Tribute paid to former Buckie Thistle legend Johnnie Cowie
FOND memories have been recalled of a former Buckie Thistle and Inverness Thistle legend who has died aged 81.
Johnnie Cowie is perhaps best remembered for his exploits in an Inverness Jags jersey and was regarded as one of the great Thistle strikers of all time and a prolific goal scorer in the late 60s and early 70s.
Known as Jake, he also played for Rothes, Lossiemouth, Deveronvale and Keith.
He passed away peacefully at Seafield Hospital, Buckie, following a short illness. A private funeral took place at Moray Crematorium.
A minute’s applause was held at Victoria Park prior to Buckie Thistle’s game with Deveronvale on Saturday, April 13.
Buckie Thistle secretary David Pirie, who played alongside Mr Cowie, described him as someone who was “dedicated to football”.
He continued: “Johnny was a quiet, unassuming man but a determined footballer who formed a terrific strike partnership with Ian Stephen at Inverness Thistle in the late 60s and early 70s where he went on to score over 200 goals picking up silverware in the process.
“His career almost came to an end in a game against Elgin City where he fractured his leg in two places. However, he fought back to fitness and went on represent various other teams in the Highland League, including Buckie Thistle and Deveronvale as well as Lossiemouth, Rothes and Keith.
“Many will remember Johnny as a technical teacher at Buckie High School for over 30 years and for playing football with him at Leisure Activities.
“Johnny was married to Irene for 57 years staying mainly in Barhill Road. Our thoughts are with Irene, close family and friends at this sad time.”
Among the other tributes to Mr Cowie was a post by Inverness Football Memories, a project which recalls Inverness football down the years and includes an online feature on the Am Baile community website managed by High Life Highland featuring photographs, film and stories.
On its Facebook page, it said Inverness Thistle fans who were saddened to hear of his death would remember Johnnie Cowie as a great player in a great team.
It stated: “Johnnie…was one half of an outstanding strike partnership at Kingsmills Park, Inverness, sharing the goal scoring glory with Ian ‘Chipper’ Stephen.
“Their goals were instrumental in Thistle winning back-to-back Highland League titles in 1971-72 and again in 1972-73.
“In these two seasons, the pair scored an incredible 179 league and cup goals, with Johnnie being top scorer in both seasons with 42 and 53 goals respectively.
“Under the management of former Elgin City striker, Willie Grant, Thistle played an exciting brand of attacking football which thrilled the crowds.”
In the 1969-70 season, the Jags set a post-war record for the most goals scored in a Highland League season with 124 goals, an average of 4.13 goals per game.
The post continued: “Cowie and Stephen, who had played for Caley and Forres Mechanics, had an uncanny understanding and are widely considered to be one of the best striking partnerships to grace the Highland League.”
Dave Milroy, who played with Johnnie when he broke into the Thistle side in 1972, recalled: “Johnnie and Chipper were an awesome partnership, who struck fear into opposing defenders.
“Both were quick and good in the air. They dovetailed brilliantly.”
