Jack Bowers

Early days

Bowers was born in Low Santon, near Scunthorpe and, after playing for Scunthorpe works side Appleby Works, started his professional career with Scunthorpe & Lindsey United in December 1927. Five months later, he was transferred to Derby County, where he was to remain until 1936.

Derby County

He was signed for Derby County by manager George Jobey on 5 May 1928, on the same day as future England international Jack Barker. He made his debut in a 2–1 win over Bolton Wanderers at the Baseball Ground on 2 February 1929 and celebrated his first appearance by scoring. It was not until the 1930–31 season that Bowers was to become a regular selection at centre forward after the transfer of Harry Bedford to Newcastle United. His first match in this season came against Arsenal, which launched Bowers on the way to breaking the club's goal-scoring record. Having sat out the first nine matches of the season, Bowers scored 37 goals in the remaining 33 matches, including four in one game against Chelsea when the Rams beat the Londoners 6–2. He scored 15 goals in a run of six consecutive matches in January and February 1931. This magnificent spell of goal-scoring was the main reason why Derby reached sixth place and, for most of the season, were sitting on the edge of the leading pack. Bowers holds Derby County's record for the number of League goals in a season (37), although this was equalled by Ray Straw in the Third Division North campaign of 1956–57. The…

In August 1943, Bowers was appointed coach to Notts County, working with the youth team. After two years, he returned to Derby County as assistant trainer, a position he held for over twenty years. He and his wife lived on Pear Tree Road (No. 59), not far from the Baseball Ground, where they kept a shop. He died on 4 July 1970 in Lichfield, Staffordshire.

His son John Bowers, Jr. played for Derby County between 1957 and 1966, making 65 League appearances in that time. Bowers is the first cousin twice removed of Keith Lindsey and Barry Lindsey, two other Scunthorpe players. The Lindseys are connected through their maternal grandmother's line.