Jonathan Rowan
Encyclopedia
Jonathan Robert "Jonny" Rowan (born 29 November 1981 in Grimsby
) is a former English
professional footballer. He notably played in the Football League
for his home town club Grimsby Town
, having also played for Kidderminster Harriers
, Kettering Town
, Gainsborough Trinity
, Boston Town
and Boston United
.
He currently runs his own sports development firm called JR Sports which specialises in working with schools to improve sports access for children, as well as working as a part time Community Coach for former club Grimsby Town
.
, however following Buckley's dismissal it was his replacement Lennie Lawrence
that would hand Rowan his debut. He made that debut on the 26 September 2000 when he came on as a 76th minute replacement for Daryl Clare
in a League Cup
2nd round 1st leg match with Wolverhampton Wanderers
and with what was his first touch of the ball he hit in Grimsby's third goal of the night which turned out to be the winning goal in a 3-2 win for The Mariners. Rowan featured in a further seven matches during the 2000-2001 season and by the time the next summer came around Rowan's performances in the clubs pre-season tour of Scandinavia
earned him the opportunity to start the new season as one of the clubs favoured forwards. He straight away formed a forward partnership with Phil Jevons
that saw the club rise briefly to the top of the First Division
, he was also ever present and started in the historic 2-1 League Cup
victory over Liverpool
during the 2001-2002 season. However following injury problems, Rowan found himself mainly sidelined for the next few couple of seasons, and when he was fit he often found himself only playing a cameo part in the first team affairs. This would eventually lead up to his exit from Blundell Park
following the conclusion of the 2003-2004 season. Whilst wirth Grimsby Rowan was considered capable of playing at the highest level, but ongoing injury problems at a relatively young age meant his time with the Mariners represented the peak of his footballing career.
side Kidderminster Harriers
during the 2004-2005 season, however it was only for a brief spell where he signed on a non contract basis. After making not one single appearance for the club, he was released in January 2005.
side Kettering Town
along with fellow former Grimsby team mate Steve Croudson
. After playing in only a handful of games for the club who were briefly managed by Paul Gascoigne
he moved on again.
side Gainsborough Trinity
during the 2005-2006 season however he initially struggled too break into the first team at Trinity and found himself playing second fiddle to other strikers at the club. He briefly left Gainsborough for a month, but returned and won his place back in the team and create a brief striking partnership with Dave Reeves
and Clint Marcelle
.
of the United Counties Football League
who were 9 tiers down from the league he made his debut in for Grimsby. At Boston he nothced up an impressive scoring rate. This would enable him then to move back up the footballing pyramid the following season.
. The club had just suffered relegation from the Football League
but due to financial irregularities at York Street
the club were also demoted from the Conference National
a few weeks later and would have to start the 2007-2008 season playing in the Conference North
. In his first season with United his performances earned him being voted the Player of the Season. Despite United finishing mid table more off the field complications saw the club demoted for a second time this time into the Northern Premier League
. By the end of the 2008-2009 season The Pilgirms had failed to win promotion and the manager along with most of the playing squad departed that summer.
for the 2009-2010 season. whilst also being contracted to former club Grimsby Town
as a Community Coach, at the end of the season Rowan left Boston Town for a second time and opted to end his playing career in order to take up interests in coaching within the sport.
, he mixed his duties with playing as a semi-professional for Boston Town
. Rowan was initially relieved of his duties in the summer of 2010 with the club only retaining former manager Graham Rodger
as a Community coach, but this was short lived and he returned soon after on a part time basis. In October 2010 Rowan launched his own sports business called JR Sports who work with schools to improve sport for their pupils.
Grimsby
Grimsby is a seaport on the Humber Estuary in Lincolnshire, England. It has been the administrative centre of the unitary authority area of North East Lincolnshire since 1996...
) is a former English
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
professional footballer. He notably played in the Football League
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
for his home town club Grimsby Town
Grimsby Town F.C.
Grimsby Town Football Club is an English football club based in the seaside town of Cleethorpes, in North East Lincolnshire, England, who compete in the Conference National. They were formed in 1878 as Grimsby Pelham and later became Grimsby Town...
