'King' Cowan will always be Stevie wonder to Portadown fans

Two themes rapidly emerge.

The first is that the striker couldn’t run due to his famed dodgy knees, the second that he holds a place as the most natural and instinctive finisher in Portadown’s history.

The first comment, always made with great affection for a player still revered at Shamrock Park, may hold some truth but has been embellished over the years to the point of mythology.

The second, however, is beyond dispute.

Cowan remains a club legend even among a generation of fans too young to have ever witnessed his blend of composure and clinical finishing which proved key to countless trophies with the Ports.

A loan signing initially from Motherwell in February 1990 following Marty Magee’s lengthy suspension, Cowan bagged seven goals in eight appearances - including one on the final day against Linfield to seal the club’s historic first Irish League title.

The following season ended with Cowan on 41 goals from 52 appearances overall as the Ports secured the league-and-cup double, with that final tally bolstered by just eight penalty kicks.

Limit the focus to the Irish League title-winning run and the figures take on added weight as Cowan found the net 18 times across just 27 games.

His value to the club extended beyond simple statistics as, widely respected for his professionalism, Cowan’s speed of thought added a decisive cutting edge and ability to both create and find space while increasing the attacking threat of a team blessed with creativity and a scoring touch across the pitch.

Cowan and strike partner Sandy Fraser - the names of Cowan-Fraser and Stevie-Sandy run together as naturally as night follows day when fans turn the clock back to that golden era – may have arrived at Portadown from Scotland but the legendary partnership was very much forged on the grass of Shamrock Park and other Irish League grounds.

Cowan may not have been a scorer of great goals in terms of long-range drives destined for the highlights reel but he was the ultimate goalscorer, a poacher who came alive in the penalty area.

“I think I was always a bit quicker than people made out, especially over 10 yards or so,” said Cowan in a 2011 'Portadown Times' interview. “To be honest, the quality of service was so good in that side, I just had to find a bit of room and the ball would arrive.

“Ronnie McFall put together a really good squad and it was amazing to be part of such record-breaking achievements in Portadown’s history.

“I will always look back on my time at Portadown as up alongside anything I ever achieved back home in Scotland with Aberdeen.

“Actually, both clubs were quite similar in terms of a provincial outfit taking on and beating the city giants.

“That first Irish League win sent out a message and during the few years I spent at Portadown I must have won something like eight or nine honours.

“Aside from the medals, it is the memories which really mean so much as not only was it a brilliant dressing room but everyone around the club, and even the town, made me feel so welcome from day one.

“The fans took to me early on and it was always a real honour to get invitations to supporters’ club functions or even social nights and Boys’ Brigade evenings.

“We always made a point, whenever possible, of stopping for a drink under the old stand after home games and fans really seemed to appreciate the fact the players were so open.

“Obviously, the success helped but the people of Portadown seemed so grateful for our role in bringing major trophies to the town and club.

"You look back at old photographs or footage and thousands turned out to support us. In the end, I made quite a few friends and will always appreciate and value that time.”

Cowan feels that squad approached games with respect for the opposition but a confidence generated by complete faith in the quality of team-mates.

An extended support network - provided by the management team and coaching panel, plus total backing from the boardroom – also proved a crucial element.

“It was a great backroom team with people like Bob Nesbitt, Geordie Richardson and Derek McKinley, plus support from the club officials,” said Cowan. “Bar a few words, Ronnie pretty much used to just throw the ball in and let us get on with it due to the character and will-to-win across the team.

“We all got on really well but when the time came for any tough talk there was that level of mutual respect.

"We walked out on to that pitch and never felt intimidated by the opposition, even Linfield or Glentoran.

“We knew we could play but also had the ability to mix it up and look out for each other.

“The team worked hard but offered such a threat in terms of goals so even if sides doubled up on certain players that just left space for someone else.

"It was a real joy to be part of that squad.

“We never looked too far ahead and enjoyed the football so that all helped reduce any feelings of tiredness from so many fixtures.

"Everyone was so well looked after by the club and that made life easy, plus people like Sandy and Gregg Davidson kept up the banter.”

Cowan’s first full season secured double delight - another Ports landmark - within a packed schedule that utilised just 24 players across eight draining domestic competitions, with 14 featuring in a third or more fixtures.

“We played over 60 times and pretty much spent the season with games each Saturday and midweek,” he said. “Wrapping up the league at Seaview with quite a few weeks still to go not only allowed us to enjoy the remaining fixtures but also prepare for the Irish Cup final (against Glenavon).

“We lost out the previous season to Glentoran in the Irish Cup final after winning the league but everything had been so tight.

“It was a different story in 1990/91 and to complete the double in front of so many thousands proved a great feeling.

“I have watched the tape a few times over the years and it was a good match with a brilliant atmosphere.

“The ground was just red-and-white and blue-and-white and although I scored the goals (in a 2-1 win), credit obviously must go to the rest of the lads.

"Glenavon really pushed us hard that season and they had some wonderful players so it needed a real team effort.

“You always dream of scoring the winning goal in a cup final and at the final whistle my mind went blank.

"I just reacted to the emotion of the day.

“It was a fantastic feeling but just one of the great memories I have.”

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