John Fowler (footballer born 1933)
Encyclopedia
John Fowler was a former professional footballer for Colchester United
.
, Edinburgh
, Scotland
. In his early days he played for junior side Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic
during which time he played for Scotland
against England
at Middlesbrough
.
in 1955. Astute purchases, all three gave lengthy service to the club. Fowler made his debut along with Hill on 20 August 1955 in a goalless draw away to Exeter City. Initially an inside left, he switched to left back later that season.
In thirteen seasons at Layer Road
Fowler made 442 appearances, including one as substitute, 21 FA Cup
matches and 7 League Cup
matches and scored five goals. Fowler still holds sixth place in Colchester's all-time list of long serving players and fifth on the League appearances list and made the number 3 shirt his own for the majority of his career, being an integral part of the promotion sides of 1962
and 1966
.
Between 1956–1963 Fowler missed only eight matches, becoming known as "Mr Reliable". He was an ever-present during the 1957–58, 1959–60, 1961–62 and 1962–63 seasons and only missed one game during 1960–61.
Although he left the club at the end of the 1965–66 season, Fowler returned briefly for three games during 1967–68, his final appearance occurring on November 13, 1967 at home to Barrow.
. He then moved on to Eastern Gas and finally onto Severalls Athletic where he helped to win the East Essex League Knockout Cup against Stanway
.
John was also a regular member of Peter Wright's
Ex-Colchester United XI.
Playing against Layer Fox, John collapsed and died aged just 42, leaving behind daughter Karen, three-year-old son Scott and wife Shirley.
Previous winners:
1976–77 Rose & Crown
1977–78 Elmstead Athletic
1978–79 Moler
1979–80 Elmstead Athletic
1980–81 Severalls
1981–82 Telecomms
1982–83 Lexden Sun
1983–84 Brantham Colts
1984–85 Colchester Gaslights
1985–86 Lexden Sun
1986–87 Competition declared void
1987–88 Dog & Pheasant
1988–89 Colchester Gaslights
1989–90 Colchester Gaslights
1990–91 Tiptree Monarchs
1991–92 Royal London
1992–93 AFC Pegasus
1993–94 Arena
1994–95 Mercian
1995–96 Colchester Gaslights
1996–97 Colchester Gaslights
1997–98 Riverside
1998–99 Arena
1999–2000 Gas Recreation
2000–01 AFC Pegasus
2001–02 Brooklands
2002–03 Gas Recreation
2003–04 AFC Pegasus
2004–05 AFC Pegasus
2005–06 Bayern Monkwick
2006–07 Real BTS
2007–08 Brightlingsea Regent
2008–09 Prettygate
2009–10 Elmstead Athletic
Colchester United F.C.
Colchester United Football Club is an English football club based in Colchester. The club was formed in 1937, and briefly shared their old Layer Road home with now defunct side Colchester Town who had previously used the ground from 1910....
.
Early career
Fowler was born in LeithLeith
-South Leith v. North Leith:Up until the late 16th century Leith , comprised two separate towns on either side of the river....
, Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
. In his early days he played for junior side Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic
Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic F.C.
Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic F.C. are a Scottish junior football club from the town of Bonnyrigg, Midlothian. Formed in 1890 and nicknamed the Rose, they play in the Scottish Junior Football Association's East Region Super League, in which they finished as runners-up in the 2006–07 season, and...
during which time he played for Scotland
Scotland national football team
The Scotland national football team represents Scotland in international football and is controlled by the Scottish Football Association. Scotland are the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside England, whom they played in the world's first international football match in 1872...
against England
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
at Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough F.C.
Middlesbrough Football Club , also known as Boro, are an English football club based in Middlesbrough, who play in the Football League Championship. Formed in 1876, they have played at the Riverside Stadium since August 1995, their third ground since turning professional in 1889...
.
