John Anthony Lowey (7 March 1958 – 5 August 2019) was an English footballer who played as a midfielder. Aside from three seasons in the North American Soccer League, one in the American Soccer League and one in Australia, Lowey spent the majority of his career in the Football League Second Division with Blackburn Rovers in England.
Career Early career Lowey began his career in the youth system of Manchester United, signing as a professional in March 1975 after three years of schoolboy terms and apprenticeship. Searching for first-team opportunities, in 1976 Lowey joined the Chicago Sting of the North American Soccer League in 1976 and claimed five goals and seven assists from 17 games. He returned to the Chicago Sting for part of the 1977 season, but only made five appearances. He spent July to August 1977 with Port Vale, spent September as a non-contract player at Blackburn Rovers, and then returned to Port Vale the next month. He returned to the US in 1978. He signed with the California Sunshine in the American Soccer League, before going on to score 10 goals in 21 games for the Sunshine.
Sheffield Wednesday He returned to England to make his debut for Sheffield Wednesday on 17 October 1978. He went on to score five goals from 36 league and FA Cup matches in the 1978–79 season, including all five FA Cup games with Arsenal. However, he was limited to just 13 appearances in the 1979–80 season as manager Jack Charlton led the club to promotion out of the Third Division. He left Hillsborough after making his final appearance for the "Owls" in the League Cup on 26 August 1980.
Blackburn Rovers He signed with Blackburn Rovers in November 1980, who were now managed by Howard Kendall, for a fee of £25,000. At first he was a back-up striker, with Norman Bell preferred in the starting eleven. He went on to find success as a left-sided midfielder, forming a strong partnership with the creative Simon Barker. He was an ever-present during the 1983–84 campaign. He was dropped for Colin Randell in the 1984–85 season, before returning to favour during the second half of the 1985–86 campaign.
Later career He went on to play for Wigan Athletic, Chesterfield (on loan), York City (on loan), Preston North End, Chester City, and Brisbane Lions.
Style of play Lowey was a very accurate corner kick taker.
Later life After retiring as a player, Lowey lived the rest of his life in Australia and went on to own a Beauty Therapy training school and a licensed securities company. He died on 5 August 2019, leaving behind wife Mandy and son Adam.
Career statistics + Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueFA CupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsManchester United1975–76First Division00000000Port Vale1977–78Third Division00000000Blackburn Rovers1977–78Second Division00000000Chicago Sting1976NASL175——1751977NASL50——50Total225––––225California Sunshine1978ASL2110——2110Sheffield Wednesday1978–79Third Division29372003651979–80Third Division13100001311980–81Second Division00001010Total4247210506Blackburn Rovers1980–81Second Division19200001921981–82Second Division14100311721982–83Second Division22500002251983–84Second Division42030204701984–85Second Division21300202331985–86Second Division2333120284Total14114619115616Wigan Athletic1986–87Third Division30001040Chesterfield (loan)1986–87Third Division20002040York City (loan)1986–87Third Division60000060Preston North End1987–88Third Division41003071Chester City1987–88Third Division90000090Career total2503413316127938
Honours Sheffield Wednesday Football League Third Division third-place promotion: 1979–80
References