Vowles Charlie Image 1 Exeter City 1922

Description

Bedminster, Bristol born inside left or centre forward Charlie Vowles had played football for the Army during the First World War. He spent five years stationed in India serving with The 21st Lancers and Signals, and he assisted the latter to win the All India Football Shield. Whilst serving in India with the 21st Lancers he took part in the last cavalry charge made by the British Army.

Vowles signed for his first professional club, Exeter City, in August 1920 ahead of their inaugural season in the Third Division, making his Football League debut in their first League match, a 3-0 win over Brentford in which Vowles scored the second goal. By the end of 1920-21 Vowles was the club’s joint top scorer in the League with 9 goals, and he was again the club’s top scorer in 1921-22 with 11 goals, but he lost his place in December 1922 and was released the same month to join non league club Boston Town after 20 goals in 68 appearances for The Grecians.

After a trial with Bath City in 1924, he returned to Football League action, signing for Barrow in June 1924, netting 16 goals in 46 matches for The Bluebird, his total again making him their leading goalscorer, a tally that included a hat-trick in an FA Cup win over Wrexham in December 1924. But his stay at Holker Street lasted just a single season and he transferred to Midland League club Scunthorpe & Lindsey United in August 1925, and he subsequently signed for Newark Town in June 1926, moving on to Ilkeston Town in December 1926, his last recorded club before his eventual retirement.