29-09-26: Falkirk (a) 2-2 (HT 0-0) Crowd (4,000)

Profile:

Joseph (Joe) Gowdy was born in Belfast in December 1897. Starting as a Centre Forward, he joined played Junior Football before joining his local club Glentoran in 1919-20 where he stayed for two years and scored twenty-three goals in twenty-eight games in his debut season, which saw him capped for Ireland against England on 25th October 1919 and he also represented the Irish League. He had brought his goal tally to thirty in thirty five games before before moving to Scottish First Division side Falkirk in October 1920, after a proposed move to Everton had fallen through. He played his first games for the Bairns in the 1920-21 season, when he scored twice in nine games. Falkirk thought he was more talented in a defensive capacity and he moved to centre-half where he played as he led the team in 1921-22, making a further twenty-six League appearances before returning to Belfast and his former club Glentoran, making three appearances for them in the 1922-23 season, but soon joined Queens Island who, thought a new side in the Irish League, having joined the previous season, were assembling a good team. The move paid off for Gowdy and the club. In his two season stay he won another cap, against Wales on 14th March 1924 and represented the Irish League a further three times, while he and the club picked up Irish League Champion and Irish Cup Winner's medals and Trophies in the 1923/24 season. They also won the City Cup and Co. Antrim Shield as they swept all before them. After the club finished runners-up to his former club, Glentoran in the 1924-25 season, Gowdy then return to Scotland and his former club Falkirk. Now firmly entrenched in the half-back line, he won his final four caps in the next two seasons as he played against England on 24th October 1925, Scotland on 27th February 1926 and England, on 20th October 1926 and Scotland on 26th February 1927 the following season. In his second spell with Falkirk he scored once in twenty-six games in 1924-25, five goals in thirty games in 1925-26, twenty games without scoring in 1926-27 and a further two goals in twelve appearances in 1927-28. eight goalds in eighty-eight games in his second spell making ten goals in one hundred and fourteen games for the Bairns in total. He went on to finish his football career with Second Division East Fife, where he scored twice in twenty-seven games in the 1928-29 season, six in thirty-seven in 1929-30 and finished with one goal in ten games in the 1930-31 season for a total of nine goals in seventy-four games for the Fifers. He helped East Fife to promotion as runners-up in the Scottish Second Division in 1930 and they reach the top-flight for the first time in their history. There was no happy ending, however, as they were relegated at the end of their first season.

Match Report:

The benefit match for Joe Gowdy, the Falkirk Half-Back, was played between Falkirk and Leeds United, at Brockville Park, Falkirk, on 29th September 1926. Leeds were at full strength against an equally strong Falkirk side, who had finished eighth in the Scottish First Division in the previous season. The result was a hard fought draw with Paterson and Cox scoring for the home side while Harry Duggan and Bobby Turnbull replied for Leeds.(Thanks to Steve Bell for the game's status and Falkirk scorers.)

Match Report:(Courtesy Steve Bell)

30th September 1926: Dundee Courier

LEEDS DRAW WITH FALKIRK

Brockville's Efforts to Sign Gallagher

FALKIRK 2 LEEDS UNITED 2

Joe Gowdy's benefit was played at Brockville last night, when Leeds United provided the opposition to Falkirk. Before 4,000 spectators, play opened quietly, Falkirk gradually assuming the aggressive, and two powerful drives from Ritchie brought out the saving capabilities of Potts, the visiting 'keeper. Leeds were afterwards prominent and Ferguson saved brilliantly from Duggan and Jennings. The latter's drive was from short range and Ferguson made a masterly save. Thereafter, both goalkeepers were frequently in action, Potts being the busier, but the interval arrived with no scoring. In the second half play continued to favour Falkirk and Potts again distinguished himself by clearing a terric shot by Paterson. Leeds were rarely dangerous. Weak finishing by Cox later robbed Falkirk of success. Latterly Turnbull and Duggan netted good goals for Leeds and Paterson, after a good run reduced the leeway, and near the close equalising. It was learned last night that, as a result of yesterday's negotiations by the officials of Falkirk and the Celtic board with regard to the transfer of Pat Gallagher, the directors of the Falkirk club will consider the terms offered and announce their decision after a meeting tonight. Interviewed last night, one of the Falkirk directors said they were very hopeful that Gallagher would be playing for Falkirk on Saturday.