Ken Gowers

[BadlyOverdrawnBoy]

Another legend no longer with us.

http://www.swintonlionsrlfc.com/news/389

[Futtocks]

I spotted that on Twitter. Well before my time, but a man with a distinguished career.

[JohnM]

For those who never saw him play, think Jonathan Davies playing style plus fearless last-man "proper" tackling plus great place kicking. Great balance with the ball in his hand, dancing, skipping, weaving runs from fullback, flying tackles as llast lind of defence. A delight to watch. 

[owfener]

RIP Kenny. A real gentleman.

A true great and natural, who started his career as a brilliant scrum half..... ending it there, too. 

 

[Oxford]

Although I am elsewhere now when losing someone like Ken Gowers I'll always come back because players like him and the Swinton sides make my memories sing.

RIP Ken thanks for everything.

[Wiltshire Warrior Dragon]

I recall the Swinton side of the early 'sixties being a very fine one.  I remember Gowers being at fullback then; I didn't realise he had played at no 7 (so thanks for pointing that out, owfener) 

Having said that, I do remember his being beaten for pace by Trevor Lake, Wigan's Rhodesian winger, in a cup semi-final at St Helens.  Lake cut in from the wing and, running diagonally for the goal line, outpaced Gowers who, I suspect, had been forced too close to the touchline by a colleague's defensive error.  I think that was the year that Wigan went on to beat Hunslet at Wembley.

RIP, Ken - a great player in a great team.

[Gerrumonside ref]

RIP Ken Gowers

[johnh1]

Brilliant player. As a Salford fan, I always insisted that my dad took me to Station Road on alternate weekends to watch that great Swinton side. He was the star player in that team.

[town blue]

Ken Gowers a name that always stands out from my childhood in the 60's, following Workington Town - literally kicked us out of a key cup or league game in front of a near capacity crowd at Derwent Park. RIP

[BadlyOverdrawnBoy]

Also an accomplished league cricketer. His grandson must have inherited something from him, he's John Simpson, the Middlesex wicketkeeper.

[audois]

Remember Gowers in that fabulous 60s team. Those 3 CC ties against the Chemics in 1964. A great three quarter line in front of him too - Speed/Fleet/Buckley/Stopford. Saw an exceptional league game at Knowsley Road v Saints when I think Stopford claimed a hat trick of tries opposite Van Vollenhoven. Later at Wilderspool the Wire pairing of Greenough-Edwards in a Championship Semi saw off the Lions with the mighty Bev in his pomp out scoring Stopford. Back to Gowers - a class act. A sad weekend for us losing him and the wonderful Springbok.

[bazzzz65]

18 hours ago, johnh1 said:

Brilliant player. As a Salford fan, I always insisted that my dad took me to Station Road on alternate weekends to watch that great Swinton side. He was the star player in that team.

My brother and I were Salford fans but we also went to Swinton when Salford were playing too far away for early teens to go. In those days Swinton used to be far better than Salford and Gowers was the main reason although Blan, Stopford,Williams played big parts too.

[JohnM]

And Alan Buckley. 

[Ex-Kirkholt]

Ken and Walter were father and son GB Lions as well !

RIP