Tommy Rowe

Tommy Rowe
Rowe playing for Peterborough United in 2011
Personal information
Full name Thomas Malcolm Rowe
Date of birth (1988-09-24) 24 September 1988 (age 38)
Place of birth Wythenshawe, England
Height 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Positions
Team information
Current team
 Manchester United
Number 47
Youth career
2002–2003 Manchester United
2003–2007 Stockport County
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2007–2009 Stockport County 72 (13)
2009–2014 Peterborough United 175 (23)
2014–2016 Wolverhampton Wanderers 17 (0)
2015 → Scunthorpe United (loan) 14 (1)
2016 → Doncaster Rovers (loan) 10 (3)
2016–2019 Doncaster Rovers 118 (22)
2019–2021 Bristol City 60 (3)
2021–2024 Doncaster Rovers 107 (13)
2024–2025 Manchester United 0 (0)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 13:58, 20 May 2024 (UTC)

Thomas Malcolm Rowe (born 24 September 1988) is a retired English professional footballer who primarily played as a winger. He is now a coach for the Manchester United academy.

Career

Stockport County

Rowe was born in Wythenshawe, Manchester, and started his career as a boy with Manchester United in 2002. He joined the Stockport County youth system the following year, and made his first-team debut as an 81st-minute substitute in their 4–1 defeat away at Watford in the FA Cup third round in January 2007. He scored his first goal for Stockport against Notts County at Edgeley Park in February 2008, and followed this up with a hat-trick at Rotherham United a few days later, which prompted Stockport County manager Jim Gannon to say, "Physically, he is a supreme athlete with Premier League fitness and technically he is excellent. What an accomplished performance – the only thing is maybe the England scouts won't come to look at him. I've said it to him personally, I think he has a great future." Rowe made 30 appearances in the 2007–08 season, including all the playoff games, as Stockport won promotion to League One. At the end of the season, Rowe won the club's Young Player of the Year Award.

He made a further 50 appearances for Stockport in the 2008–09 season.

Peterborough United

After Stockport went into administration at the end of April 2009, the administrators sold Rowe to raise necessary funding for the club. Rowe joined League One side Peterborough United for £225,000 on a three-year contract in May 2009. He scored his first goal for Peterborough in a 4–0 win away at Wycombe in the first round of the League Cup at the beginning of the 2009–10 season. After becoming a regular player in the Peterborough team, Rowe ended the 2010/11 campaign by scoring the opening goal at a 3–0 win over Huddersfield Town in the League One play-off final as they won promotion to the Football League Championship.

Rowe was appointed Peterborough's captain for the 2012–13 season but the team ended up suffering relegation despite reaching 54 points. He remained with the Posh for a further season back in League One, during which he lifted the Football League Trophy after a 3–1 win over Chesterfield. However, following a play-off defeat to Leyton Orient, Rowe was named as one of a series of players who would not be offered a new contract. In total he made 199 appearances for the club, scoring 27 times.

Wolverhampton Wanderers

Out of contract at Peterborough, Rowe signed a two-year deal on 3 June 2014 with newly promoted Championship side Wolverhampton Wanderers. After overcoming a broken toe sustained during pre-season, he made his club debut on 30 August 2014 as a substitute in a 3–1 win against Blackburn. Rowe failed to establish himself in Wolves' first team, primarily appearing only as a substitute before breaking a bone in his foot on Boxing Day 2014 and undergoing surgery. A recurrence of the problem meant he failed to play again during the season.

Rowe made a solitary League Cup appearance for Wolves during the start of the 2015–16 campaign before being loaned out in October to League One Scunthorpe United for several months.

At the conclusion of the season his parent club announced they would not be renewing Rowe's contract. He had made 18 appearances for the club over two years.

Doncaster Rovers

After making three appearances for his parent club in late February 2016, he was again loaned out, joining Doncaster Rovers on loan until the end of the season linking up with former manager Darren Ferguson. He made his début later on that day in a 2–1 home defeat to his former club Peterborough United but was unable to stop the team being relegated. On 18 May 2016, Rowe signed a permanent 3-year deal at League Two Side Doncaster Rovers, becoming Ferguson's first summer signing.

Rowe scored in his permanent debut in a 3-2 loss against Accrington Stanley.

On 8 April 2017, Rowe scored the winning goal against Mansfield Town, securing Doncaster's automatic promotion from League Two in the 2016–17 season. Doncaster finished third in the table with 87 points, narrowly missing out on the league title by one point to Portsmouth. The club had remained in contention for the title until the final day of the season. Rowe scored 13 goals in 47 appearances in for Doncaster.

Following Doncaster's promotion to League One, Rowe retained his place in the side during the 2017–18 season. On 3 December 2017, Doncaster faced local rivals and Rowe's former club, Scunthorpe United, in the second round of the FA Cup at the Keepmoat Stadium. Rowe scored twice as Doncaster recorded a 3–0 victory.

