few months later.[7]

After a short stint at Goole AFC, and turning down management positions abroad, notably in the United States and Sweden, Cowling went on to become director of youth at Bury,[8] youth development officer for Darlington F.C.,[9] and then also director of a football development centre at Darlington College,[10] and established a soccer school in partnership with his son Lee, also a former professional footballer.[11] Cowling also holds a UEFA Pro qualified coach badge.

As well as his position with Darlington, he has spent time working for Southampton FC as a club scout. He is also a Northern scout for Liverpool and Fulham FC.

Highly regarded by many Premier League clubs for his experience in youth development, Cowling has unparalleled experience as a player and coach at all levels of the game. He also works for The FA Premier League as a Staff Coach at The Premier League Exit trials.

As of 2011, Cowling set up and runs a footballing academy based at the Keepmoat Stadium in Doncaster, England with his son Lee. The academy is the only one of its kind in the United Kingdom, providing formal education and footballing education to teenagers and young adults.[12] In 2016, Esprit expanded to the United States, with Cowling's son Lee hosting soccer camps during the summer.

References
  1. "David Cowling". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 13 April 2020.
  2. Dunk, Peter, ed. (1987). Rothmans Football Yearbook 1987–88. London: Queen Anne Press. p. 194. ISBN 978-0-356-14354-5.
  3. "Dave Cowling". UK A–Z Transfers. Neil Brown. Retrieved 18 November 2009.
  4. Booth, Mel (10 April 2008). "'I want attacking football and promotion'". Huddersfield Daily Examiner. Retrieved 18 November 2009.
  5. "The week that was 1983" (reprint). Huddersfield Daily Examiner. FindArticles. 8 May 2004. Retrieved 18 November 2009.
  6. "Managers". DoncasterRovers.co.uk. Forward Productions. Archived from the original on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 18 November 2009.
  7. "Football: Doncaster lay off coaches". The Independent. 14 March 1998. Retrieved 18 November 2009.
  8. "Gigg Youth Pair Lose Jobs". Bury Times. 5 November 1999. Retrieved 22 December 2009.
  9. "Quakers in Link". The Northern Echo. 10 October 2001. Retrieved 22 December 2009.
  10. "Door Is Opened To Career in Football". The Northern Echo. 22 March 2003. Retrieved 22 December 2009.
  11. "Dave Cowling". Soccer Planet. Retrieved 22 December 2009.
  12. "Esprit Football Academy".
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