He played at representative level for Great Britain (vice-captain), England and Rugby League XIII, and at club level for Newbold Intermediates ARLFC (in Newbold, Rochdale) and Swinton, as a goal-kicking fullback, and occasionally scrum-half.
He was the son of the rugby league, and association footballer Walter Gowers, and maternal grandfather of the Middlesex cricketer John Simpson.
His funeral took place at St Joseph Roman Catholic Church, Peter Street, Bury on Monday 6 November 2017,[4] followed by a wake at Woodbank Cricket Club, Stafford Street, Bury.
[5] Gowers played fullback for Rugby League XIII while at Swinton in the 8–26 defeat by France on Saturday 22 November 1958 at Knowsley Road, St. Helens.
Gowers played fullback in Swinton's 9–15 defeat by St. Helens in the 1960 Lancashire Cup Final during the 1960–61 season at Central Park, Wigan on Saturday 29 October 1960, played fullback in the 9–25 defeat by St. Helens in the 1961 Lancashire Cup Final during the 1961–62 season at Central Park, Wigan on Saturday 11 November 1961, played fullback in the 4–7 defeat by St. Helens in the 1962 Lancashire Cup Final during the 1962–63 season at Central Park, Wigan on Saturday 27 October 1962, played fullback in the 4–12 defeat by St. Helens in the 1964 Lancashire Cup Final during the 1964–65 season at Central Park, Wigan on Saturday 24 October 1964, played fullback in the 11–2 victory over Leigh in the 1969 Lancashire Cup Final during the 1969–70 season at Central Park, Wigan on Saturday 1 November 1969, and played scrum-half, and scored 3-goals in the 11–25 defeat by Salford in the 1972 Lancashire Cup Final during the 1972–73 season at Central Park, Wigan on Saturday 21 October 1972.