Sam Rowbotham

Life and career Rowbotham was born in Rotherham, and turned professional the following February. Because of injuries, Rowbotham made his first-team debut on 27 February, playing at left half in a 2–0 win at home to Hull City in the Third Division North. That proved to be his only appearance of the season, Playing at inside left, he scored his first Football League goal in a 5–2 loss to New Brighton, and made one more appearance before leaving the club at the end of the season. He went straight into the team at left half, impressed, and remained in the team for the rest of the season.

In July 1934, he signed for Third Division North club Darlington. He scored once, a free kick against his former club, Rotherham United. He played in the first four matches of the 1935–36 season, to take his appearance total to 17, after which Hodgson returned to favour. Rowbotham returned to the Midland League with Peterborough United. He played regularly, missing only eight Midland League matches over the next three seasons, and continued for a further season in the 1939–40 emergency competitions.

Rowbotham worked at Peter Brotherhood's armaments factory in Peterborough during the Second World War, and played for their works team after his club closed down for the duration. He remained in the area after the war, and died in Peterborough in 1979 at the age of 66.