, having also played for Kidderminster Harriers
Kidderminster Harriers F.C.
Kidderminster Harriers F.C. are an English football club based in Kidderminster, Worcestershire formed in 1886 They currently play in the Conference National and have played at Aggborough Stadium since they were formed...
, Kettering Town
Kettering Town F.C.
Kettering Town Football Club are a football club originating in Kettering, Northamptonshire but currently based in the nearby village of Irthlingborough. The club play in the Conference National after winning the Conference North in 2007–08...
, Gainsborough Trinity
Gainsborough Trinity F.C.
Gainsborough Trinity Football Club are an English football club based in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire.Between 1896 and 1912 they were members of the Football League. They are currently in the Conference North, and play their home matches at The Northolme, which has a capacity of 4,304...
, Boston Town
Boston Town F.C.
Boston Town F.C. is an English football club based in Boston, Lincolnshire. The club are currently members of the United Counties League Premier Division and play at Tattershall Road.-History:...
and Boston United
Boston United F.C.
Boston United Football Club are an association football club based in Boston, Lincolnshire, England. They currently play in the Conference North. The club is known as 'the Pilgrims' in reference to the Pilgrim Fathers, who fled from Boston to the USA and founded Boston, Massachusetts. The club's...
.
He currently runs his own sports development firm called JR Sports which specialises in working with schools to improve sports access for children, as well as working as a part time Community Coach for former club Grimsby Town
Grimsby Town F.C.
Grimsby Town Football Club is an English football club based in the seaside town of Cleethorpes, in North East Lincolnshire, England, who compete in the Conference National. They were formed in 1878 as Grimsby Pelham and later became Grimsby Town...
.
Grimsby Town
Rowan was added to the Mariners squad in the summer of 2000 by manager Alan BuckleyAlan Buckley
Alan Peter Buckley is an English football manager. He was manager of League Two side Grimsby Town until his dismissal in September 2008...
, however following Buckley's dismissal it was his replacement Lennie Lawrence
Lennie Lawrence
Robin Michael Lawrence, commonly known as Lennie Lawrence, is a British football manager who is assistant manager of Crystal Palace. He has managed a number of English clubs and one Welsh club in a coaching career spanning over 30 years...
that would hand Rowan his debut. He made that debut on the 26 September 2000 when he came on as a 76th minute replacement for Daryl Clare
Daryl Clare
Daryl Adam Clare is a Jersey-born Irish former professional footballer. He played as a striker. He has previously played for Grimsby Town, Northampton Town, Cheltenham Town, Boston United, Chester City, Crawley Town, Burton Albion, Rushden & Diamonds, Mansfield Town and Gateshead. He has twice won...
in a League Cup
League Cup
In association football, a League Cup or Secondary Cup generally signifies a cup competition for which entry is restricted only to teams in a particular league. The first national association football tournament to be called "League Cup" was held in Scotland in 1946/47 and was entitled the Scottish...
2nd round 1st leg match with Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club that represents the city of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands region. They are members of the Premier League, the highest level of English football. The club was founded in 1877 and since 1889 has played at...
and with what was his first touch of the ball he hit in Grimsby's third goal of the night which turned out to be the winning goal in a 3-2 win for The Mariners. Rowan featured in a further seven matches during the 2000-2001 season and by the time the next summer came around Rowan's performances in the clubs pre-season tour of Scandinavia
Scandinavia
Scandinavia is a cultural, historical and ethno-linguistic region in northern Europe that includes the three kingdoms of Denmark, Norway and Sweden, characterized by their common ethno-cultural heritage and language. Modern Norway and Sweden proper are situated on the Scandinavian Peninsula,...
earned him the opportunity to start the new season as one of the clubs favoured forwards. He straight away formed a forward partnership with Phil Jevons
Phil Jevons
Phillip "Phil" Jevons is an English football player who currently plays for Football League Two side Morecambe. He is notably remembered for scoring a last minute 45 yard extra time winning goal for Grimsby Town against his home town club Liverpool in the third round of the League Cup in 2001...