He made 40 appearances in League One, scoring four goals, and was involved in 46 matches across all competitions.

During the 2018–19 season, Doncaster qualified for the League One play-offs after finishing sixth in the table. In the second leg of the semi-final against Charlton Athletic at The Valley, Rowe scored Doncaster's opening goal. The match finished 3–2 to Doncaster after extra time, leaving the tie level at 4–4 on aggregate and forcing a penalty shoot-out. Rowe took Doncaster's fifth penalty but missed, allowing Charlton to win the shoot-out 4–3 and progress to the play-off final..

He was offered a new contract by Doncaster at the end of the 2018–19 season.

Bristol City

On 1 July 2019 Rowe signed a two-year contract with Championship side Bristol City.

On 14 May 2021, Rowe left Bristol City due to his contract expiring.

Return to Doncaster Rovers

On 23 June 2021, it was announced that Rowe had rejoined Doncaster Rovers. On 5 February 2022, Rowe scored the winner against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.

Rowe made 43 league appearances and scoring seven goals. He was also Doncaster's leading goal scorer in all competitions, with eight goals. Despite Rowe's contribution, Doncaster endured a difficult campaign and finished 22nd in League One, resulting in relegation to League Two. Rowe was subsequently named the club's Player of the Year for the 2021–22 season.

On 9 June 2022, Rowe signed a new two-year contract with Doncaster. During the 2022–23 season, Rowe was used in a variety of positions as Doncaster dealt with changes to their squad. Although primarily a midfielder by this stage of his career, he was deployed at left-back and centre-back, as well as in midfield. After a poor season, Doncaster finished in 18th place.

On 30 August 2023, Doncaster Rovers faced Everton in the second round of the EFL Cup. Rowe delivered a cross for Joe Ironside, who headed the ball into the net to give Doncaster a 1–0 lead. Everton later scored twice to win the match 2–1.

The final months of the 2023–24 season saw Doncaster produce a dramatic turnaround in form. After being in 20th place in League Two in early March, the club embarked on a run of ten consecutive league victories, which lifted them into the play-off positions and equalled the club record for consecutive league wins.

One of the most significant victories came against fellow play-off contenders Barrow on 20 April 2024. With Doncaster's promotion play-off hopes still in the balance, the match was effectively a must-win fixture in their pursuit of a top-seven finish. After the first half, Doncaster were 2-0 down, but after 2nd half goals from Joe Ironside and Hakeeb Adelakun Doncaster were level. Rowe crossed the ball into the penalty area in the 88th minute, with Harrison Biggins heading it into the net to put Doncaster 3–2 ahead. Doncaster went on to win 4–2.

Doncaster finished fifth in League Two and faced Crewe Alexandra in the play-off semi-finals. Rowe started the second leg at the Eco-Power Stadium, where Crewe won a shoot-out 4–3, ending Doncaster's promotion hopes. The match was Rowe's final appearance for the club.

On 15 May 2024, the club announced he would be released in the summer once his contract expired.

Return to Manchester United

After featuring in several Premier League 2 games, Rowe returned to Manchester United more than two decades after leaving, taking up a player-coach role with the academy team.

Rowe played in the 2024–25 EFL Trophy, wearing the number 47. He retired after the 2024-25 season to take up a coaching role with the academy.

Personal life

Tommy's younger brother, Danny, is also a professional footballer.

Career statistics

As of match played 12 November 2024
Club statistics
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Stockport County 2006–07 League Two 4010000050
2007–08 League Two 246100050306
2008–09 League One 447401010507
Total 72136010608513
Peterborough United 2009–10 Championship 3220031—353
2010–11 League One 355203031436
2011–12 Championship 4341020—464
2012–13 Championship 3151000—325
2013–14 League One 347113150439
Total 17523511128119927
Wolverhampton Wanderers 2014–15 Championship 1400000—140
2015–16 Championship 300010—40
Total 170001000180
Scunthorpe United 2015–16 League One 141000000141
Doncaster Rovers 2015–16 League One 103000000103
2016–17 League Two 46130010004713
2017–18 League One 404343110479
2018–19 League One 325401031406
Total 1282574514114431
Bristol City 2019–20 Championship 2921010—312
2020–21 Championship 3112030—361
Total 6033040—673
Doncaster Rovers 2021–22 League One 437211040508
2022–23 League Two 282000000241
2023–24 League Two 38 4 1 0 2 0
Total 678211040749
Manchester United U21 2024–25 — ———2020
Career totals 5337323623324260384
  1. ↑ Two appearances in Football League Trophy, three in Football League Two play-offs.
  2. 1 2 3 Appearance(s) in Football League/EFL Trophy
  3. ↑ Appearances in Football League One play-offs
  4. ↑ Three appearances in Football League Trophy, two in Football League One play-offs.
  5. ↑ One appearance in EFL Trophy, two in EFL League One play-offs

