Bill Rowley

Early and personal life William Spencer Rowley was born on 11 September 1865 in Hanley. His father, Charles, a clerk, was widowed following the death of 33-year-old Sarah (née Stevenson) in 1870. He switched to goalkeeping and joined local rivals Burslem Port Vale in April 1884.

Burslem Port Vale Immediately establishing himself as the first-choice goalkeeper, he played 66 games in his two-and-a-half years with the club. He even scored a goal, being one of the scorers in a 12–0 rout of Ironbridge in the final of the 1885 Burslem Challenge Cup. He was called up to the England national team for the match against Ireland in 1886, to act as William Rose's reserve. Stoke finished at the bottom of the table in both 1888–89 and 1889–90 and in 1890 dropped down to the Football Alliance. England won the match "quite comfortably" 6–1, with Jack Yates scoring a hat-trick in his only international appearance.

Rowley's only other England appearance came three years later, also against Ireland, at the Solitude Ground, Belfast, when he was joined by his Stoke teammates Tommy Clare and Alf Underwood as the two full-backs. Harry Daft of Notts County marked the occasion by scoring twice, either side of half-time, in an "unconvincing victory".

Some serious injuries interrupted his career, with Tom Cain taking over in goal for most of the 1893–94 season. Although Rowley recovered his place for the next season, he suffered from further injuries, including a broken breastbone, and as "a fine and fearless goalkeeper with an enormous kick. Rowley handled the ball well and was never afraid to go in where it hurts (when the legs and boots were flying)."

Rowley picked up numerous injuries from his fearless play in defending his goal from sometimes violent attackers, and his resilience made him a popular figure with football supporters across the country.

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Honours Burslem Port Vale Burslem Challenge Cup: 1885 North Staffordshire Charity Challenge Cup: 1885 (shared)

Stoke Football Alliance: 1890–91

England British Home Championship: 1891–92