# Don Cowan

> Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Don_Cowan
> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Don_Cowan.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don_Cowan
> Source revision: 1333416591
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

{{short description|American-born Irish footballer}}
{{for|the Darlington goalkeeper|Don Cowan (footballer, born 1931)}}
{{Use British English|date=June 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2022}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name                = Don Cowan
| image               = Don Cowan (cropped).jpg
| caption             = Cowan with [Longford Town](/source/Longford_Town_F.C.) in 2014
| fullname            = 
| birth_date          = {{Birth date and age|1989|11|16|df=y}}<ref name="Don Cowan – Profile">{{cite news
| title = Don Cowan – Profile
| url = https://uk.soccerway.com/players/don-cowen/83978/
| website = Soccerway
| access-date = 1 September 2011}}</ref>
| birth_place = New York City, U.S.<ref name="Don Cowan – Profile"/>
| height               = {{height|ft=5|in=10}}<ref>{{cite book|editor1-first=Glenda|editor1-last=Rollin|editor2-first=Jack|editor2-last=Rollin|title=Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2012–2013|year=2012|publisher=[Headline](/source/Headline_Publishing_Group)|location=London|isbn=978-0-7553-6356-8|page=533|edition=43rd}}</ref>
| position             = [Winger](/source/Midfielder), [forward](/source/Forward_(association_football))
| youthyears1          = 2008–2009
| youthclubs1          = [Shamrock&nbsp;Rovers&nbsp;A](/source/Shamrock_Rovers_F.C._B) 
| years1               = 2009–2010
| years2               = 2010
| years3               = 2010–2011
| years4               = 2011–2013
| years5               = 2012
| years6               = 2013
| years7               = 2013
| years8               = 2013
| years9               = 2014–2017
| clubs1               = [Shamrock Rovers](/source/Shamrock_Rovers_F.C.)
| clubs2               = → [Longford Town](/source/Longford_Town_F.C.) (loan)
| clubs3               = [Longford Town](/source/Longford_Town_F.C.)
| clubs4               = [Stevenage](/source/Stevenage_F.C.)
| clubs5               = → [Braintree Town](/source/Braintree_Town_F.C.) (loan)
| clubs6               = [Dundee](/source/Dundee_F.C.)
| clubs7               = [Southend United](/source/Southend_United_F.C.)
| clubs8               = [Stevenage](/source/Stevenage_F.C.)
| clubs9               = [Longford Town](/source/Longford_Town_F.C.)
| caps1                = 8
| caps2                = 13
| caps3                = 19
| caps4                = 8
| caps5                = 1
| caps6                = 2
| caps7                = 2
| caps8                = 1
| caps9                = 73
| goals1               = 0
| goals2               = 0
| goals3               = 8
| goals4               = 0
| goals5               = 0
| goals6               = 0
| goals7               = 0
| goals8               = 0
| goals9               = 4
| club-update          = 
| totalcaps = 127 | totalgoals = 12
}}

'''Don Cowan''' (born 16 November 1989) is an American former professional footballer who played as a [winger](/source/Midfielder) or [forward](/source/Forward_(association_football)).

Cowan began his career with [Shamrock Rovers](/source/Shamrock_Rovers_F.C.), playing for the club's [reserve team](/source/Shamrock_Rovers_F.C._B) before making several [substitute](/source/Substitute_(association_football)) appearances for the first team over two seasons. He joined [Longford Town](/source/Longford_Town_F.C.) on [loan](/source/Loan_(sports)) to gain first-team experience, a move that was made permanent ahead of the [2011 season](/source/2011_League_of_Ireland). After establishing himself as a regular at Longford, Cowan signed for [League One](/source/EFL_League_One) club [Stevenage](/source/Stevenage_F.C.) for an undisclosed fee in August 2011. He later joined [Braintree Town](/source/Braintree_Town_F.C.) on loan in November 2012, though the spell was curtailed by injury, and he left Stevenage by mutual consent in January 2013.

He subsequently had brief stints with [Scottish Premier League](/source/Scottish_Premier_League) club [Dundee](/source/Dundee_F.C.) and [Southend United](/source/Southend_United_F.C.) of [League Two](/source/EFL_League_Two) in 2013, as well as a one-month return to Stevenage later that year. Cowan rejoined Longford in January 2014 and helped the club gain [promotion](/source/Promotion_and_relegation) to the [League of Ireland Premier Division](/source/League_of_Ireland_Premier_Division) during the [2014 season](/source/2014_League_of_Ireland_First_Division). He remained with Longford for four seasons, scoring four goals in 78 appearances, before retiring from professional football in 2017.

