Rowan Alexander

Infobox Football biography
playername = Rowan Alexander


fullname = Rowan Samuel Alexander
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1961|01|28
cityofbirth = Ayr
countryofbirth = Scotland
dateofdeath =
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currentclub =
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manageryears = 1996-1999
2000-2007
managerclubs = Queen of the South
Gretna

Rowan Samuel Alexander (born 28 January 1961 in Ayr, Scotland) is a former footballer and ex-manager of Scottish Football League club Gretna.

Queen of the South

At Dumfries side Queen of the South, Rowan Alexander won promotion from the third to middle tier of Scottish football. This was in 1980-81 in the same side as Allan Ball and Ian McChesney. After his departure from Queens he returned to make guest appearances in:-

*The Allan Ball testimonial against Manchester City, (other guests for Queens included Davie Cooper, Danny McGrain and Gary Mackay)
*The game on 23rd April 1995 to mark Queens' 75th anniversary and the opening of the new stand (other guests included Ted McMinn, Davie Irons and Andy Thomson. The game was a 2-2 draw against Rangers

Alexander returned to manage Queens from 1996 to 2000

Other clubs as a player

Alexander's playing career also included spells at St. Mirren, Brentford, Greenock Morton.

Gretna

He was initially appointed as player manager of Gretna with the club playing in the lower English leagues. He remained in charge following their induction to the Scottish Football League.

Following Gretna's take over by multi-millionaire Brooks Mileson, Alexander steered the club to the Scottish Third Division title in 2005 with a record breaking 98 points. Success continued in the following season as the club clinched promotion to the Scottish First Division and earned a place in the UEFA Cup after reaching the Scottish Cup final, where they were eventually beaten 4-2 on penalties after the match had ended 1-1.

Following Gretna's success in 2005-06, Alexander signed a five year contract with the club and stated his intention to remain with Gretna for the rest of his career. He was replaced towards the end of the 2006-07 season by his assistant, Davie Irons. He turned up for Gretna's first game in the top division of Scottish football on 4 August, 2007, only to be refused entrycite news
title = Alexander refused Fir Park access
url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/g/gretna/6931195.stm
publisher = BBC Sport
date = 2007-08-04
accessdate = 2007-08-04] . On 6 November, 2007, it was officially announced that Alexander was sacked by Gretna [http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/06112007/58/spl-gretna-finally-sack-alexander.html SPL - Gretna finally sack Alexander - Yahoo! Eurosport UK ] ] .

Managerial Honours

Gretna 2000-2007

Scottish Football League Division Three - Champions; 2004-05

Scottish Football League Division Two - Champions; 2005-06

Scottish Cup - Runners Up; 2005-06

Scottish Football League Division One - Champions; 2006-07

References

External links