alliance with diminutive veteran Scotsman Jimmy Delaney, Rowley’s 30 league goals helped United to the First Division title for the first time since 1911.

After 503 appearances and a remarkable 312 goals – he also played six games for England, averaging a goal a game – he left United to join Plymouth Argyle as player-manager, retiring from playing two years later in 1957.

After various coaching and managerial posts he retired from management in December 1969 to run a sub post office/newsagent in the Shaw district of Oldham.