==Early life==
Cowan was born in [New York City](/source/New_York_City).<ref name="Under Pressure – Don Cowan">{{cite news
| title = Under Pressure – Don Cowan
| url = http://www.stevenagefc.com/page/LatestNewsDetail/0,,10839~2546364,00.html
| publisher = Stevenage F.C.
| date = 13 December 2011
| access-date = 14 December 2011}}</ref> During his youth, he cited [Andy Cole](/source/Andy_Cole) as his footballing idol.<ref name="Under Pressure – Don Cowan"/>

==Career==
===Early career===
Cowan began his career with [Shamrock&nbsp;Rovers&nbsp;A](/source/Shamrock_Rovers_F.C._B), playing in the [2009 A Championship](/source/2009_A_Championship).<ref name="Stevenage announce signing of new striker">{{cite news
 |title       = Stevenage announce signing of new striker
 |url         = http://www.stevenagefc.com/page/LatestNewsDetail/0,,10839~2438101,00.html
 |publisher   = Stevenage F.C.
 |date        = 31 August 2011
 |access-date  = 1 September 2011
 |url-status     = dead
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20120612031009/http://www.stevenagefc.com/page/LatestNewsDetail/0%2C%2C10839~2438101%2C00.html
 |archive-date = 12 June 2012
}}</ref><ref name="Don Cowan – Longford Town">{{cite news
| title = Don Cowan – Longford Town
| url = http://www.extratime.ie/squads/players/15/1239959/
| website = extratime.ie
| publisher = Extra Time
| access-date = 1 September 2011
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110810194917/http://www.extratime.ie/squads/players/15/1239959/
| archive-date = 10 August 2011
| url-status = dead
}}</ref> He progressed to the first team and made his senior debut as an 87th-minute [substitute](/source/Substitute_(association_football)) in a 2–1 victory over [St Patrick's Athletic](/source/St_Patrick's_Athletic_F.C.) in the [League of Ireland Premier Division](/source/League_of_Ireland_Premier_Division) on 4 July 2009.<ref name="St Patrick's Athletic 1–2 Shamrock Rovers">{{cite news
| title = St Patrick's Athletic 1–2 Shamrock Rovers
| url = http://www.loi.ie/index.php/matchzone/premier-division/match-reports/2009-match-reports/136-series-23/1025-drogheda-united-0-1-shamrock-rovers
| archive-url = https://archive.today/20130217212053/http://www.loi.ie/index.php/matchzone/premier-division/match-reports/2009-match-reports/136-series-23/1025-drogheda-united-0-1-shamrock-rovers
| url-status = dead
| archive-date = 17 February 2013
| website = RTÉ Sport
| date = 24 July 2009
| access-date = 1 September 2011
}}</ref><ref name="St Patrick's Athletic vs Shamrock Rovers">{{cite news
| title = St Patrick's Athletic vs Shamrock Rovers
| url = https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2009/07/04/ireland-republic/premier-league/st-patricks-athletic-fc/shamrock-rovers-football-club/753353/
| website = Soccerway
| date = 4 July 2009
| access-date = 1 September 2011}}</ref> He made four further substitute appearances during the [2009 season](/source/2009_League_of_Ireland).<ref name="Bray Wanderers 1–2 Shamrock Rovers">{{cite news
| title = Bray Wanderers 1–2 Shamrock Rovers
| url = https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2009/07/10/ireland-republic/premier-league/bray-wanderers-fc/shamrock-rovers-football-club/753358/
| website = Soccerway
| date = 10 July 2009
| access-date = 1 September 2011}}</ref><ref name="Drogheda United 0–1 Shamrock Rovers">{{cite news
| title = Drogheda United 0–1 Shamrock Rovers
| url = http://www.loi.ie/index.php/matchzone/premier-division/match-reports/2009-match-reports/136-series-23/1025-drogheda-united-0-1-shamrock-rovers
| archive-url = https://archive.today/20130217212053/http://www.loi.ie/index.php/matchzone/premier-division/match-reports/2009-match-reports/136-series-23/1025-drogheda-united-0-1-shamrock-rovers
| url-status = dead
| archive-date = 17 February 2013
| publisher = Airtricity League
| date = 7 August 2009
| access-date = 1 September 2011
}}</ref><ref name="Shamrock Rovers 2–2 Dundalk">{{cite news
| title = Shamrock Rovers 2–2 Dundalk
| url = https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2009/08/22/ireland-republic/premier-league/shamrock-rovers-football-club/dundalk-football-club/753381/
| website = Soccerway
| date = 22 August 2009
| access-date = 1 September 2011}}</ref><ref name="Derry City 0–1 Shamrock Rovers">{{cite news
| title = Derry City 0–1 Shamrock Rovers
| url = https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2009/10/09/ireland-republic/premier-league/derry-city-football-club/shamrock-rovers-football-club/753418/
| website = Soccerway
| date = 9 October 2009
| access-date = 1 September 2011}}</ref>

