Barry Rowan, previously best-known for his time at Millwall, played for Exeter City in the early 1970s having joined the club from Plymouth Argyle. He later appeared for Poole Town having also played in the United States and South Africa during his career. 

Originally on the books at Watford as an amateur, Barry  earned his first professional contract in October 1960 when he signed for Brentford. Never having a league outing whlst at Griffin Park, he moved to Dover in the summer of 1961 before having another crack at professional football when he joined Millwall in July 1964 where he was to feature in 72 matches (13 goals). After a spell playing in the United States with Oakland Clippers (in the summer of 1967) and Detroit Cougars (1968), Barry returned to England to link up with Colchester United in November 1968. He only played two league matches for the Essex side before heading to Durban United in South Africa ahead of signing for Reading in August 1969 where he played just one league game. Soon signing for Plymouth Argyle, he stayed until the end of the season scoring one goal in ten league matches.

Barry subsequently signed for Exeter City in July 1970 and made his debut against Peterborough United on 29 August when he scored in the 3-2 home win. Thereafter he played in the majority of games as he finished on 38 league starts (plus two substitute appearances) for the season whilst scoring on six occasions.

Playing summer football for Dallas Tornado, Barry wasn't able to make his first appearance of the 1971/72 season until the fifth game of the season - another 3-2 home win over Peterborough United - as he made a further 34 league appearances and upped his strike rate to eight goals for the season.

Finishing the season slightly early to play for Toronto Metros, but retained for a third season, Barry made just seven league appearances in 1972/73 prior to being released on a free transfer to join Poole Town before later appearing for Tooting and Mitcham whilst working as a computer programmer in Kingston-upon-Thames.