The son of a Worcestershire professional cricketer, Jack Bowles was 17 before he played football. His goalkeeping career began with his hometown team, Cheltenham Town, before he was persuaded to sign professional forms with Newport County in May, 1936.

After making only four League appearances in his one season with the South Wales club, he was transferred to Accrington Stanley in June, 1937.

He made only 12 appearances for Stanley, although with thoughts of possibly following in his father's footsteps, he turned out for Accrington Cricket Club as a fast bowler.

On July 12, 1938 he was transferred to County in an exchange deal which took goalkeeper John Daniels and centre-forward Sammy Hunt to Peel Park.

Bowles' arrival at Edgeley Park began a 15-year association with County where he became one of the club's most popular players, regarded by many as County's finest-ever goalkeeper.

Nicknamed 'Tiger' Bowles because he consistently prowled the penalty area, crouching and waving his arms even when County were attacking, he immediately became a premanent fixture in the team in the last pre-war season and for seven post-war seasons.

In addition to 306 League and Cup appearances for County, he also made 34 appearances for Stockport in wartime football.

A very agile goalkeeper, his repuation was made by outstanding displays against Barnsley in his first season.

His resistance helped County win an FA Cup third round tie at Oakwell and when the two sides met again in a League clash in April 1939, he gave a near miraculous display to ensure Duggie Reid's solitary hoal won the match against the Third Division leaders (and subsequent champions).

Almost ten years later, Bowles' agility was still evident when he not only saved two penalties from York City's captain and penalty-kick expert Harry Brigham at Bootham Crescent in 1948-49, but repeated the feat in the same fixture the following year.

'Tiger' Bowles was 38 when he played his last first-team game in January 1953 before moving to non-league Winsford United.

When his football career was over, he initially remained in the Stockport area as a licensee in Romiley before moving on to run an off-license in Hartley Wintney, Hampshire.

He then returned to the Vale of Evesham near to his birthplace.
 
Thanks to Stockport County - A Complete Record by Peter Freeman with assistance from Richard Harnwell.