===Longford Town===
He made three substitute appearances for Shamrock Rovers during the early stages of the [2010 season](/source/2010_League_of_Ireland),<ref name="Galway United 0–1 Shamrock Rovers">{{cite news
| title = Galway United 0–1 Shamrock Rovers
| url = https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2010/03/26/ireland-republic/premier-league/galway-united-football-club/shamrock-rovers-football-club/913232/
| website = Soccerway
| date = 26 March 2010
| access-date = 1 September 2011}}</ref><ref name="Shamrock Rovers 0–0 UCD">{{cite news
| title = Shamrock Rovers 0–0 UCD
| url = https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2010/04/02/ireland-republic/premier-league/shamrock-rovers-football-club/university-college-dublin-football-club/913239/
| website = Soccerway
| date = 2 April 2010
| access-date = 1 September 2011}}</ref> before joining [First Division](/source/League_of_Ireland_First_Division) club [Longford Town](/source/Longford_Town_F.C.) on 19 July 2010 to gain first-team experience.<ref name="Don Cowan – Profile"/><ref name="Club News">{{cite news
| title = Club News
| url = http://www.ltfc.ie/news/article/?id=7425efc2-af02-4337-9f9a-b0e92c6fe444
| publisher = Longford Town F.C.
| date = 19 July 2010
| access-date = 1 September 2011
| archive-date = 30 September 2011
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110930165841/http://www.ltfc.ie/news/article/?id=7425efc2-af02-4337-9f9a-b0e92c6fe444
| url-status = dead
}}</ref> He made his debut in a 1–1 home draw with [Cork City](/source/Cork_City_F.C.) on 3 July 2010, his first senior start.<ref name="Longford Town 1–1 Cork City">{{cite news
| title = Longford Town 1–1 Cork City
| url = https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2010/07/03/ireland-republic/division-1/longford-town-football-club/cork-city-football-club/913495/
| website = Soccerway
| date = 3 July 2010
| access-date = 1 September 2011}}</ref> Cowan made 13 appearances for Longford during the season, eight of which were starts, without scoring.<ref name="Don Cowan – Profile"/>

