John Rowlands Player Profile

Biography

Gained something of a reputation as a no-nonsense journeyman in the lower echelons of the Football League. He was originally on the books at Liverpool as a 17-year-old and was a regular in their ‘A’ side but a back injury forced him out and he was told that he would have to retire. He drifted from job to job, but after three years decided to give football another go.

Had a short spell with Marine in 1966, before scoring 68 goals in one season with Liverpool Premier League side, Norwest, earning a move to Mansfield Town in October 1967. ‘Big John’ was a burly forward during his League career which saw him score 46 goals in 267 appearances with the Stags, Torquay United (June 68), Exeter City (Jan 69 loan), Stockport County (Aug 69), Barrow (Jan 71), Workington (who paid fellow Cumbrians £1200 for his services in July 72) and Crewe Alexandra (Nov 73).

He had played abroad with Cape Town City (South Africa) and in 1974 joined the newly-formed Seattle Sounders in the North American Soccer League, finishing top scorer and being named in the NASL All Stars team. ‘Rolo’ returned home to enjoy two seasons at Hartlepool (75-77) but, having converted to a defender, was back in the States with San Jose Earthquakes (76-78 & again in 79/80). Here, he was famously sent off for punching Philadelphia’s Frank Worthington and giving him a bloody nose in an off-the-ball incident. Worthington had netted two great goals and Rowlands, a former boxer, who had been marking him decided enough was enough!

He made 132 appearances and scored 21 times in the NASL across six seasons in the US including spells with Oakland Stompers (1978), Tulsa Roughnecks (1979) and Phoenix Fire (1980). He later played for and became Head Coach for San Jose Oaks in the American Soccer League and featured in the Northern Premier League for Wigan Athletic in 1976/77.

His tough reputation followed him to Nantwich where he was sent off on debut in the 5-1 defeat at Accrington Stanley, 04/09/82. Then drifted into Sunday League soccer, finally hanging up his boots and taking over as licensee at the Boot & Shoe in Nantwich, having previously been co-owner of the Britannia Arms in Cupertino, California. Later ran a pub in Chester.