David Bowman

Last updated : 28 January 2024 By Barry Scott

David Bowman (born 10 March 1964 in Tunbridge Wells, England) 

Stats - 1986 – 1998

United Appearances 428, 12 gls

6 Scottish caps

Bowman moved to Dundee United in the summer of 1986 from Coventry City along with then teammate Jim McInally.

It was at United that Bowman had the longest, best-remembered and most successful spell of his playing career. He was part of the squad that played in the 1987 UEFA Cup Final, losing to IFK Göteborg. Dave was also part of the squad that played in four Scottish Cup finals in 1987, 1988, 1991 and 1994, the latter being when United recorded their first Scottish Cup victory, defeating Rangers 1-0.

During season 1995-96, Dave was awarded a testimonial and became captain of United, taking over following Christian Dailly's brief spell as captain.

A defensive midfielder, right full-back or right wing-back, Dave was a player who was underrated by many. United fans loved his passion and hard tackling (he was nicknamed Psycho at United), but this was not his only footballing attribute and his skills saw him play for Scotland, who selected him for their squad that played in the 1992 European Championships, the first occasion that Scotland had qualified for the finals of this championship.

Dave spent the latter part of his playing career at Raith Rovers, Hong Kong club Yee Hope and finally Forfar Athletic, where he achieved the dubious honour receiving 5 red cards in one match and taking the Scottish record of a seventeen game suspension - all imposed for swearing at the match officials.

As Forfar were a part-time club, Dave was able to join the coaching staff at Dundee United, where he continued to serve the club until he left following Craig Brewster's appointment as manager in 2006. After a brief spell as a radio pundit for the BBC's Sportsound programme, he returned to coaching when old friend John Robertson invited him to be his assistant at Livingston. Following his spell in Livingston, Bowman moved to Dens Park to work alongside Gordon Wallace as youth coach then in October 2007, Bowman returned to Tannadice for a third time, accepting an invitation as community coach.