Steve Cowens, life long Blade, Author, Festival Organiser, Charity Fundraiser and all-round nice chap joined us at Awayday Radio for a chat.
Let’s start at the beginning. You’re a massive Sheffield United fan. What’s the story of how you started watching the Blades?
Yeah, I love the club, it all started when my granddad and dad started taking me to Bramall Lane when I was 7. My first game was an evening match v Arsenal, it was almost a spiritual experience as a haze from the dew rose off the pitch under the gaze of the floodlights. I was hooked and got my first season ticket in 1973. I’ve actually got the actual wooden seat from 1973 in my back garden.
You must be made up with your performance in the Premier League this year!
Unreal, I’m a good mate of Chris Wilders and I knew he’d do well at the Lane but not this well. We’ve played without fear and a style of football that is great on the eye. I actually think next season will be more of a struggle than this one but we’ve got a team to be proud of who leave everything out on the field and that’s all we ask.
Who is your all-time favourite player?
Blades wise Tony Currie, he could do magic. Nationally, Gazza.
How did you first get involved in the violence on match days?
Difficult to say really. At school, butter wouldn’t melt in my mouth. I didn’t have much as a kid and wasn’t the best dressed and got picked on for that. I think when I walked out of them school gates for the last time I thought to myself, No one is ever picking on me again. I also think that’s why I’ve been so obsessed with clothes. I’ve got over 100 jackets and 150 pairs of Claire Rainers (trainers). Leaving school in 1979 saw me meet the casual movement head-on. By 1981 I had got a reputation as a game young ‘un and the older last used to treat me well and take me to the games with them. I never had the problems other youngsters had in the fact they were taxed and bullied a bit. I really think that subconsciously I wanted to be somebody so went out to make a name for myself. By 1983 I’d amassed a close-knit group of around 40 youngsters and even stopped any of our group being bullied. We then started to travel independently from the older lads and got into some right scraps. This group was the beginning of the BBC.
Apart from the obvious who was your biggest rivals firm wise?
Difficult to say really but probably Leeds, we also developed a fierce rivalry with Birmingham’s Zulus.
Any smaller clubs ever surprise you?
Lincoln City, ran us all over in a pre-season game, we weren’t prepared for how game they were, hats off to em.
You’re into your clobber. What’s your all-time favourite label and current favourite?
Current label Moncler but my all-time fav would have to be Cerrutti 1881, I used to travel all over the place to find pieces of Cerrutti when everyone was wearing Fila-Tacchini-Ellesse etc. I’ve actually got my first Cerrutti tracksuit framed at home. Burberry has always had a place in my wardrobe though, I’ve got 7 shirts hung up now. In 1983 I had a poncho custom made from a Burberry blanket and went to Leeds with it on. All the lads were calling me Twit-Eastwood!
You released your book back in 2001 and I have to say it was a great read. How did the book go down with the rest of the lads?
Yeah everyone was cool with it and quite proud, to be honest. On the whole, I got a very good response from not only United lads but lads up and down the country, I tried to tell it how it was, even when I’d got sparked.
You released part 2 of the book and a few about Sheffield United. Any plans to release any more?
No more violence books, I’ve moved on in my life but I am currently writing about my life as a Sheffield United fan thanks to this fake scamdemic bullshit.
We know your big into your music, so what are you listening to at the moment and anything new you can recommend to us?
I’m into the DMA’S at the moment and a SKA/PUNK band from America called the Interrupters. I’m big on up and coming bands so watch out for a band called The K’s and The Reytons,
What tunes remind you of an Awayday?
The Enemy
You now run a couple of festivals {Matlock & Mos Fest}. How did you get into this?
By accident really. A good mate of mine suddenly committed suicide so I had a charity day for him with some bands on to raise money for his then 5-year-old son, it developed from there really and I’ve put some big events on since and have raised nearly 100k for various charities.
What’s the show you are most proud of putting on?
Probably putting Catfish and The Bottlemen on at Don Valley Bowl, it was a huge thing for one person to put on and organise but I pulled it off and it was brilliant, the gig sold out 8000 tickets in 4 minutes.
And your favourite act?
The Stone Roses, they came on the music scene like a breath of fresh air.
What would be your dream festival line up?
The Stone Roses, The Jam, The Twang, Deacon Blue, The Enemy, DMA’S, The Dualers, The Doors, Cast, James, New Order and not forgetting Marquis Drive.
Obviously Covid19 as affected everything at the moment and you have had to cancel Mos Fest. Are plans already being put in place for next year?
I can’t plan anything at the moment so my life is on hold. I really think this is more about control than the actual health of people.
How have you coped with lockdown etc?
I’ve been ok as I think after 9 years of running myself ragged I was due a break. I’ve taken time out to access things and start to write a book. I’ve also spent a lot of time with my grandson who is my life now, he’s just 3 and the best thing that’s happened to me in a long time. I actually broke down on his 3rd birthday as I couldn’t see due to lockdown and hadn’t seen him for 8 weeks.
Finally, tell us something about yourself not many people know?
The football team I used to be the manager of (Mosborough) once beat Bradway, managed by Chris Wilder 3-0, so in theory, I’m a better manager than him, or so I tell him anyhow! Another is I arranged for Grimethorpe Brass band (we had just taken over managing the band) to play at Gweneth Paltrows 40th birthday at one of Jamie Olivers places in London. It was quite funny when Chris Martin rang me to arrange it. I’d only just moved into a new office after setting my events company up and one of the first phone calls was Chris Martin. At first, I thought it was one of my mates messing about so when he said its Chris Martin from Coldplay I actually replied saying yeh and I’m Noddy fuckin’ Holder from Slade. He laughed and convinced me it was him. He’s a top bloke Chris and went onto to do something for the kids in Grimethorpe, I can’t say what it is but it is very generous and a mark of a great geezer. There was a lot of stars at Gweneths 40th and they were really good with us.
Thanks for chatting to us Steve!
