Norman Rowlinson

Norman Rowlinson (June 1923 – 18 August 2006) was an English businessman and chairman of Crewe Alexandra from 1964 to 1988, credited with keeping the club afloat during its toughest financial times.

A director of a timber business, he joined Crewe as a director in 1962, and became chairman in 1964. Crewe achieved promotion from the Fourth Division on two occasions during the 1960s, but initially unable to establish themselves at the higher level. From 1969, Crewe spent 20 years in Division Four, finishing bottom in 1971–72, 1978–79 and 1981–82.

Rowlinson appointed Tony Waddington as manager in 1978. Popular with fans, Waddington failed to achieve promotion in 1981 and was sacked by Rowlinson. Gradi looked to build an academy structure to develop players that could be sold to help fund the player development programme. Among his early transfer successes were Geoff Thomas and John Pemberton (both signed from Rochdale and sold to Crystal Palace, in 1987 and 1988 respectively), and former Manchester United apprentice David Platt, signed in 1985 and sold to Aston Villa for £200,000 in February 1988. Gradi remained as manager for 24 years, Crewe then twice lost in play-off semi-finals, to Bristol Rovers in 1995 and Notts County in 1996, before returning to Wembley in the 1997 Division Two play-off final, securing a 1–0 victory over Brentford to put the club back in the second tier for the first time since 1896.

Rowlinson retired as chairman in 1988 when he handed over the reins to John Bowler, although he remained at the club as a director and president. Rowlinson had sought police advice about Bennell and had been advised to "move him on". The Football Association's Sheldon Report, published in March 2021, identified failures to act adequately at clubs including Crewe. While Sheldon concluded senior Crewe people—Rowlinson, Bowler and other directors—had not received specific reports of abuse (a conclusion also reached by Cheshire constabulary), they had discussed concerns about inappropriate behaviour; the club "should have done more to check on the well-being of the boys", Sheldon said.

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