Rowland started with career rising through the Port Vale junior ranks to sign professionally with the club for the start of the 2001–02 season. He scored his first – and only – senior goal on 29 December, in a 3–1 win over Colchester United at Vale Park, and finished the campaign with 29 appearances to his name.
Rowland started by advancing through Port Vale's youth ranks to sign professionally with the club for the start of the 2001–02 season. He scored his only senior goal on December 29 in a 3–1 win over Colchester United at Vale Park, and completed 29 appearances during the campaign.