Keith FC mourn double cup winning Captain

Malcolm Cowie, front row, second from the right.

Keith FC are this week mourning the loss of their Highland League Cup and Aberdeenshire Cup winning captain from 1973-74, Malcolm Cowie who died recently in New Zealand where he had lived for a number of years. He was 70 years of age and apparently passed away following a heart attack.

The Buckie born defender joined the Maroons from the coast side during the summer of 1973, along with Mike Winton, Dod Simmers and Spencer Lyon, at the age of 23. He had played for Buckie Thistle as a 16 year old before joining Southampton for a short spell. He won an Aberdeenshire Cup winners medal with Peterhead, then a League Cup and Qualifying Cup winners medal with Peterhead, before taking a peg at Kynoch Park.

He played a major part in a new look Keith side under George Christie, that took the Highland League by storm. They won the League Cup by defeating Ross County 3-2 in a mouthwatering Final at Borough Briggs, that saw Charlie Elvin emerge as star man, but full back Cowie led his side by great example.

Later that season the Maroons won the Aberdeenshire Cup without conceding a goal, culminating in a fine 3-0 against Buckie at Victoria Park. During the course of the season, Malcolm, who at the time was a PE teacher at Keith Grammar School, was joined by elder brother Willie, who had been a player-coach for the Jags. He also led the Maroons to a Bells Cup Final which unfortunately they lost 2-0 to Fraserburgh.

Although he only made 35 appearances he more than made his mark by leading the cup double and commanded respect from team-mates and opponents in his own inimitable way.  

Malcolm returned to Buckie Thistle at the end of that triumphant season, and went on to serve other Highland League Clubs as a player and manager with distinction. He emigrated to New Zealand many years ago and ended up as NZSS Boy’s Football’s inaugural Life Member. This award was in recognition of Malcolm’s exceptional contribution of over 30 years to the provision of the best opportunities in football for secondary school students.

That Highland League Cup winning side of 1973 will live long in the memories of Keith fans – Gray, Cowie, Maxwell, Dalgarno, Wilson, Rattray, Winton, Elvin, Simmers, Pirie, Curran (Rougvie).

He will be sorely missed by all who knew him and Keith FC’s thoughts are with Malcolm’s family at this very sad time.