Former Shrewsbury Town, Exeter City and Motherwell forward Ryan Bowman completes move to Cheltenham Town
Cheltenham Town have completed the signing of experienced forward Ryan Bowman on a one-year deal.
The 32-year-old has spent the last three seasons in League One with Shrewsbury Town, for whom he scored the winner against Cheltenham on the opening day of last ter
Before that he was with Exeter City for three years in League Two, following a spell in the Scottish Premiership with Motherwell.
Bowman has also previously been on the books of Gateshead, York City, Torquay United, Hereford United, Darlington and Carlisle United, with nearly 600 career appearances to his nam
Exeter City Women’s Captain Manfy Sharpe has departed the Grecians after nine years in red and white.
Signing in 2015, Sharpe would win the Player of the Year award in 2017 following the team’s rise to the top of the South West Premier Division. Victory over Keynsham Town at Speeds Meadow, Cullompton, would see Sharpe and the Grecians enter tier four of Women’s football for the first time with the Exmouth based defender taking on the captain’s arm band for the first time following the 2019 title success.
Sharpe would lift her first trophy as captain following football’s return from COVID-19, a 2-1 Devon County Cup victory over Plymouth Argyle seeing the Grecians claim Devon’s top title for the first time in six years.
An FA Cup fifth round appearance followed for the team in 2022, before narrowly missing out on promotion to Cardiff City Ladies in 2023. However, Sharpe would end her time as a Grecian in the best way possible, lifting a County Cup and League double as City gained promotion to tier three for the first time in the club’s history.
Sharpe’s impact on the women’s team at Exeter City far extends her on field talent, with her generous and affable nature making her a favourite among young supporters.
Sharpe would collect the PFA in the Community Award in successive seasons from 2021-23 for her work in the City and within promoting girls football. From visiting schools, youth teams or acts of kindness, Sharpe has been a key factor in the growth of Women’s football at Exeter City and has led the team with pride and distinction.
With 173 appearances, Manfy Sharpe is a name synonymous with Exeter City’s Women’s team and will leave a strong legacy both for herself and those that follow her.
About The Author