Ahead of the [2011 season](/source/2011_League_of_Ireland), Cowan signed for Longford on a permanent basis.<ref name="Don Cowan – Longford Town"/> He scored his first goal in the opening match of the season, a 2–1 defeat to [Shelbourne](/source/Shelbourne_F.C.) on 5 March 2011.<ref name="Longford Town 1–2 Shelbourne">{{cite news
| title = Longford Town 1–2 Shelbourne
| url = https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2011/03/05/ireland-republic/division-1/longford-town-football-club/shelbourne-fc/1089789/
| website = Soccerway
| date = 5 March 2011
| access-date = 1 September 2011}}</ref><ref name="Match Report – Longford Town 1–2 Shelbourne">{{cite news
| title = Match Report – Longford Town 1–2 Shelbourne
| url = http://inform.fai.ie/Statsportal/Fixtures.aspx?fixtureID=7632&matchID=9438
| publisher = Airtricity League
| date = 5 March 2011
| access-date = 1 September 2011
}}{{Dead link|date=January 2026 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref> He added further goals in home victories against [Waterford United](/source/Waterford_United_F.C.) and [Salthill Devon](/source/Salthill_Devon_F.C.) in April, taking his tally to four for the season.<ref name="Match Report – Longford Town 1–0 Waterford United">{{cite news
| title = Match Report – Longford Town 1–0 Waterford United
| url = http://inform.fai.ie/Statsportal/Fixtures.aspx?fixtureID=7663&matchID=9469
| publisher = Airtricity League
| date = 16 April 2011
| access-date = 1 September 2011
}}{{Dead link|date=January 2026 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref><ref name="Match Report – Longford Town 2–0 Salthill Devon">{{cite news
| title = Match Report – Longford Town 2–0 Salthill Devon
| url = http://inform.fai.ie/Statsportal/Fixtures.aspx?fixtureID=7673&matchID=9479
| publisher = Airtricity League
| date = 30 March 2011
| access-date = 1 September 2011
}}{{Dead link|date=January 2026 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref> In July 2011, Cowan underwent a trial with English [Championship](/source/EFL_Championship) club [Millwall](/source/Millwall_F.C.), after impressing their management team in a friendly between the two clubs.<ref name="Longford Town 0 Millwall 1">{{cite news
 |title       = Longford Town 0 Millwall 1
 |url         = http://www.millwallfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10367~2392153,00.html
 |publisher   = Millwall F.C.
 |date        = 14 July 2011
 |access-date  = 1 September 2011
 |url-status     = dead
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20110914165802/http://www.millwallfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10367~2392153%2C00.html
 |archive-date = 14 September 2011
}}</ref> He featured for Millwall's reserves in a match against [Brighton & Hove Albion](/source/Brighton_%26_Hove_Albion_F.C.) reserves, although no transfer followed.<ref name="Longford's Cowan signs for Stevenage">{{cite news
| title = Longford's Cowan signs for Stevenage
| url = http://www.extratime.ie/newsdesk/articles/6563/
| website = extratime.ie
| publisher = Extra Time
| date = 31 August 2011
| access-date = 1 September 2011
| first = Deniese 
| last = O'Flaherty
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120904063822/http://www.extratime.ie/newsdesk/articles/6563/
| archive-date = 4 September 2012
| url-status = dead
}}</ref><ref name="Boro still wait on Cowan">{{cite news
| title = Boro still wait on Cowan
| url = http://www.thecomet.net/stevenage-fc/boro_still_wait_on_cowan_1_1011161
| newspaper = The Comet
| publisher = Archant Community Media Ltd
| date = 1 September 2011
| access-date = 2 September 2011}}</ref> Cowan returned to Longford and scored his final goal for the club in a home defeat to Shelbourne on 13 August 2011, having scored his first against the same opposition five months earlier.<ref name="Longford 1–3 Shelbourne">{{cite news
| title = Longford 1–3 Shelbourne
| url = https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2011/08/13/ireland-republic/division-1/longford-town-football-club/shelbourne-fc/1089899/
| website = Soccerway
| date = 13 August 2011
| access-date = 1 September 2011}}</ref><ref name="Match Report – Longford Town 1–3 Shelbourne">{{cite news
| title = Match Report – Longford Town 1–3 Shelbourne
| url = http://inform.fai.ie/Statsportal/Fixtures.aspx?fixtureID=7742&matchID=9548
| publisher = Airtricity League
| date = 13 August 2011
| access-date = 1 September 2011}}</ref> He made 33 appearances in all competitions during the season, scoring eight goals.<ref name="Player Statistics – Don Cowan">{{cite news
| title = Player Statistics – Don Cowan
| url = http://inform.fai.ie/Statsportal/PlayerDetails.aspx?playerID=99138
| publisher = Airtricity League
| access-date = 1 September 2011
| archive-date = 20 November 2019
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191120084427/http://inform.fai.ie/Statsportal/PlayerDetails.aspx?playerID=99138
| url-status = dead
}}</ref>

