User:Roverslass/Michael Hugh McGowan

Michael Hugh McGowan

Michael H. McGowan is a professional footballer currently playing with Third Division part time club, Albion Rovers. Michael was born 28th September 1987 in Rottenrow Maternity Hospital.

Early Career

McGowan played boy’s club football until the age of 14 when he then went onto spend some time playing with both Livingston and Stenhousemuir. During his footballing career both at school and at boy’s club level Michael had often played in a Midfield role but it was at Livingston and Stenhousemuir where he often played as a Centre Half that he began his career in defence.

Hand picked talent

McGowan was then hand picked by former Scotland internationalist (and former Albion Rovers player) Brian Martin to join Junior side Stonehouse Violet at the age of 16. It is whilst playing here that Michael claims to have “learned [his] trade. Being a defender himself 'Big Buff' taught me a lot about the game and I enjoyed one and a half years under him there.”

After playing there McGowan moved onto playing with Dunipace for a year and a half before later joining Cambuslang where he was soon made captain, despite the fact he was still a teenager. It was whilst playing here and enjoying a good season that McGowan was asked to join Airdrie United for pre-season training under then manager, Kenny Black. McGowan featured in friendlies against Celtic, Bristol Rovers and Hamilton Academical however, he was not offered a deal although then Rovers' boss John McCormack got in touch to offer him senior football at Coatbridge.

Albion Rovers