He became a player-coach at non-league side Yeovil Town, taking charge for the 1928–29 season.[2] He took charge at Barrow in 1932, and remained in the hotseat for more than 200 games at Holker Street, until he was appointed manager of Walsall on 30 April 1937.[2] The club struggled near the foot of the Third Division South table in 1937–38, and had to apply for re-election.[2] He signed Johnny Hancocks in October 1938,[2] who would go on to be capped by England and be one of the finest post-World War II players at high-flying Wolverhampton Wanderers. However the "Saddlers" continued to struggle under Lowes' management, and had to apply for re-election again in 1938–39, having finished second-from-bottom.[2]The Football League was abandoned due to the outbreak of war in 1939–40.