===Stevenage===
Following a trial, Cowan signed for [League One](/source/EFL_League_One) club [Stevenage](/source/Stevenage_F.C.) on 31 August 2011 for an undisclosed five-figure fee.<ref name="Stevenage announce signing of new striker"/> His debut was delayed due to international clearance issues,<ref name="Graham Westley waiting on Don Cowan clearance">{{cite news
| title = Graham Westley waiting on Don Cowan clearance
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/14763172.stm
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110904025113/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/14763172.stm
| url-status = dead
| archive-date = 4 September 2011
| website = BBC Sport
| date = 2 September 2011
| access-date = 11 September 2011}}</ref> with the transfer formally completed on 13 September 2011 after clearance was granted.<ref name="Stevenage complete signing of Don Cowan">{{cite news
| title = Stevenage complete signing of Don Cowan
| url = http://www.stevenagefc.com/page/LatestNewsDetail/0,,10839~2449275,00.html
| publisher = Stevenage F.C.
| date = 14 September 2011
| access-date = 14 September 2011}}</ref> A series of minor injuries limited his involvement during the first two months of his spell with the club,<ref name="Paul Dando – Physio">{{Cite book
 | title = Stevenage v Yeovil Town matchday programme
 | publisher = Stevenage F.C.
 | year = 2011
 | page = 29 }}</ref> and he made his first-team debut as a 77th-minute substitute in a 2–1 home victory against [Tranmere Rovers](/source/Tranmere_Rovers_F.C.) on 17 December 2011.<ref name="Stevenage 2–1 Tranmere Rovers">{{cite news
 |title        = Stevenage 2–1 Tranmere Rovers
 |url          = http://www.stevenagefc.com/page/MatchReport/0,,10839~58302,00.html
 |publisher    = Stevenage F.C.
 |date         = 17 December 2011
 |access-date  = 17 December 2011
 |archive-date = 9 April 2025
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20250409210903/https://www.stevenagefc.com/page/MatchReport/0,,10839~58302,00.html
 |url-status   = dead
}}</ref><ref name="Stevenage 2–1 Tranmere">{{cite news
| title = Stevenage 2–1 Tranmere
| url = https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_2/16124121.stm
| website = BBC Sport
| date = 17 December 2011
| access-date = 17 December 2011}}</ref> He made his first start nine days later in a 6–1 away victory at [Colchester United](/source/Colchester_United_F.C.) on 26 December 2011.<ref name="Colchester 1–6 Stevenage">{{cite news
| title = Colchester 1–6 Stevenage
| url = https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/16240753.stm
| website = BBC Sport
| date = 26 December 2011
| access-date = 26 December 2011}}</ref> Cowan scored four first-half goals in a 5–0 [Herts Senior Cup](/source/Herts_Senior_Cup) victory over [Barnet](/source/Barnet_F.C.) on 31 January 2012.<ref name="Stevenage progress to the semi-finals">{{cite news
| title = Stevenage progress to the semi-finals
| url = http://www.stevenagefc.com/page/LatestNewsDetail/0,,10839~2595656,00.html
| publisher = Stevenage F.C.
| date = 31 January 2012
| access-date = 2 February 2012}}</ref> In the following round against [Bishop's Stortford](/source/Bishop's_Stortford_F.C.),<ref name="Boro knocked out of Herts Senior Cup">{{cite news
| title = Boro knocked out of Herts Senior Cup
| url = http://www.stevenagefc.com/page/LatestNewsDetail/0,,10839~2688205,00.html
| publisher = Stevenage F.C.
| date = 22 March 2012
| access-date = 30 March 2012}}</ref> he sustained a [transverse fracture](/source/Bone_fracture) at the base of his tibia after a "rather innocuous tackle",<ref name="Paul Dando – Physio's Room">{{Cite book
 | title = Stevenage FC v AFC Bournemouth matchday programme
 | publisher = Stevenage F.C.
 | year = 2012
 | page = 23 }}</ref> ruling him out for six months and sidelining him for the remainder of the [2011–12 season](/source/2011%E2%80%9312_Stevenage_F.C._season) as well as the start of the [following season](/source/2012%E2%80%9313_Stevenage_F.C._season).<ref name="Paul Dando – Physio's Room"/><ref name="Cowan out for six months">{{cite news
| title = Cowan out for six months
| url = http://www.stevenagefc.com/page/LatestNewsDetail/0,,10839~2692534,00.html
| publisher = Stevenage F.C.
| date = 25 March 2012
| access-date = 30 March 2012
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120329054138/http://www.stevenagefc.com/page/LatestNewsDetail/0,,10839~2692534,00.html
| archive-date = 2012-03-29}}</ref>

Having not made any first-team appearances following his recovery from injury, Cowan joined [Conference Premier](/source/National_League_(division)) club [Braintree Town](/source/Braintree_Town_F.C.) on a one-month [loan](/source/Loan_(sports)) on 22 November 2012.<ref name="Iro and Cowan out on loan">{{cite news
| title = Iro and Cowan out on loan
| url = https://www.stevenagefc.com/news/article/transfer-iro-and-cowan-out-on-loan-503483.aspx
| publisher = Stevenage F.C.
| date = 22 November 2012
| access-date = 22 November 2012
| first = Mitchell
| last = Jones
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141108015306/https://www.stevenagefc.com/news/article/transfer-iro-and-cowan-out-on-loan-503483.aspx
| archive-date = 2014-11-08}}</ref> He sustained an injury eight minutes into his debut in an away match against [Southport](/source/Southport_F.C.) on 8 December 2012,<ref name="Southport 0–2 Braintree">{{cite news
| title = Southport 0–2 Braintree
| url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/20564982
| website = BBC Sport
| date = 8 December 2012
| access-date = 11 January 2013}}</ref> resulting in his early return to Stevenage.<ref name="Movements within first-team squad">{{cite news
| title = Movements within first-team squad
| url = http://www.stevenagefc.com/news/article/transfer-news-iro-comminges-cowan-591930.aspx
| publisher = Stevenage F.C.
| date = 11 January 2013
| access-date = 11 January 2013}}</ref> In January 2013, Cowan left the club by mutual consent, having made nine appearances in all competitions during an injury-affected spell.<ref name="Movements within first-team squad"/>

