Following his release from Albion, he signed for Danish Premier Division club Herfølge Boldklub, making 17 appearances in 2003–04 and 13 appearances in 2004–05. He soon became disillusioned with life in Denmark, and returned to England.[1]
AFC Bournemouth
He joined AFC Bournemouth on a trial basis to begin with in the 2005 close season, and signed a one-year contract after impressing in various pre-season friendlies.[2] He began the 2005–06 season in good form before rupturing his knee ligaments after about a minute's play in the away match to Brentford – this serious injury ruled him out for the rest of the season.[3] Having gradually returned to full fitness following his injury, Gowling featured in over 30 league games during the 2006–07 season, scoring his first professional goal in the process in a game against Rotherham United.[4]
His performance in the 2–0 home win against Yeovil Town on 15 March 2008 saw him named in the League One Team of the Week.[5] In 2007–08 he made 39 league appearances as Bournemouth were relegated to League Two.
Carlisle United
On 19 June 2008 Gowling, whose contract with Bournemouth had run out, signed for Carlisle United on a free transfer. He agreed a two-year contract with the club, who had lost in the League One play-offs the previous season,[6] but spent most of that season on loan at Hereford, against whom he had made his league debut for Carlisle.[7]
Gillingham
In July 2009 Gowling joined Gillingham on loan, initially for a month,[8] and made his debut on 8 August in a 5–0 home win over Swindon Town. On 26 August 2009, Gowling transferred to Gillingham on a two-year contract, just two days after extending the loan deal for another month.[9]
On 28 October 2010 he agreed to join Lincoln City on a month-long loan deal[10] with the paperwork being completed the following day.[11] He returned to Gillingham at the end of his loan deal.[12]
In July 2011, he joined Crewe Alexandra on trial playing seventy minutes in the club's 4–0 friendly victory at Congleton Town on 11 July 2011[13] but was not offered a contract.[14]
Lincoln City
On 14 July 2011, he agreed a two-year contract to return to Lincoln City.[15] On 31 August 2012 he left Lincoln City by mutual consent[16]
Kidderminster Harriers
On the same day he agreed a deal to sign for Kidderminster Harriers.[17] Gowling became a key figure in the Harriers defence, ending the 2012–13 season in the Conference team of the year alongside teammates Lee Vaughan and Anthony Malbon,[18] a season where Harriers finished 2nd, behind Mansfield Town. Gowling took the captain's armband for the 2014–15 season and also took a player/coach role within the club.[19]
Grimsby Town
On 26 March 2015, Gowling joined Grimsby Town on loan till the end of the season.[20] He scored on his debut for the Mariners on 6 April 2015, from a corner he fired in Jack Mackreth's cross in the 69th minute, breaking the deadlock in the 0–2 victory over Alfreton Town, with a right footed shot 3 yards out from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner.[21]
On 21 January 2020, he was appointed as interim manager, following the departure of Russell Slade.[33] Hereford encountered mixed form in Gowling's first months as interim manager, with the 2019–20 National League North season eventually curtailed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In June 2020, he was given the job on a permanent basis, appointing Steve Burr as his assistant.[34]
On 5 February 2023, Gowling left Hereford by mutual consent.[35][36]
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