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Some great names, sharing many great and special memories, and heart-warming stories from great connections to Huddersfield Town.

As Town threw away the memories of the previous weeks humiliating 1-7 defeat at Barnsley with a four nil victory over visitors Crystal Palace hat trick hero Marcus Stewart was hailed Man of the Match. Perhaps nothing unusual in that but PA Sport's reporter Richard Gibson takes the stage. "Stewart was challenged in the man of the match stakes by full back Tom Cowan".

So what? Town fans were used to such from our little Scot from Baillieston, but it was just a little more special than that, for Tom was returning to the Town team after 19 months out following cruciate damage to his right knee.

That display, when our number 3 could perhaps have been excused if he was a little tentative, a little more wary typifies why he was, and still is, so loved by all at Huddersfield Town. In him they saw one of their own that gave all for the team and the club.

His clenched fist salute to the fans is now of legendary status and when you hear Tommy speak of his time at Town it makes you proud to be a supporter of our great club.

"It was the best time I've had".

In his footballing career Tom made several stops along the way. An apprentice electrician at British Steel he joined Clyde where after a handful of displays dazzled the Nottingham Forest manager to such an extent that young Cowan found himself in the front room of a house in Derby being coveted by a certain Brian Clough.

Not many fail to accede to the Cloughie charm but this young man returned to Scotland to 'think it over' and whilst doing so Graeme Souness nipped in and whisked him off to Glasgow Rangers. A couple or so years later and a further journey south beckoned as the lure of Sheffield United brought him to Yorkshire. He still lives in the steel city and has appeared for the Blades in 'Masters' tournaments.

From the Premiership to old League 2 some three years later when £150,000 and the silky tongue of Manager Neil Warnock persuaded the Scot to make the journey up the M1 to Huddersfield. After 10 loan appearances Tom signed for the Terriers in July 1994 the third of a trio of oh so important signatures as first Darren Bullock joined in November '93, followed a month later by Rocket Ron.

The statistics of his 6 years with us show over 160 appearances scoring 10 goals, a Wembley Auto Glass Final appearance followed in season 94/95 with that Wembley play off victory over Bristol Rovers.

As Neil Warnock surprisingly moved on Brian Horton occupied the hot seat, not surprisingly Tom Cowan remained a vital cog of the new Gaffer's defensive armoury, appearing in over 40 games for Town in both 95-96 & 96-97 seasons. Indeed throughout these two entire campaigns he missed but 8 fixtures in all competitions.

With the Player of the Season award to his name, Tom missed the whole of "The Great Escape" season with the serious knee injury we spoke of earlier. Tom's replacement in the early games of the season was another from our production line of full backs in Irish starlet Robbie Ryan. This youngster had to move on to Millwall to achieve the success I always believed he would - though I had hoped in a Town shirt, but it was another Robbie who was to make the number 3 shirt his own.

Ask any Town fan about Tom Cowan and words such as battler, grafter, fighter, gives everything, totally committed will readily be used.

Tom now needed all of these characteristics and more as he fought to overcome his serious injury but one step he took would not have been seen by many. That to become an author as with Andrew Collymosse he wrote 'Life on the Edge'.

Keeping a daily diary showing his battle against injury and Town's season he had plenty of copy as one op led to another and on the field his team mates found times hard creating the unwanted record of not opening their seasons winning account until 1^st November. Unsurprisingly a change had occurred at the top as former captain and favourite Peter Jackson had taken over the managerial role some two weeks earlier.

That Town finished with 5 points to spare from the relegation zone was down in no small measure to 'Jacko' and his assistant Terry Yorath. The success of Town's former defender brought sadness for another as the Manager, during the 1998/1999 season decided the services of one Tommy Cowan were, like Steve Francis, surplus to requirements. Ironical that at the seasons end new Club owner Barry Rubery would decide similar about Peter, a further move by the club that did not go down well with many of the Town fans.

Tom Cowan was to play just 7 more times for his beloved Terriers, all but one at No 11. His very last appearance coming on March 2^nd in a 3-2 home victory against Bolton Wanderers. That he was wearing the number three shirt he had worn so proudly and for so long was due to the absence of another 'Legend' Rob Edwards who in missing the Trotters game appeared in 45 of our 46 league games and 9 from 9 in cup-ties.

Tommy Cowan though was far from finished as he moved on to 'play his best stuff' across the Pennines where the player profile for Tom in Claret Mad by Anthony Ashworth will record he acquired cult status among some of the Burnley fans as 'Super Tommy Cowan'.

Further spells followed at Cambridge, Peterborough, and York where another Town Legend Terry Dolan obtained his signature, before returning 12 years on, to his native land with Dundee. A move that pleased Tom immensely as he was determined to keep playing the game he loves. After several approaches it was thanks to Jim Duffy the Boss at Dens Park that gave him this opportunity which also enabled him to experience continental football for a second time in Scotland.

His travels continued as he moved again to England, to accept the Captains armband at Carlisle United. From Brunton Park the Whitehaven News read " former Carlisle United fans favourite" as Tom moved into non-league soccer with Barrow.

There were other spells in non-league soccer as he continued to play with the same drive and devotion as he had in those early days with Clyde. But time and injuries were taking their toll and when he was offered the chance to join the success story of the lower league climbers in Scotland Gretna FC Tom relished the opportunity. This gave him a chance to coach and build a new career, which one-day may lead back to Yorkshire.

