Stan Bowles

[VindePays2009]

Looking beyond the traditional grouses about the Alex's 'can't pay, won't pay' policy in signing new players, or incentivising ones who we could have held on to, it's sad to see on this site's headlines that Stan Bowles is suffering from Alzheimer's disease.

He played for the Alex in 1970-1971, with a strike rate of 0.35 goals per game, before going to Carlisle, where he was marginally more prolific, after which, of course, it was QPR. His cousin Paul was a central defender for the Alex.

Those were the days, my friend, we thought they'd never end. Does anybody have memories of remarkable goals or bits of cheek by the player?

[NEVTHEDEV]

What I do know he got payed £30 a week,by the Alex,so the wages hav`nt gone up that much.

[CrewieFlyboy]

Although not old enough to remember Stan playing for the Alex, a tale my Dad always used to tell me about him, was the day it was announced that he was leaving for Carlisle the bookie that used to be behind the Gresty Road End came over the road demanding to see the then chairman Norman Rowlinson, as Stan was his best customer. Not sure how much truth there is in the story or if it’s just a bit of urban myth. But Stan was well known for his gambling habit.

Such a shame for anybody to have to suffer such a mentally debilitating illness and wish Stan and his family all the best

[all]

In my view Stan Bowles is the most talented player to pull on an Alex shirt since I started to follow the Alex back in 1960

[ALEXKNOWALL]

Correct - a fabulous talent and remember he played in midfield for the Alex

A couple of memories / facts which I hope are correct

The Alex scored a high number of goals and had few bookings that year

Consequently we won £30k to spend on ground improvements as runners up in the "Ford Sporting League" and qualified for the "Watney Cup"

The £30k replaced the awful scaffolding cover on the pop side and I believe some of the current stand roof may still come from that work

Memorable game was a 3-3 draw against high flying Bournemouth (Google their strikers Ted MacDougall and Phil Boyer) This featured a right foot volley from Stan at the GRE from a corner out on the left

Before he left early the following season the Alex (who finished bottom of the League) had recorded a 3-2 win at eventual champions Grimsby - it was their only defeat at home and Stan played a key part