Ian Bowyer (born 6 June 1951)[2] is an English former footballer who played mostly as a midfielder, best known for many honours in his career at Nottingham Forest.

He has also been involved after playing at Plymouth Argyle, Rotherham United, Birmingham City, Nottingham Forest and Rushden and Diamonds.

The following season, as an 18-year-old, Bowyer made 33 full league appearances and one as substitute for City as they finished 11th in the First Division.

He was also a regular in Manchester City's League Cup run and scored twice in their two-legged semi final against local rivals United.

In March he came on as a substitute for Mike Summerbee in the 1970 Football League Cup final beating West Bromwich Albion 2–1.

City overcame Athletic Bilbao in the first round, 6–3 on aggregate with Bowyer playing in both and scoring in the second leg 3–0 home win.

[3] After Peter Swales' takeover of the Manchester City and the exclusive appointment of Malcolm Allison, Bowyer was out of favour and was sold to Orient under the management of George Petchey for £25,000.

Bowyer scored a hat trick in his first game at Brisbane Road, a 4–1 win against Cardiff City.

The team overcame Portsmouth in the 5th round before facing Newcastle United in the quarter final at St James' Park.

Bowyer was part of the team that appeared to be taking Forest through to the semi-finals, winning 3–1 against ten players, before Newcastle fans invaded the pitch and got the match suspended for eight minutes.

Forest retained the League Cup the season after beating Southampton 3–2 with Bowyer an unused substitute in the final.

In the semi-final Bowyer scored the decisive goal against FC Köln in the 1–0 win in Germany after a 3–3 draw in Nottingham.