Alan Cousin, Scottish footballer, Died at 78

Alan Cousin was born on March 7, 1938, and died on September 20, 2016.

He was a Scottish footballer.

Alan played for Dundee, Hibernian and Falkirk.

He played rugby in the mornings and football in the afternoons, for Alloa Y.M.C.A.

Cousin was noticed within a year of helping out the Central Scottish side and played for Scotland Under 16s, where as a Centre Forward, he was in the side that beat England 8-1.

There Scouts from various clubs sought his skills, but it was Dundee manager Willie Thornton who succeeded in signing him.

He made his debut when first team regular George Merchant was injured and one month later, he scored his first goal for Dundee.

He took part in a match that was a 5-1 friendly victory against Manchester United, who had just become the English champions.

When he had establish a first-team place, Cousin attended St. Andrews University to study Greek and Latin for an Arts Degree, whilst combining this with his early professional footballing career.

Sometimes his training would involve running on the St. Andrews beach later made famous in the film Chariots Of Fire.

He was Dundee’s top goalscorer three years in a row from 1958 to 1960.

Alan Cousin played in attack for Dundee alongside Alan Gilzean in a team considered by Bob Crampsey to be the best produced in Scotland since the Second World War.

He won the Scottish League championship in 1962 and then reached the semi-final of the European Cup in the following season.

Alan played in every match of the championship-winning season.

He was dubbed the ‘King of the double shuffle’ because of his ability to repeatedly outwit opposing players, by stepping over the ball.

Alan Cousin was inducted into the Dundee F.C. Hall Of Fame in a tribute dinner in 2011, to salute his contribution to football at the club.

Alan Cousin passed away at 78 years old.