Martin ROWLANDS

D.O.B.

08-02-79

Birthplace

Hammersmith

Height

1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)

Position

Midfield

Signed

31/07/2003

Fee

Free Transfer

Former Clubs

Brentford, Farnborough Town

International

Republic of Ireland

Pen Pic

A player with useful non-league pedigree, Rowlands stepped into the Football League with Brenford, moving from Farnborough Town.

The midfielder flourished for the Bees netting 20 goals in 149 appearances. A broken leg brought a premature end to his Brentford career and then QPR boss Ian Holloway signed the midfielder while he was sidelined.

He officially penned a deal at Loftus Road in the summer of 2003 and subsequently played a key role in QPR's promotion from Division Two in 2004.

Always on the cusp of the Republic of Ireland squad, Rowalands' international pedigree has been stifled by some horrific injuries - predominantly knee ligament-based - that have scuppered his progress.

He was made club captain and remains the club's longest serving player following the departure of Gareth Ainsworth. He continued to battle back to fitness after the latest in a line of injuries.

After loan spells at Millwall and Wycombe Wanderers Rowlands' days were apparently numbered, and he was released by Mark Hughes on 31/01/12.