John Rowlands

John Henry Rowlands (7 February 1947 – 26 April 2020) was an English professional footballer who played as a defender and a forward. Active in England, South Africa and the United States, Rowlands made nearly 400 appearances in a 13-year career.

Career Born in Liverpool, Rowlands began his career in non-league football with Marine and Skelmersdale United, before signing for Mansfield Town as an amateur in October 1967. He went on to play professionally in England, South Africa and the United States for Mansfield Town, Torquay United, Exeter City, Cape Town City, Stockport County, Barrow, Workington, Crewe Alexandra, the Seattle Sounders, Hartlepool United, the San Jose Earthquakes, the Oakland Stompers and the Tulsa Roughnecks.

In 1980 he was contracted to play with ASL expansion team the Phoenix Fire, but the team folded in pre-season.

Later life and death After retirement, Rowlands moved to Florida and opened a number of bars and restaurants, before later returning to the UK.

He died on 26 April 2020, at the age of 73, from COVID-19.