Rowbotham played for Cheddleton Mental Hospital before joining Port Vale in April 1931.
[1] He scored on his debut in a 1–0 win over Bradford City at The Old Recreation Ground on the last day of the season on 2 May 1931.
[1] The next season he was only used as a backup player however, and he scored one goal in a 4–1 win over Preston North End at Deepdale on 24 October, making six Second Division appearances.
[1] He was released upon the end of the season and moved on to Cheshire County League club Hyde United.
Rowbotham played 19 Third Division North games for Rochdale in 1936–37, scoring one goal, before he joined non-League Tunbridge Wells Rangers.