Colchester United
Fowler was one of three players brought down from Scotland to Colchester United along with Sammy McLeod and Bobby Hill from Easthouses Lily by manager Benny FentonBenny Fenton
Benjamin Robert Vincent Fenton was an English professional football player and manager.-Playing career:Fenton signed for Colchester Town in 1934, moving to West Ham United a year later...
in 1955. Astute purchases, all three gave lengthy service to the club. Fowler made his debut along with Hill on 20 August 1955 in a goalless draw away to Exeter City. Initially an inside left, he switched to left back later that season.
In thirteen seasons at Layer Road
Layer Road
Layer Road was a Football League stadium in Colchester, England. It was only used for football matches and was the home ground of Colchester United before being replaced by the Weston Homes Community Stadium. The stadium held spectators and was built in 1907, originally for use by Colchester Town...
Fowler made 442 appearances, including one as substitute, 21 FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
matches and 7 League Cup
Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
matches and scored five goals. Fowler still holds sixth place in Colchester's all-time list of long serving players and fifth on the League appearances list and made the number 3 shirt his own for the majority of his career, being an integral part of the promotion sides of 1962
1961–62 Colchester United F.C. season
The 1961–62 season was Colchester United's first season in the Football League Fourth Division after suffering their first ever relegation the previous season...
and 1966
1965–66 Colchester United F.C. season
The 1965–66 season was Colchester United's first season back in the Football League Fourth Division after spending three consecutive seasons in the Football League Third Division...
.
Between 1956–1963 Fowler missed only eight matches, becoming known as "Mr Reliable". He was an ever-present during the 1957–58, 1959–60, 1961–62 and 1962–63 seasons and only missed one game during 1960–61.
Although he left the club at the end of the 1965–66 season, Fowler returned briefly for three games during 1967–68, his final appearance occurring on November 13, 1967 at home to Barrow.
Retirement and Death
After leaving Colchester United, John became player-manager at Heybridge SwiftsHeybridge Swifts F.C.
Heybridge Swifts are a non-league football club based in Heybridge, near Maldon, Essex. They were established in 1880 and were founding members of the Essex Senior League in 1971...
. He then moved on to Eastern Gas and finally onto Severalls Athletic where he helped to win the East Essex League Knockout Cup against Stanway
Stanway Rovers F.C.
Stanway Rovers F.C. is an English football club based in Stanway, Essex. They are currently in the Premier Division of the Eastern Counties League, and play at the Hawthorns.-History:...
.
John was also a regular member of Peter Wright's
Peter Wright (footballer)
Peter Brooke Wright is an English former footballer who played for Colchester United from 1951 until 1964.A dashing left-winger, who loved to cut in from the byeline and have a crack at goal, Wright was a £15,000 target of Birmingham City in October 1957 and a key member of the U's side that held...
Ex-Colchester United XI.
Playing against Layer Fox, John collapsed and died aged just 42, leaving behind daughter Karen, three-year-old son Scott and wife Shirley.
The John Fowler Memorial Cup
This is played for each season by teams in the Colchester & District Sunday League.Previous winners:
1976–77 Rose & Crown
1977–78 Elmstead Athletic
1978–79 Moler
1979–80 Elmstead Athletic
1980–81 Severalls
1981–82 Telecomms
1982–83 Lexden Sun
1983–84 Brantham Colts
1984–85 Colchester Gaslights
1985–86 Lexden Sun
1986–87 Competition declared void
1987–88 Dog & Pheasant
1988–89 Colchester Gaslights
1989–90 Colchester Gaslights
1990–91 Tiptree Monarchs
1991–92 Royal London
1992–93 AFC Pegasus
1993–94 Arena
1994–95 Mercian
1995–96 Colchester Gaslights
1996–97 Colchester Gaslights
1997–98 Riverside
1998–99 Arena
1999–2000 Gas Recreation
2000–01 AFC Pegasus
2001–02 Brooklands
2002–03 Gas Recreation
2003–04 AFC Pegasus
2004–05 AFC Pegasus
2005–06 Bayern Monkwick
2006–07 Real BTS
2007–08 Brightlingsea Regent
2008–09 Prettygate
2009–10 Elmstead Athletic