- Birthdate: 6 January 1876
- Birthplace: Cambuslang, Scotland
- Date of death: 15 November 1957
- Other clubs: Cambuslang Hibernian (1894-96), Woolwich Arsenal (1899-1900), Middlesbrough (1900-01), Chesterfield Town (1901-02)
- Signed from: Cambuslang Hibernian
- Signed for LFC: 26.10.1896
- Liverpool debut: 03.04.1897
- Last appearance: 08.04.1899
- Debut goal: 27.11.1897
- Last goal: 03.12.1898
- Contract expiry: 01.05.1899
- Win ratio: 42.86% W:15 D:7 L:13
- Games/goals ratio: 3.18
- League games / goals: 33 / 11
- Total games / goals: 35 / 11
Player Profile
Forward McCowie made his name in Scotland with Glasgow amateurs Cambuslang Hibernian who won the Glasgow Junior league in 1895/96. The Cricket and Football Field on 31 October 1896, reported on his transfer to Liverpool: "Tom Watson is reputed to know what a football player is, and in capturing McCowie, of the Cambuslang Hibs, he is said to have secured an inside right who is at present clever enough to shine against the best of our League defenders. A dashing player, who dribbles well and shoots to perfection, is only part of his recommendations, and if only he can hit the target at a decent range, to my mind he will supply what all of our League clubs desire – goals."
In 1896/97 McCowie played in the final two League fixtures, praised for a "capital display" in his second game, a goalless draw against Preston. Liverpool were consolidating their first division status after their initial promotion to the top division had ended in immediate relegation. McCowie managed six goals from 19 League games in 1897/98 as the club finished in ninth and his five goals in 12 matches the following season helped his team climb the table significantly to finish runners-up in the championship, just two points behind Aston Villa.
Appearances per season
A more detailed look at the player's appearances
Apps |
Minutes |
Opponent |
3 |
270 |
Sunderland |
3 |
270 |
Sheffield United |
3 |
270 |
Derby |
3 |
270 |
Bury |
3 |
270 |
Nottingham Forest |
2 |
180 |
Bolton Wanderers |
2 |
180 |
WBA |
2 |
180 |
Sheffield Wednesday |
2 |
180 |
Preston North End |
2 |
180 |
Blackburn Rovers |
2 |
180 |
Aston Villa |
1 |
90 |
Manchester United |
1 |
90 |
Newcastle United |
1 |
90 |
Stoke City |
1 |
90 |
Notts County |
1 |
90 |
Hucknall St Johns |
1 |
90 |
Burnley |
1 |
90 |
Everton |
1 |
90 |
Wolves |
Total |
Venue |
19 |
Home |
16 |
Away |
Total |
W |
D |
L |
Win % |
Manager |
35 |
15 |
7 |
13 |
42.9% |
Tom Watson |
Goals per season
A more detailed look at the player's goalscoring
Milestone Appearances
# |
Date |
Against |
Stadium |
Competition |
1 |
03.04.1897 |
The Wednesday |
Anfield |
League |
Milestone Goals
# |
Minute |
Date |
Against |
Stadium |
Competition |
1 |
5 |
27.11.1897 |
Nottingham Forest |
City Ground |
League |
Other Clubs
Club |
Season |
Club rank |
League apps |
League goals |
Total apps |
Total goals |
Cambuslang Hibernian |
1895-1896 |
Glasgow Junior League |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
Arsenal |
1899-1900 |
England Second Division |
25 |
7 |
30 |
7 |
Arsenal |
1900-1901 |
England Second Division |
3 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
Middlesbrough |
1900-1901 |
England Second Division |
16 |
5 |
20 |
7 |
Chesterfield |
1901-1902 |
England Second Division |
17 |
7 |
18 |
7 |
Total |
61 |
19 |
71 |
21 |