Emley AFC are excited to confirm that fan favourite and defensive rock Jack Cowgill has signed a new contract for the 2025/26 season, following a superb campaign which saw him named Manager’s Player of the Year.

The 28-year-old centre-back has become a vital part of the Pewits’ back line, known for his calmness under pressure, sharp passing, and no-nonsense defending. But Jack’s story is more than just solid performances, it’s about rediscovering passion for a game he once fell out of love with.

“Since joining Emley my love for football has returned,” Jack said. “I really love everything about the club. The fans have been amazing, not just at games, but the little things like messages on Twitter or speaking to you in the clubhouse. It means a lot.”

Cowgill’s football journey began at just eight years old when he joined Barnsley FC's academy, working his way through the ranks to earn a professional contract.

Following a spell in the National League with Boston United, the transition from full-time to part-time football was a struggle.

He said: “I fell badly out of love with the game. I just stopped enjoying it. After Boston, I went to university and focused on my degree. I started playing again in the North East Counties, just to see if I could get back into it, but Covid hit and I couldn’t stay fit. I gave it up again.”

After a year away from football altogether, Cowgill’s career was revived thanks to a call from Emley: “Ben Walker rang me toward the end of the 2022/23 season. I said no at first because I hadn’t kicked a ball in over a year and wasn’t fit. But I promised I’d come down in pre-season and see how it felt, and I’m so glad I did.

“Since joining, I’ve absolutely loved it. From an enjoyment point of view, 2023/24 was my best season in football. My work-life-football balance is really good, and that’s important.”
Cowgill played a key role in Emley’s Northern Premier League East Division play-off campaign, where the Pewits narrowly missed out on promotion after a hard-fought loss to Dunston.

He continued: “Overall, I think it was a successful season. Not many people expected us to be up there, but we proved a lot of people wrong. It was disappointing to fall short in the play-offs, especially after such a good season. But we showed we can compete with the best.

“That game against Dunston gives us confidence going into next season. They finished second, and we pushed them right to the final whistle.”

His influence at the back was a key factor in Emley boasting one of the best defensive records in the league.

He said: “Defensively, we were solid all season. At one point, we were in the top three in the whole non-league for clean sheets. That comes from having a strong team ethic and a settled back four. If we can add more goals next year, there’s no reason we can’t push even further.

Cowgill’s contribution didn’t go unnoticed. The Emley coaching staff voted him Management Player of the Year, a recognition that left the humble defender genuinely touched.

He added: “To be recognised like that, it’s a nice feeling as a number of lads deserved it. There are a lot of lads who had brilliant seasons, so to get that award means a lot.“

Asked about the decision to extend his stay, Jack was emphatic: “When I was approached about signing a new contract, it was a no-brainer. There weren’t any long negotiations, it was an easy yes. I’m enjoying my football here, and I’m happy to carry on. This place has helped me fall back in love with the game, and that means everything to me.”

Beyond his on-field contributions, Jack credits Emley’s dressing room and culture for helping him reignite his passion for football.

He said: “We’ve got a brilliant group. The dressing room is tight. We’re not just teammates, we’re friends. We go out after games, we support each other, and that makes training on cold December nights something to look forward to. People underestimate how important team spirit is at this level. A good changing room is worth ten points a season.”

As for the fans, Jack had nothing but praise: “The supporters have been incredible. Home games are brilliant, and we had the second best attendance in the league. It’s not just about the numbers, it’s the atmosphere they create. It really does lift the lads.

“Some of them travel all over the country to back us. Against Dunston, we made up nearly half the crowd, and that says everything about how special this club is.”

With a full pre-season ahead, Jack is eager to build on last season’s momentum and lead the club into another promotion push.

He said: “Now that we’ve had a year at this level, we know what to expect. We’ve shown we belong here, we just need to keep building and go one better.”

Emley fans will be thrilled to have Cowgill continue anchoring the defence for another campaign, a player whose passion, presence, and professionalism embody everything the club stands for.

You can sponsor Jack for 2025/26 now on our online club shop

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