Joe Bowman played left back for Evenwood Juniors between 1920 and 1922.  He left County Durham and played professional football for Doncaster Rovers (1924-1932) and Chesterfield Town (1932-1936).

Family Details

Joseph Bowman was born 7 November 1902, the son of Etty Madge Parkin (nee Bowman).  His step father was Thomas Henry Parkin and half-brother was Harry Parkin.  In 1911, the family lived at Chapel Street, Evenwood with Etty’s father Joseph Bowman, a 67 years old widower and banksman at the local colliery.  In 1924, Joseph Bowman married Eva Rewcastle at West Auckland.[1] By 1939, Joe and Eva lived at 140 Hunloke Avenue, Boythorpe, Chesterfield.[2]  In 1941, Joe Bowman died aged 38, leaving a widow and 2 children, Joan and Joseph. [3] 

Football Career

Joe Bowman was a left back, playing for Evenwood Juniors in both successful seasons, 1920-21 and 1921-22. 

Above: 1920-21, Evenwood Juniors, Joe Bowman is seated 4th from the left.

August 1924, Joseph Bowman signed a professional contract with Doncaster Rovers then in Division Three North.  In his first season, from 24 August 1924 to 4 May 1925, he was paid £4 per week. 

Above:  Joseph Bowman

Between 1924 and 1932, he made 201 appearances in all competitions, scoring 1 goal.

Above: 1930-31 season, Doncaster Rovers.  Joe Bowman is 3rd row, standing 3rd from the right

12 April 1931, a benefit match for Joe Bowman was played between Doncaster Rovers and Manchester City.   The sum of £202 17 shillings and 6 pence was raised. 

Joe was transferred to Chesterfield Town in Division Two during the 1931-32 season, making his debut v Tottenham Hotspurs in a 3-3 draw on 13 February 1932.  He made 31 appearances in total, playing his last game against Stoke City on 15 April 1933.[4] 

After leaving Chesterfield, in 1935 he was employed at Markham’s Works and played non-league football for Broad Oaks Works.[5]

Above:  An undated press article reporting the death of Joe Bowman

Acknowledgement:

Thanks to Lyn Newton and the Bowman family.

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REFERENCES

[1] England & Wales Marriage Index 1916-2005 Vol.10a p.375 Auckland Q41924

[2] 1939 England & Wales Register note: 2 records are “officially closed”

[3] England & Wales Death Index 1916-2007 Vol.7b p.1043 Chesterfield Q3 1941 and the press article and family details.

[4] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Bowman_(footballer)?fbclid=IwAR3qql642pq-iCgQ0GdD4j3FN6_hkaACrsiYGlHbdlBMNbs4UaV6c-3-xHo

[5] Undated press article