Arthur Rowley (footballer, born 1870) explained

Arthur Rowley (born 1870; date of death unknown) was an English footballer who played in the Football League for Burslem Port Vale and Stoke, and in the Southern League with Bristol Rovers.^[1] He was the first player to score a goal straight from a direct free kick in the Football League.

Career

Rowley played for Leek, Distillery, and the North Staffordshire Regiment before joining Stoke in 1896.^[1] He became a useful addition to the Stoke squad, taking over the right half position from the ageing Davy Brodie.^[1] He played four First Division games in the 1896–97 season, before becoming a first-team regular in the 1897–98 and 1898–99 campaigns. He spent three seasons at the Victoria Ground, making 62 appearances.^[1]

He played for Bristol Rovers in the Southern League before joining Burslem Port Vale in September 1902.^[2] He played 27 league games in the 1902–03 season, as Vale posted a ninth-place finish in the Second Division.^[2] He became the first player to score a goal straight from a direct free kick in the Football League on 7 September 1903, in a 3–2 defeat to Bolton Wanderers at the Athletic Ground.^[2] He claimed two goals in 38 games in the 1903–04 campaign, but left the club before the start of the 1904–05 season.^[2]

Career statistics

Source:

Club	Season	Division	League		FA Cup		Test Match		Total
			Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Stoke	1896–97	First Division	25	0	2	0	–		27	0
	1897–98	First Division	18	0	1	0	2	0	21	0
	1898–99	First Division	14	0	0	0	–		14	0
	Total		57	0	3	0	2	0	62	0
Burslem Port Vale	1902–03	Second Division	27	2	2	0	–		29	2
	1903–04	Second Division	30	2	7	0	–		37	2
	Total		57	4	9	0	0	0	66	4
Career total			114	4	12	0	2	0	128	4

Notes and References

1. Book: Matthews, Tony. The Encyclopaedia of Stoke City. 1994. Lion Press. 0-9524151-0-0.
2. Book: Kent, Jeff. Port Vale Personalities. Witan Books. 255. 1996. 0-9529152-0-0. .