In fullness of time it did but not to the home of the Terriers as Tom had hoped, but to Mansfield Road Fire station where a new career as a fire fighter has just commenced. From saving tackles to saving lives, the people of Sheffield can sleep safe in their beds knowing that Tom Cowan is looking after them.

That he will look after them as well as he has done the left back role at all of his clubs is in no doubt. That his travels took in Huddersfield Town all connected to our club will forever be grateful.

From thisisthebarmyarmy on behalf of all your many fans our thanks and gratitude to you and our very best wishes to you and your family for a safe and happy future.

Now over to Tommy's view of Huddersfield Town then and now ...

1 What is your impression of Huddersfield Town now?
It looks as if they are heading in the right direction with a young up and coming manager in Lee Clark at the helm, although it is always difficult to take a club with big ambitions from the board and the fans to the heights expected of them.

2 What did you think on joining Town?
I was a bit unsure to begin with as when Neil Warnock enquired about me to Dave Bassett at Sheffield United Town were sitting fourth from bottom in the old League 2. I was also slightly wary as I was leaving the Premiership, but when you can't get a game you need to move on.

After meeting with Neil and training with the lads I loved every minute and what happened with the remaining games and the season after, including 2 Wembley appearances, proved it was a good decision.

3 Any regrets later in leaving Town.
No regrets about joining but absolutely devastated to leave a place I loved so much. Peter Jackson told me he wanted to keep me and verbally offered me a new contract in January only to rescind that offer 2 weeks before transfer deadline day. I was gutted.

4 Memories of Town? Earliest-vivid-now
Earliest memory was getting thrown into the canal after training on my first day by my new team mates, although I did manage to drag Phil Starbuck in along with me.

Most vivid memory would have to be standing with everything crossed watching Darren Bullock take the last penalty at Brentford in the Play-off semi final.

My memories of Town now are of how successful the team were during my spell and also the togetherness the team had was something I had never experienced before and never again after.

5 Most memorable moment? Goal-save-tackle
Most memorable moment would have to be the Wembley play-off final although I can give you an answer for goal-save and tackle.

My most memorable goal for Town was away against West Brom, I scored from about 25 yards into the top corner past the keeper and soon to be new team mate at Burnley, Crieghton.

Most memorable save would be FA cup against QPR at Loftus Rd when Tony Norman went off injured with a hamstring pull and I volunteered to put the gloves on as we had no sub keeper. It was the second half and QPR had a corner which was delivered to the front post where another ex team mate of mine John Spencer volleyed the ball which I saved with my legs and followed up with another effort which I saved and luckily kept hold of the ball.

We drew 1-1 and after that day I realised what a difficult job being a keeper was as I couldn't even kick the ball over the half way line.

My most memorable tackle would be against York City away in the first 5 minutes. I tripped their striker Paul Barnes, who became a town player later in his career, and the referee who was in his first year in the league gave me a straight red card.

I was astonished and even more so when Neil Warnock fined me a week's wage because of it.

6 Longest lasting Town memory?
Being sent off at Norwich when the referee had lost the plot and fearing the back lash from an angry Brian Horton. I was preparing myself to apologise to the lads as they came in when Andy Payton walked in alone. He had been sent off along with a Norwich player and I think one other was sent off but can't remember who. I didn't get a telling off as the manager was angrier at the referee for losing the plot.

7 What do you think of the current state of soccer?
I think the Premiership is the place to be right now as the players will never need to work again. Take Jimmy Bullard as a prime example. I played with Jimmy at Peterborough for a spell and now he has gone to a struggling Premiership club, Hull City for 5 million when better placed clubs were interested. Now you tell me he didn't go just for the money.

There seems to be a lack of ambition when players are on ridiculously large wages, especially those who are out of the team. They would rather sit and take the money, where as years ago all players wanted to do was play first team football.

This has turned into a rant but I will finish by saying the large wage demands of players will end up crippling some lower league clubs.

8 Do you still follow the Town results or any other Club or Sports?
I always look for Towns results as I am friends with Boothy and Matty Glennon from my Carlisle days, also Rangers, Sheffield United and Carlisle

9 Your best match in a Town shirt and Why? and the Result?
It has to be the play-off final at Wembley versus Bristol Rovers

10 What do you think of the Town fans - then? & now?
I loved them then and I can't ever see that changing. I had a special relationship with the fans at Town. I think it was because they saw a player who wasn't the best on the ball but gave everything else he had.

11 What do you think the future holds for Town?
I hope a promotion then who knows they may well do a Hull City. You never know what can happen in football

12 What are you doing now?
I am a Firefighter at Mansfield Road Fire Station which is the busiest station in the City and I'm loving it

13 If you had one wish, what would it be?
When I retired from playing and took a coaching role at Gretna FC when they were climbing to the Scottish Premier League I wished that one day I would get the opportunity to come back to Town, one way or another, in a coaching capacity.

Obviously now that I have pursued another career this will never happen.

and finally, anything else you would like to say?
I don't think there is much more to say except a huge thank you to all the Town fans for taking me to their hearts and supporting me through the good and the bad times and also for buying my book which myself and Andrew Collymosse wrote. There may be a follow up in a year or so. Watch this space.