John Rowlands made a single appearance for Exeter City when on loan from Torquay United in February 1969. He also played for a number of other clubs including Stockport, Barrow, Crewe, Workington and Hartlepool as well as having several spells in the United States. Whilst with Exeter he also appeared in a Devon Bowl game against Plymouth Argyle. 

Originally on the books at Liverpool, and a regular in the ‘A’ side, a back injury forced John to give up football for several seasons before making a return with Marine in 1966. Earning his first professional contract with Mansfield Town in October 1967, where he played 13 league games scoring three goals, he then signed for Torquay United in June 1968 for whom he eventually netted four times in 18 league outings.

With future Grecian Fred Binney also struggling to break into the first-team at Plainmoor, John moved to St James’ Park on loan in January 1969 and played in the 2-1 defeat at Newport County. Also appearing for City at Plymouth Argyle in the Devon Professional Bowl, he made no further appearances and- on his release from Torquay - went to South Africa where he played for Cape Town City. 

Moving back to England in the summer of 1969, John signed for Stockport County before moves to Barrow, Workington and - in November 1973 - Crewe Alexandra. After playing in Seattle in the United States, John’s final league club was Hartlepool United before a second stint in America with the Oakland Stompers.