Alan Gowling
Encyclopedia
Alan Edwin Gowling is a former English footballer who played as a forward for many clubs in the north of England.
by way of county schools and Manchester University, where he studied for a degree in economics. He played for United juniors while at University, and once scored seven goals in a 'B' game. Due to his degree, he earned the nickname "Bamber", after the host of University Challenge
. He is one of only seven graduates to have played for United.
Gowling made a goalscoring league debut against Stoke City. Coincidentally, he also played his last game for United against Stoke City, coming on as a substitute for Bobby Charlton. He played 87 times for United and once scored four in a game against Southampton on 20 February 1971. Nevertheless, Gowling was never really a first choice player at the club, and he enjoyed his longest run in the side when playing in midfield in his final season in 1971–72. He was sold to Huddersfield Town
for £65,000 in June 1972.
After a disappointing period at Huddersfield which resulted in two relegations, he joined Newcastle United
as a strike partner for Malcolm MacDonald
. At Newcastle he scored their goal in the 1976 League Cup Final defeat at the hands of Manchester City. He matured under the guidance of Gordon Lee
, before moving to Bolton Wanderers
in 1978. He retired from football in 1984, aged 36, after a period at Preston North End
.
Gowling gained England caps at amateur, Schoolboy and Under-23 level. Alan represented the British Olympic side at the 1968 Summer Olympics
.
.
Football career
Gowling went to Manchester UnitedManchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
by way of county schools and Manchester University, where he studied for a degree in economics. He played for United juniors while at University, and once scored seven goals in a 'B' game. Due to his degree, he earned the nickname "Bamber", after the host of University Challenge
University Challenge
University Challenge is a British quiz programme that has aired since 1962. The format is based on the American show College Bowl, which ran on NBC radio from 1953 to 1957, and on NBC television from 1959 to 1970....
. He is one of only seven graduates to have played for United.
Gowling made a goalscoring league debut against Stoke City. Coincidentally, he also played his last game for United against Stoke City, coming on as a substitute for Bobby Charlton. He played 87 times for United and once scored four in a game against Southampton on 20 February 1971. Nevertheless, Gowling was never really a first choice player at the club, and he enjoyed his longest run in the side when playing in midfield in his final season in 1971–72. He was sold to Huddersfield Town
Huddersfield Town F.C.
Huddersfield Town Football Club is an English football club formed in 1908 and based in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. They currently play in League One...
for £65,000 in June 1972.
After a disappointing period at Huddersfield which resulted in two relegations, he joined Newcastle United
Newcastle United F.C.
Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger...
as a strike partner for Malcolm MacDonald
Malcolm MacDonald
Malcolm John MacDonald OM, PC was a British politician and diplomat.-Background:MacDonald was the son of Prime Minister Ramsay MacDonald and Margaret MacDonald. Like his father he was born in Lossiemouth, Moray...
. At Newcastle he scored their goal in the 1976 League Cup Final defeat at the hands of Manchester City. He matured under the guidance of Gordon Lee
Gordon Lee (footballer)
Gordon Francis Lee is a former English footballer and football manager.A right-back during his playing days, he moved from Hednesford Town to Aston Villa in 1955...
, before moving to Bolton Wanderers
Bolton Wanderers F.C.
Bolton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the area of Horwich in the Metropolitan Borough of Bolton, Greater Manchester. They began their current spell in the Premier League in 2001....
in 1978. He retired from football in 1984, aged 36, after a period at Preston North End
Preston North End F.C.
Preston North End Football Club is an English professional football club located in the Deepdale area of the city of Preston, Lancashire, currently playing in the third tier of English league football, League One...
.
Gowling gained England caps at amateur, Schoolboy and Under-23 level. Alan represented the British Olympic side at the 1968 Summer Olympics
1968 Summer Olympics
The 1968 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XIX Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event held in Mexico City, Mexico in October 1968. The 1968 Games were the first Olympic Games hosted by a developing country, and the first Games hosted by a Spanish-speaking country...
.
Later career
He is now the secretary of the Manchester United old boys association and regularly summarises Bolton Wanderers games on BBC Radio ManchesterBBC Radio Manchester
BBC Radio Manchester is a BBC Local Radio station broadcasting to Greater Manchester in North West England. It broadcasts 24 hours a day from studios at MediaCityUK in Salford Quays via a transmitter at Holme Moss, with a small repeater at Saddleworth covering Tameside and Saddleworth...
.
Manchester United
- First DivisionFootball League First DivisionThe First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship....
(1): 1966–67