Jack Bowdler

Early life Bowdler was born in 1870, son of John Charles Bowdler, a Shrewsbury solicitor. Harry Ernest Bowdler, also known as Ernie, another Wales football international, was his brother.

He was educated at Shrewsbury School, which he attended from 1884 to 1888. He founded the law firm J C H Bowdler & Sons of Shrewsbury which later merged with the Lanyons of Wellington in 1988. The firm is now a full-service law firm named Lanyon Bowdler, located in Shrewsbury.

Bowdler was a Freemason, initiated into the Salopian Lodge of Charity in 1899. It was while at school he and his brother became players at Shrewsbury Town in 1886. He later served on the committee of the club as secretary and chairman and once maintained the club for a whole month at his own expense during the early 1900s. He played for Shrewsbury Town up to 1890 and again during 1893.

Bowdler later joined Wolverhampton Wanderers, with whom he played in the FA Cup ties of the seasons of 1889-90 to semi-final when Wolves were beaten 1-0 by Cup winners Blackburn Rovers, He also played crown green bowls as a member of the Shrewsbury Severnside Bowling Club (founded 1895) and took part in a number of inter-county matches.

Personal life He married in 1901 Agnes, daughter of Benjamin Timmis, farmer, of Westbury, Shropshire and had three sons and a daughter. He died from heart failure at his home, Oakfield House in South Hermitage, Belle Vue, Shrewsbury on 18 July 1927 aged 56 and was buried on 20 July at Shrewsbury General Cemetery in Longden Road.