that saw the club rise briefly to the top of the First Division
Football League Championship
The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
, he was also ever present and started in the historic 2-1 League Cup
League Cup
In association football, a League Cup or Secondary Cup generally signifies a cup competition for which entry is restricted only to teams in a particular league. The first national association football tournament to be called "League Cup" was held in Scotland in 1946/47 and was entitled the Scottish...
victory over Liverpool
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
during the 2001-2002 season. However following injury problems, Rowan found himself mainly sidelined for the next few couple of seasons, and when he was fit he often found himself only playing a cameo part in the first team affairs. This would eventually lead up to his exit from Blundell Park
Blundell Park
Blundell Park is a football ground in Cleethorpes, North East Lincolnshire, England and home to Grimsby Town Football Club. The stadium was built in 1898, but only one of the original stands remain. The current capacity of the ground is 9546, though with the introduction of all seating in the late...
following the conclusion of the 2003-2004 season. Whilst wirth Grimsby Rowan was considered capable of playing at the highest level, but ongoing injury problems at a relatively young age meant his time with the Mariners represented the peak of his footballing career.
Kidderminster Harriers
After leaving Grimsby he made a move too Football League TwoFootball League Two
Football League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....
side Kidderminster Harriers
Kidderminster Harriers F.C.
Kidderminster Harriers F.C. are an English football club based in Kidderminster, Worcestershire formed in 1886 They currently play in the Conference National and have played at Aggborough Stadium since they were formed...
during the 2004-2005 season, however it was only for a brief spell where he signed on a non contract basis. After making not one single appearance for the club, he was released in January 2005.
Kettering Town
Rowan joined Conference NorthConference North
The Conference North also known as Blue Square Bet North for sponsorship reasons, is a division of the Football Conference in England, taking its place immediately below the Conference National. Along with Conference South it is at Step 2 of the National League System and the sixth overall tier of...
side Kettering Town
Kettering Town F.C.
Kettering Town Football Club are a football club originating in Kettering, Northamptonshire but currently based in the nearby village of Irthlingborough. The club play in the Conference National after winning the Conference North in 2007–08...
along with fellow former Grimsby team mate Steve Croudson
Steve Croudson
Steven "Steve" Croudson is a former English professional footballer who played in the position of goalkeeper . He notably played for his home town club Grimsby Town between 1998 and 2003. He retired from injury at the age of 26 and returned to Grimsby to serve as the clubs Goalkeeping Coach...
. After playing in only a handful of games for the club who were briefly managed by Paul Gascoigne
Paul Gascoigne
Paul John Gascoigne , commonly referred to as Gazza, is a retired English professional footballer.Playing in the position of midfield, Gascoigne's career included spells at Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur, Lazio, Rangers, Middlesbrough, Everton and Gansu Tianma, where he scored at least a goal...
he moved on again.
Gainsborough Trinity
Rowan signed for fellow Conference NorthConference North
The Conference North also known as Blue Square Bet North for sponsorship reasons, is a division of the Football Conference in England, taking its place immediately below the Conference National. Along with Conference South it is at Step 2 of the National League System and the sixth overall tier of...
side Gainsborough Trinity
Gainsborough Trinity F.C.
Gainsborough Trinity Football Club are an English football club based in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire.Between 1896 and 1912 they were members of the Football League. They are currently in the Conference North, and play their home matches at The Northolme, which has a capacity of 4,304...
during the 2005-2006 season however he initially struggled too break into the first team at Trinity and found himself playing second fiddle to other strikers at the club. He briefly left Gainsborough for a month, but returned and won his place back in the team and create a brief striking partnership with Dave Reeves
Dave Reeves
David Edward "Dave" Reeves is a former professional footballer who notably for Chesterfield, Bolton Wanderers and Carlisle United. He is currently without a club after leaving his post as Assistant Manager with Gainsborough Trinity.-Playing:Reeves was drafted into the first team squad at Sheffield...
and Clint Marcelle
Clint Marcelle
Clint Sherwin Marcelle is a former professional footballer who played between 1995 and 2006 in his native Trinidad as well as Portugal and England...
.
Boston Town
Despite this he made a move to lowly amateur side Boston TownBoston Town F.C.
