Bowden started his career with
Oldham Athletic under the management of
Joe Royle. The "Latics" finished 11th in the
Second Division in
1981–82, moving up to seventh in
1982–83, before plummeting to 19th in
1983–84, one place but five points clear of
relegated Derby County. He left
Boundary Park after a 14th-place finish in
1984–85 He joined
Port Vale for £5,000 in September 1985. He impressed greatly on his debut at number 10 in a 4–1 win at
Vale Park on 14 September against
Cambridge United, and was described as the 'architect of victory'; despite this great start he
dislocated his
elbow three minutes before the full-time whistle. Bowden moved on to
Rochdale, as the "Dale" finished eighth in
1991–92, one place and two points behind
Barnet in the play-offs. They fell to 11th in
1992–93, five points outside the play-offs.
Manager Dave Sutton then took Rochdale to a ninth-place finish in
1993–94, four points behind
Carlisle United in the play-off zone. The
Spotland side then dropped to 15th in
1994–95. However, Bowden's career ended after an
Achilles injury. ==Style of play==