A former Chelsea apprentice under Dario Gradi, skilful midfielder Fran Cowley followed his mentor to Sutton United in November 1976, onto Derby County in August 1977 and to Plough Lane along with Alan Cork in February 1978. The manager played him in the final two games of the 1977-78 campaign at Newport County and Barnsley before he a few more starts in the promotion season that followed.

Frustrated at the lack of first team opportunities, he moved to Tooting and Mitcham United in March 1979 at the start of a long career in the non league game. He helped Dartford clinch the Southern League in 1984 and Bishop Stortford win the AC Delco cup in 1989 as well as turning out for Leytonstone and Ilford, Chelmsford City and Basildon United.

After playing, he worked as a messenger for General Accident at their offices in the City of London.

1976-1977 Sutton United ? (?)
1977-1978 Derby County 0 (0)
1978-1979 Wimbledon 8 (0)
1979-1983 Tooting & Mitcham United 165 (26)
1984-1986 Dartford 76 (4)
1986-1987 Chelmsford City 8 (2)
1987-1988 Redbridge Forest
Bishop Stortford
1990-1991 East Thurrock United
Leytonstone & Ilford
Basildon United

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_Cowley