Honours

Stockport County

Peterborough United

Individual

References

  1. ↑ "Notification of shirt numbers: Bristol City" (PDF). English Football League. p. 13. Retrieved 19 September 2020.
  2. 1 2 Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2008). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2008–09. Mainstream. ISBN 978-1-84596-324-8.
  3. 1 2 "Career History". Up The Posh!. Archived from the original on 6 June 2014. Retrieved 17 February 2012.
  4. ↑ "Watford 4–1 Stockport". BBC Sport. 6 January 2007. Retrieved 28 March 2008.
  5. ↑ "Stockport 1–1 Notts County". BBC Sport. 9 February 2008. Retrieved 28 March 2008.
  6. ↑ "Rotherham 1–4 Stockport". BBC Sport. 13 February 2008. Retrieved 28 March 2008.
  7. ↑ "Gannon tips Rowe to reach summit". BBC Sport. 13 February 2008. Retrieved 28 March 2008.
  8. ↑ "Games played by Tommy Rowe in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Retrieved 20 June 2009.
  9. ↑ Fletcher, Paul (26 May 2008). "Stockport 3–2 Rochdale". BBC Sport. Retrieved 20 June 2009.
  10. ↑ "Tommy Rowe (Midfielder)". Manchester Evening News. 12 December 2008. Retrieved 20 June 2009. His consistent performances throughout the 2007–08 season led to him cementing his place as first-choice left-winger as well as landing him County's Young Player of the Year Award.
  11. ↑ "Games played by Tommy Rowe in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Retrieved 20 June 2009.
  12. ↑ "Stockport go into administration". BBC Sport. 30 April 2009. Retrieved 20 June 2009.
  13. ↑ "Official statement". Stockport County FC. 12 May 2009. Archived from the original on 23 July 2011. Retrieved 20 June 2009. The sale of SCFC player Thomas Malcolm, "Tommy", Rowe to Peterborough United Football Club was agreed late yesterday, Monday 11 May. Given the club's perilous financial position this sale has been necessary to raise the funds which will be required to pay ongoing critical trading costs, including wages.
  14. ↑ "Posh swoop for Rowe". Sky Sports. 12 May 2009. Retrieved 12 May 2009.
  15. ↑ "Posh sign Stockport winger Rowe". BBC Sport. 12 May 2009. Retrieved 20 June 2009.
  16. ↑ "Tommy Rowe among five released". BBC Sport. 15 May 2014.
  17. ↑ "Peterborough captain Tommy Rowe moves to Molineux". BBC Sport. 3 June 2014.
  18. ↑ "Injured Tommy Rowe in time out for Wolves". Express & Star. 14 July 2014. Archived from the original on 7 April 2023. Retrieved 21 March 2018.
  19. ↑ "Wolves 3–1 Blackburn". BBC Sport. 30 August 2014.
  20. ↑ "Wolves: Tommy Rowe suffers injury recurrence". Birmingham Mail. 26 March 2015.
  21. ↑ "Tommy Rowe: Wolves midfielder joins Scunthorpe United on loan". BBC Sport. 2 October 2015.
  22. ↑ "Contract decisions revealed". Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. 9 May 2016. Archived from the original on 9 May 2016.
  23. ↑ "Tommy Rowe: Doncaster Rovers sign Wolves midfielder on loan". BBC Sport. 19 March 2016. Retrieved 20 April 2018.
  24. ↑ "Doncaster 1-2 Peterborough: Santos pops up in added time". Sky Sports. Retrieved 26 March 2016.
  25. ↑ "Forever Rowe-vers".
  26. ↑ "Accrington Stanley 3-2 Doncaster Rovers". BBC Sport. 6 August 2016. Retrieved 2 October 2026.
  27. ↑ "League Two: Pools relegated, Pompey champions as it happened". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2 October 2026.
  28. ↑ "Tommy Rowe | Football Stats | Man Utd U21 | Season 2016/2017 | Soccer Base". www.soccerbase.com. Retrieved 2 October 2026.
  29. ↑ "Doncaster Rovers 3-0 Scunthorpe United". BBC Sport. 3 December 2017. Retrieved 2 October 2026.
  30. ↑ "Tommy Rowe | Football Stats | Man Utd U21 | Season 2017/2018 | Soccer Base". www.soccerbase.com. Retrieved 2 October 2026.
  31. ↑ www.espn.co.uk https://www.espn.co.uk/football/match/_/gameId/539804/doncaster-rovers-charlton-athletic. Retrieved 2 October 2026. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  32. ↑ "Doncaster Rovers: Tommy Rowe, Andy Butler & Danny Andrew offered new deals". BBC Sport. 22 May 2019. Retrieved 22 May 2019.
  33. ↑ "City sign Rowe and Gilmartin". Bristol City. July 2019. Retrieved 2 July 2019.
  34. ↑ "Sunderland 1-2 Doncaster Rovers". BBC Sport. 5 February 2022. Retrieved 2 October 2026.
  35. ↑ "Doncaster Rovers midfielder Tommy Rowe honoured at Star Football Awards". Doncaster Free Press. 27 April 2022. Retrieved 2 October 2026.
