Prior to turning professional, Southport-born Rodwell played for his hometown club, Buxton, Runcorn, and Colne Dynamoes.
His most successful period came under the guidance of Billy Ayre at Blackpool, where, in May 1992, he won promotion to the new Division Two after a penalty shoot-out win over Scunthorpe in the Division Four play-off final at Wembley (after losing out to Torquay at the same venue twelve months earlier).
He appeared in 49 of Blackpool's 51 league and cup games in his debut 1990–91 season, as well is in their three play-off ties (scoring Blackpool's goal in their semi-final, first leg draw at Scunthorpe United, a goal he has named his favourite),[1] making the number-7 shirt his own.
He scored on his full debut, in a 4–1 victory over Wrexham at Bloomfield Road on 15 September, after deputising for the injured on-loan Phil Stant in the forward line.
After a short spell at Scarborough (which included a loan stint at Wigan Athletic), and Witton Albion, he finished his playing career with non-League Hyde United .