===Dundee and Southend United ===
Cowan signed for [Scottish Premier League](/source/Scottish_Premier_League) club [Dundee](/source/Dundee_F.C.) on a free transfer on 19 February 2013.<ref name="free transfer">{{Cite web|url=https://www.thecourier.co.uk/sport/football/dundee-fc/86509/dundee-cheered-by-the-return-of-davide-grassi/|title = Dundee cheered by the return of Davide Grassi|work=The Courier |publisher=DC Thomson Co Ltd |date = 19 February 2013 |accessdate=8 October 2025 |first=Craig |last=Smith}}</ref> He made his debut on 17 March 2013, as an 80th-minute substitute in a 1–1 away draw with rivals [Dundee United](/source/Dundee_United_F.C.).<ref name="Dundee Utd 1–1 Dundee">{{cite news
| title = Dundee Utd 1–1 Dundee
| url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/21732273
| website = BBC Sport
| date = 17 March 2013
| access-date = 22 March 2013
| first = Andy
| last = Campbell}}</ref> Following limited opportunities under new manager [John Brown](/source/John_Brown_(footballer%2C_born_1962)), he was released at the end of the season after Dundee's [relegation](/source/Promotion_and_relegation), having made two substitute appearances.<ref>{{cite news|title=Dundee sign Peter MacDonald and Willie Dyer|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/22790513|website=BBC Sport|date=5 June 2013|access-date=8 August 2013}}</ref><ref name="SB13">{{Soccerbase season|62863|2013|name=Don Cowan|accessdate=8 October 2025}}</ref>

He returned to England to sign for [League Two](/source/EFL_League_Two) club [Southend United](/source/Southend_United_F.C.) on a one-month contract on 5 August 2013.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/23582510|title=Southend United: Don Cowan signs one-month contract|website=BBC Sport|date=5 August 2013|access-date=6 August 2013}}</ref> Cowan made his debut in a 1–0 [League Cup](/source/EFL_Cup) defeat to [Yeovil Town](/source/Yeovil_Town_F.C.) on 6 August 2013, starting and playing 71 minutes.<ref name="Southend 0–1 Yeovil">{{cite news
| title = Southend 0–1 Yeovil
| url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/23499377
| website = BBC Sport
| date = 6 August 2013
| access-date = 19 October 2013}}</ref> He made two further appearances before leaving the club upon the expiry of his contract on 2 September 2013.<ref>{{cite news|title=Cowan leaves Shrimpers|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11065/8903239/cowan-leaves-shrimpers|website=Sky Sports|publisher=Sky UK|date=2 September 2013|access-date=1 August 2014}}</ref><ref name="Don Cowan – 2013–14">{{cite news
| title = Don Cowan – 2013–14
| url = http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=62863
| website = Soccerbase
| publisher = Centurycomm
| access-date = 19 October 2013}}</ref>

===Return to Stevenage===
Without a club for a month, Cowan returned to League One club Stevenage on 27 September 2013, signing a one-month contract.<ref name="Stevenage re-sign striker Don Cowan on one-month contract">{{cite news
| title = Stevenage re-sign striker Don Cowan on one-month contract
| url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/24316933
| website = BBC Sport
| date = 28 September 2013
| access-date = 28 September 2013}}</ref> A day later, he played as a second-half substitute in Stevenage's 4–1 away defeat to [Milton Keynes Dons](/source/Milton_Keynes_Dons_F.C.).<ref name="MK Dons 4–1 Stevenage">{{cite news
| title = MK Dons 4–1 Stevenage
| url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/24184935
| website = BBC Sport
| date = 28 September 2013
| access-date = 28 September 2013}}</ref> After two appearances during his brief return, Cowan left the club after his one-month contract concluded on 21 October 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thecomet.net/stevenage-fc/cowan_leaves_stevenage_1_2909820 |title=Cowan leaves Stevenage |newspaper=The Comet | publisher = Archant Community Media Ltd |access-date=1 August 2014 |date=21 October 2013 |first=Damion |last=Roberts |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140801213123/http://www.thecomet.net/stevenage-fc/cowan_leaves_stevenage_1_2909820 |archive-date=1 August 2014 |url-status=unfit }}</ref>

