Football fan and manager leaves legacy of laughter

A respected mental health manager who was a lifelong Labour member died, aged 55, on the day the party’s first Canterbury MP was elected.

Howard Rowles, right, was a well-known local football player, manager and referee.

Mr Rowles, of Dover Street, Canterbury, died from an aggressive cancer last Thursday.

Born in Coventry in 1961, he was one of four children. His father took him to see Coventry City play – but the boy instead became a life-long supporter of the visiting team, Everton.

An academic high achiever, Mr Rowles was named student of the year at the sixth form college he attended in the Midlands, and gained a psychology degree from the University of Liverpool.

He studied to become a nurse at the former St Augustine’s mental hospital at Chartham in 1984 and also had a spell in Australia.

He eventually became a manager working with people under the age of 65, often at St Martin’s Hospital, Canterbury.

He played both 11-a-side and five-a-side football, managed two clubs and refereed matches in the Canterbury and District League.

He was a regular at Everton’s ground and in Canterbury pubs could often be heard telling jokes or laughing uproariously.

Four years ago he was diagnosed with cancer but, asked if he had a ‘bucket list’ he replied he would spend time with his friends and watching Everton.

Last summer he threw a “living wake” for his friends at Howfield Manor Hotel in Chartham Hatch.

Mr Rowles died at a hospice in Leicestershire, close to where members of his family live.

He is survived by his mother, two older sisters and younger brother. He never married, but has two nephews and five nieces.

Funeral arrangements have yet to be made.