Arthur Rowley (footballer, born 1870)

Arthur Rowley (born 1870; date of death unknown) was an English footballer who played in the Football League for Burslem Port Vale and Stoke, and in the Southern League with Bristol Rovers.[1] He was the first player to score a goal straight from a direct free kick in the Football League.

Arthur Rowley
Personal information
Full name Arthur Rowley[1]
Date of birth 1870[1]
Place of birth Leek, Staffordshire, England[1]
Position(s) Right-half
Youth career
Leek
Distillery
North Staffordshire Regiment
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1896–1899 Stoke 57 (0)
1900–1902 Bristol Rovers
1902–1903 Burslem Port Vale 57 (4)
Total 114+ (4+)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Career

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Rowley played for Leek, Distillery, and the North Staffordshire Regiment before joining Stoke in 1896.[1] He became a useful addition to the Stoke squad, taking over the right half position from the ageing Davy Brodie.[1] He played four First Division games in the 1896–97 season, before becoming a first-team regular in the 1897–98 and 1898–99 campaigns. He spent three seasons at the Victoria Ground, making 62 appearances.[1]

He played for Bristol Rovers in the Southern League before joining Burslem Port Vale in September 1902.[2] He played 27 league games in the 1902–03 season, as Vale posted a ninth-place finish in the Second Division.[2] He became the first player to score a goal straight from a direct free kick in the Football League on 7 September 1903, in a 3–2 defeat to Bolton Wanderers at the Athletic Ground.[2] He claimed two goals in 38 games in the 1903–04 campaign, but left the club before the start of the 1904–05 season.[2]

Career statistics

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Source:[3]

Club Season Division League FA Cup Test Match Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Stoke 1896–97 First Division 25 0 2 0 27 0
1897–98 First Division 18 0 1 0 2 0 21 0
1898–99 First Division 14 0 0 0 14 0
Total 57 0 3 0 2 0 62 0
Burslem Port Vale 1902–03 Second Division 27 2 2 0 29 2
1903–04 Second Division 30 2 7 0 37 2
Total 57 4 9 0 0 0 66 4
Career total 114 4 12 0 2 0 128 4

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g Matthews, Tony (1994). The Encyclopaedia of Stoke City. Lion Press. ISBN 0-9524151-0-0.
  2. ^ a b c d Kent, Jeff (1996). Port Vale Personalities. Witan Books. p. 255. ISBN 0-9529152-0-0. ASIN 0952915200.
  3. ^ Arthur Rowley at the English National Football Archive (subscription required)