===Return to Longford Town===
Cowan rejoined Longford Town on 10 January 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ltfc.ie/index.php/return-of-the-don/ |title=Return of the Don |publisher=Longford Town F.C. |access-date=1 August 2014 |date=10 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140801214712/http://ltfc.ie/index.php/return-of-the-don/ |archive-date=1 August 2014 |url-status=unfit }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://ltfc.ie/index.php/don-cowan-im-faster-and-stronger-than-i-ever-was/ |title=Don Cowan: "I'm faster and stronger than I ever was." |publisher=Longford Town F.C. |access-date=1 August 2014 |date=18 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140801215709/http://ltfc.ie/index.php/don-cowan-im-faster-and-stronger-than-i-ever-was/ |archive-date=1 August 2014 |url-status=unfit }}</ref> He made his first appearance in the opening game of the [2014 season](/source/2014_League_of_Ireland_First_Division), a 1–0 victory against [Galway](/source/Galway_F.C.) on 7 March 2014,<ref name="Don Cowan – Profile"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://ltfc.ie/index.php/squad-numbers-for-new-season/ |title=Squad numbers for new season |publisher=Longford Town F.C. |access-date=1 August 2014 |date=21 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140801224904/http://ltfc.ie/index.php/squad-numbers-for-new-season/ |archive-date=1 August 2014 |url-status=unfit }}</ref> and scored his first goal of the season in a 6–0 victory against [Shamrock Rovers B](/source/Shamrock_Rovers_F.C._II) on 30 May 2014.<ref name="Don Cowan – Profile"/> He scored three goals in 24 appearances as Longford won the League of Ireland First Division title.<ref name="Don Cowan – Profile"/>

In Longford's first season back in the Premier Division in [2015](/source/2015_League_of_Ireland_Premier_Division),<ref name="Don Cowan – Profile"/> Cowan made 10 appearances, scoring once in a 2–1 victory away at [Galway United](/source/Galway_United_F.C.) on 27 March 2015.<ref name="Don Cowan – Profile"/> He featured 21 times during the [2016 season](/source/2016_League_of_Ireland_Premier_Division), which ended in relegation to the First Division,<ref name="Don Cowan – Profile"/> and played 23 matches in [2017](/source/2017_League_of_Ireland_First_Division),<ref name="Don Cowan – Profile"/> before retiring from football in October 2017.<ref name="Don Cowan – Profile"/><ref name="Don Cowan – Forward">{{cite news
| title = Don Cowan – Forward
| url = https://www.extratime.com/player/1239959/don_cowan/
| website = extratime.ie
| publisher = Extra Time
| access-date = 15 July 2021}}</ref>

