Over the off-season following a pre-season tour of Scandinavia several injuries to other forwards had earned him the opportunity to start the 2001–02 season as a first team regular and he quickly formed a partnership with Phil Jevons that saw the club rise briefly to the top of the First Division.
Whilst with Grimsby Rowan was considered capable of playing at the highest level, but ongoing injury problems at a relatively young age meant his time with the Mariners represented the peak of his footballing career.
After leaving Grimsby he made a move to Football League Two side Kidderminster Harriers during the 2004–2005 season, however it was only for a brief spell where he signed on a non-contract basis.
[5] Rowan joined Conference North side Kettering Town along with fellow former Grimsby teammate Steve Croudson.
He briefly left Gainsborough for a month, but returned and won his place back in the team and create a brief striking partnership with Dave Reeves and Clint Marcelle.
Rowan was initially relieved of his duties in the summer of 2010 with the club only retaining former manager Graham Rodger as a Community coach, but this was short lived and he returned soon after on a part-time basis.