  36. ↑ "Tommy Rowe: Doncaster Rovers midfielder signs new two-year contract". BBC Sport. 9 June 2022. Retrieved 2 October 2026.
  37. ↑ "Barrow vs Doncaster - live score, predicted lineups and H2H stats". FotMob. Retrieved 2 October 2026.
  38. ↑ "Tommy Rowe's view on the controversial decision to keep playing him at left-back". Doncaster Free Press. 15 September 2022. Retrieved 2 October 2026.
  39. ↑ "TNT Sports is not available in your region". www.tntsports.co.uk. Retrieved 2 October 2026.
  40. ↑ "Doncaster Rovers 1-2 Everton: Beto and Arnaut Danjuma score as Everton avoid EFL Cup upset". BBC Sport. 30 August 2023. Retrieved 2 October 2026.
  41. ↑ "Doncaster close on League Two playoffs after remarkable 10-game winning run". The Straits Times. 24 April 2024. ISSN 0585-3923. Retrieved 2 October 2026.
  42. ↑ Text, Live. "Doncaster Rovers v Barrow". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2 October 2026.
  43. ↑ Cartwright, Live ReportingPhil. "Crewe beat Doncaster in shootout to make play-off final". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2 October 2026.
  44. ↑ "Tommy Rowe: Doncaster midfielder one of seven released by club". BBC Sport. 15 May 2024. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
  45. ↑ Robinson, Harry (2 September 2024). "Academy Weekly: Successful window ends". ManUtd.com. Manchester United. Retrieved 3 September 2024.
  46. ↑ Railston, Steven (3 September 2024). "Why a 35-year-old who last played for Doncaster has joined Man United". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 3 September 2024.
  47. ↑ "Stockport 2006/2007 player appearances". Soccerbase. Retrieved 2 February 2013.
  48. ↑ "Stockport 2007/2008 player appearances". Soccerbase. Retrieved 2 February 2013.
  49. ↑ "Stockport 2008/2009 player appearances". Soccerbase. Retrieved 2 February 2013.
  50. ↑ "Peterborough 2009/2010 player appearances". Soccerbase. Retrieved 2 February 2013.
  51. ↑ "Peterborough 2010/2011 player appearances". Soccerbase. Retrieved 2 February 2013.
  52. ↑ "Games played by Tommy Rowe in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 2 February 2013.
  53. ↑ "Peterborough 2012/2013 player appearances". Soccerbase. Retrieved 2 February 2013.
  54. ↑ "Peterborough 2013/2014 player appearances". Soccerbase. Retrieved 2 February 2013.
  55. ↑ "Wolves 2014/2015 player appearances". Soccerbase. Retrieved 25 September 2014.
  56. ↑ "Wolves 2015/16 player appearances". Soccerbase. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  57. ↑ "Scunthorpe United 2015/16 player appearances". Soccerbase. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  58. ↑ "Doncaster Rovers 2015/16 player appearances". Soccerbase. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  59. ↑ "Games played by Tommy Rowe in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 September 2017.
  60. ↑ "Games played by Tommy Rowe in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 22 May 2019.
  61. ↑ "Games played by Tommy Rowe in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 24 May 2019.
  62. ↑ "Games played by Tommy Rowe in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 19 August 2019.
  63. ↑ "Games played by Tommy Rowe in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 21 December 2020.
  64. ↑ "Tommy Rowe | Football Stats | Doncaster Rovers | Season 2021/2022 | Soccer Base". soccerbase.com. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
  65. ↑ "Tommy Rowe | Football Stats | Doncaster Rovers | Season 2022/2023 | Soccer Base". soccerbase.com. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
  66. ↑ "Tommy Rowe | Football Stats | Man Utd U21 | Season 2023/2024 | Soccer Base". www.soccerbase.com. Retrieved 1 October 2026.
  67. ↑ "Games played by Tommy Rowe in 2024/2025". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
  68. ↑ Fletcher, Paul (26 May 2008). "Stockport 3–2 Rochdale". BBC Sport. Retrieved 1 June 2025.
  69. ↑ Begley, Emlyn (29 May 2011). "Huddersfield Town 0–3 Peterborough United". BBC Sport. Retrieved 26 November 2025.
  70. ↑ "Rowe determined to repay faith of supporters after new deal". doncasterroversfc.co.uk. Doncaster Rovers. 9 June 2022. Retrieved 7 August 2022.