==Career statistics==

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
|-
!rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season
!colspan="3"|League
!colspan="2"|National cup{{efn|Includes [FA Cup](/source/FA_Cup), [FAI Cup](/source/FAI_Cup)}}
!colspan="2"|League Cup{{efn|Includes [Football League Cup](/source/EFL_Cup)}}
!colspan="2"|Other
!colspan="2"|Total
|-
!Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals
|-
|rowspan="3" valign="center"|[Shamrock Rovers](/source/Shamrock_Rovers_F.C.)
|{{center|[2009](/source/2009_League_of_Ireland)<ref name="Matches played by Don Cowan">{{cite web
| title = Matches played by Don Cowan
| url = https://uk.soccerway.com/players/don-cowen/83978/
| website = Soccerway
| access-date = 1 September 2011}}</ref>}}
|[LOI Premier Division](/source/League_of_Ireland_Premier_Division)
|5||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||5||0
|-
|{{center|[2010](/source/2010_League_of_Ireland)<ref name="Player Statistics – Don Cowan"/><ref name="Matches played by Don Cowan"/>}}
|LOI Premier Division
|3||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||3||0
|-
!colspan=2|Total
!8!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!8!!0
|-
|rowspan="3" valign="center"|[Longford Town](/source/Longford_Town_F.C.)
|{{center|[2010](/source/2010_League_of_Ireland)<ref name="Player Statistics – Don Cowan"/><ref name="Matches played by Don Cowan"/>}}
|[LOI First Division](/source/League_of_Ireland_First_Division)
|13||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||13||0
|-
|{{center|[2011](/source/2011_League_of_Ireland)<ref name="Player Statistics – Don Cowan"/><ref name="Matches played by Don Cowan"/>}}
|LOI First Division
|19||8||1||0||0||0||0||0||20||8
|-
!colspan=2|Total
!32!!8!!1!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!33!!8
|-
|rowspan="3" valign="center"|[Stevenage](/source/Stevenage_F.C.)
|[2011–12](/source/2011%E2%80%9312_Stevenage_F.C._season)<ref name="SB11">{{Soccerbase season|62863|2011|name=Don Cowan|accessdate=8 October 2025}}</ref>
|[League One](/source/EFL_League_One)
|8||0||1||0||colspan="2" |—||0||0||9||0
|-
|[2012–13](/source/2012%E2%80%9313_Stevenage_F.C._season)<ref name="SB12">{{Soccerbase season|62863|2012|name=Don Cowan|accessdate=8 October 2025}}</ref>
|League One
|0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0
|-
!colspan=2|Total
!8!!0!!1!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!9!!0
|-
|rowspan="1" valign="center"|[Braintree Town](/source/Braintree_Town_F.C.) (loan)
|[2012–13](/source/2012%E2%80%9313_in_English_football)<ref name="SB12"/>
|[Conference Premier](/source/National_League_(division))
|1||0||0||0||colspan="2" |—||0||0||1||0
|-
|rowspan="1" valign="center"|[Dundee](/source/Dundee_F.C.)
|[2012–13](/source/2012%E2%80%9313_in_Scottish_football)<ref name="SB12"/>
|[Scottish Premier League](/source/Scottish_Premier_League)
|2||0||colspan="2" |—||colspan="2" |—||0||0||2||0
|-
|rowspan="1" valign="center"|[Southend United](/source/Southend_United_F.C.)
|[2013–14](/source/2013%E2%80%9314_Southend_United_F.C._season)<ref name="SB13"/>
|[League Two](/source/EFL_League_Two)
|2||0||0||0||1||0||0||0||3||0
|-
|rowspan="1" valign="center"|Stevenage
|[2013–14](/source/2013%E2%80%9314_Stevenage_F.C._season)<ref name="SB13"/>
|League One
|1||0||0||0||colspan="2" |—||1{{efn|name=FLT|Appearance in [Football League Trophy](/source/Football_League_Trophy)}}||0||2||0
|-
|rowspan="5" valign="center"|Longford Town
|{{center|[2014](/source/2014_League_of_Ireland)<ref name="Matches played by Don Cowan"/>}}
|LOI First Division
|22||3||0||0||0||0||2||0||24||3
|-
|{{center|[2015](/source/2015_League_of_Ireland)<ref name="Matches played by Don Cowan"/>}}
|LOI Premier Division
|10||1||0||0||0||0||0||0||10||1
|-
|{{center|[2016](/source/2016_League_of_Ireland)<ref name="Matches played by Don Cowan"/>}}
|LOI Premier Division
|21||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||21||0
|-
|{{center|[2017](/source/2017_League_of_Ireland_First_Division)<ref name="Matches played by Don Cowan"/>}}
|LOI First Division
|20||0||1||0||0||0||2||0||23||0
|-
!colspan=2|Total
!73!!4!!1!!0!!0!!0!!4!!0!!78!!4
|-
!colspan=3|Career total
!127!!12!!3!!0!!1!!0!!5!!0!!136!!12
|}

{{notelist}}

==Honours==
'''Longford Town'''
*[League of Ireland First Division](/source/League_of_Ireland_First_Division): [2014](/source/2014_League_of_Ireland_First_Division)<ref name="Don Cowan – Profile"/>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*{{Soccerbase}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Cowan, Don}}
Category:1989 births
Category:Living people
Category:American expatriates in Ireland
Category:Soccer players from New York City
Category:Republic of Ireland men's association footballers
Category:Men's association football forwards
Category:Shamrock Rovers F.C. players
Category:Longford Town F.C. players
Category:Stevenage F.C. players
Category:Braintree Town F.C. players
Category:Dundee F.C. players
Category:Southend United F.C. players
Category:English Football League players
Category:National League (English football) players
Category:League of Ireland players
Category:Scottish Premier League players
Category:A Championship players
Category:21st-century Irish sportsmen

---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Don Cowan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don_Cowan) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don_Cowan?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.