After spending many years as part of Bolton's backroom staff, he was appointed manager in August 1944.
He left Boundary Park and moved on to Bolton Wanderers in 1912, and made his debut against West Bromwich Albion in February 1913.
However, Rowley missed the 1923 FA Cup final against West Ham United because he was serving a six-week suspension for being sent off against Huddersfield Town.
[4] Rowley became a coach with Bolton before he took over as manager at the latter end of World War II, before the Football League proper started, following Charles Foweraker's retirement in August 1944.
[3] He was made a life member of the club for his 37 years of service as a player, coach and manager.
Ill health again forced him to resign in March 1954, and his replacement, Bob Dennison, failed to steer the club away from the relegation zone by the end of the 1953–54 campaign.