Bowman: Robert Alexander (Rob)

1992-1997 (Leeds Player Details)(Player Details)

Defender

Born: Durham: 21-11-1975

Debut v Wimbledon (a) (substitute): 06-02-1993

6’1” 11st 12lb (1995)

Bowman had an illustrious Schoolboy and Youth career. He was part of the Manchester United school of excellence as a thirteen and fourteen year old, before being similarly connected to Newcastle United and then on to Leeds United who he joined as a schoolboy in 1989. He became an YTS player before turning professional in November 1992. He had captained the Durham Under-Sixteen team and represented the city in the triple jump. He appeared from nowhere to debut for Leeds at the age of seventeen years and seventy-seven days when he substituted for David Rocastle at Wimbledon in February 1993. Two days later he made his full debut against Manchester United at Elland Road and subdued Welsh winger Ryan Giggs in the goal-less draw. He played the next two games against Oldham Athletic and Tottenham Hotspur in that season, but is better remembered as a member of the Leeds team that lifted the F.A. Youth Cup, twice beating Manchester United in the two-legged final. He was called up for the England Under-Eighteen team, which won the European Youth Cup that year. Like many other Leeds Youth Internationals of that era, he did not become a first team regular, and, in fact, apart from a couple of games in 1996 and a surprise call up against PSV Eindhoven in the UEFA Cup in October 1995, he never made the top grade again. He left for Rotherham United on a free in February 1997, where he made thirteen League appearances, and later moved to Carlisle United in August 1997, where he stayed until being released in May 2000 and scored twice in forty-six League appearances, which included four as a substitute, he also started two F.A. Cup and two other games. He later had spells with Bohemians in Ireland in 2000 and English Non-League teams Gateshead, from December 2000 and Brandon United in 2002, Coxhoe Athletic in 2004 and Shildon from August 2005.