Boston Town F.C. is an English football club based in Boston, Lincolnshire. The club are currently members of the United Counties League Premier Division and play at Tattershall Road.-History:...
of the United Counties Football League
United Counties Football League
The United Counties Football League is an English football league covering Northamptonshire and Bedfordshire, as well as parts of Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire and Norfolk. It has a total of four divisions, two for first teams and two for reserve teams...
who were 9 tiers down from the league he made his debut in for Grimsby. At Boston he nothced up an impressive scoring rate. This would enable him then to move back up the footballing pyramid the following season.
Boston United
In the summer of 2007 he transferred to cross town neighbours Boston UnitedBoston United F.C.
Boston United Football Club are an association football club based in Boston, Lincolnshire, England. They currently play in the Conference North. The club is known as 'the Pilgrims' in reference to the Pilgrim Fathers, who fled from Boston to the USA and founded Boston, Massachusetts. The club's...
. The club had just suffered relegation from the Football League
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
but due to financial irregularities at York Street
York Street
York Street, currently styled as The Jakemans Stadium for sponsorship purposes, is a football stadium in Boston, England, and is the home ground of Boston United. Originally called Shodfriars Lane, football has been played on the site since the late 19th century by a variety of Boston teams, but...
the club were also demoted from the Conference National
Conference National
Conference National is the top division of the Football Conference in England. It is the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system...
a few weeks later and would have to start the 2007-2008 season playing in the Conference North
Conference North
The Conference North also known as Blue Square Bet North for sponsorship reasons, is a division of the Football Conference in England, taking its place immediately below the Conference National. Along with Conference South it is at Step 2 of the National League System and the sixth overall tier of...
. In his first season with United his performances earned him being voted the Player of the Season. Despite United finishing mid table more off the field complications saw the club demoted for a second time this time into the Northern Premier League
Northern Premier League
The Northern Premier League, is one of the regional English football leagues which sits directly below the Football Conference featuring semi-professional and amateur clubs. Geographically, the league covers all of Northern England, and the northern areas of the Midlands. Originally just one...
. By the end of the 2008-2009 season The Pilgirms had failed to win promotion and the manager along with most of the playing squad departed that summer.
Return to Boston Town
Rowan returned to part-timers Boston TownBoston Town F.C.
Boston Town F.C. is an English football club based in Boston, Lincolnshire. The club are currently members of the United Counties League Premier Division and play at Tattershall Road.-History:...
for the 2009-2010 season. whilst also being contracted to former club Grimsby Town
Grimsby Town F.C.
Grimsby Town Football Club is an English football club based in the seaside town of Cleethorpes, in North East Lincolnshire, England, who compete in the Conference National. They were formed in 1878 as Grimsby Pelham and later became Grimsby Town...
as a Community Coach, at the end of the season Rowan left Boston Town for a second time and opted to end his playing career in order to take up interests in coaching within the sport.
Coaching career
During the 2009-2010 season Rowan was appointed part time Community Coach at former club Grimsby TownGrimsby Town F.C.
Grimsby Town Football Club is an English football club based in the seaside town of Cleethorpes, in North East Lincolnshire, England, who compete in the Conference National. They were formed in 1878 as Grimsby Pelham and later became Grimsby Town...
, he mixed his duties with playing as a semi-professional for Boston Town
Boston Town F.C.
Boston Town F.C. is an English football club based in Boston, Lincolnshire. The club are currently members of the United Counties League Premier Division and play at Tattershall Road.-History:...
. Rowan was initially relieved of his duties in the summer of 2010 with the club only retaining former manager Graham Rodger
Graham Rodger
Graham Rodger is a Scottish born English former professional footballer and football manager. He played as a defender from 1984 until 1998 for Wolverhampton Wanderers, Coventry City and Luton Town before finishing his career with a six year stint at Grimsby Town, where he retired in 1998 following...
as a Community coach, but this was short lived and he returned soon after on a part time basis. In October 2010 Rowan launched his own sports business called JR Sports who work with schools to improve sport for their pupils.
External links
- electronicfishcake.com Player Profile