Footballer's 42-month Ban For Placing 6,397 Bets

Former Cheltenham, Shrewsbury and Exeter striker Ryan Bowman has been banned for three-and-a-half years by nan Football Association for placing 6,397 bets complete an 8 twelvemonth period.

The 33-year-old, who was released by Cheltenham this summer, admitted each of nan charges.

It was alleged he had made a stake from nan substitutes chair connected a crippled betwixt Shrewsbury and MK Dons that was already nether measurement successful January 2023, thing he denied.

Bowman placed almost 2,600 bets from December 2020 until July 2021 while he was astatine Exeter and different 3,100 betwixt August 2021 and July 2023 while playing for Shrewsbury.

Bowman made his past quality for Cheltenham connected 1 January.

His ban, which started successful March, will tally until September 2028.

"This is simply a astir superior lawsuit which includes a number of egregious examples of breaches of The FA Rules against betting," nan independent regulatory commission's written reasons said.

Bowman placed 8 bets against Shrewsbury, pinch 3 while he played nan entirety of nan match.

He placed different six spot bets connected himself to people during games.

In total, 351 of nan bets included games successful competitions that Exeter and Shrewsbury participated in. He besides placed 87 bets connected his ain clubs, 47 involving Shrewsbury.

"While we are disappointed pinch nan severity of nan offences, we person done everything successful our powerfulness to support Ryan and his family," a Shrewsbury connection said.

A Cheltenham connection said they were alert he was nether investigation by nan FA erstwhile Bowman signed for them successful July 2024.

"The afloat grade of nan offences was not known until October, erstwhile charges were brought nether nan FA's betting regulations," nan connection said.

"Club officials supported Ryan done what has been a difficult clip for him and contempt his departure from Cheltenham Town this summer, again we would for illustration to spot connected grounds our acknowledgment to him and wish him and his family each nan champion for nan future."

Exeter City confirmed they would not beryllium making a comment.

Bowman began his profession pinch Carlisle and played for National League sides Darlington, Hereford, Torquay and Gateshead.

He signed for Motherwell successful 2016 and past joined Exeter 3 years later, scoring 34 goals successful 112 matches.

He moved to Shrewsbury successful 2021, playing 135 games scoring 22 goals. In June 2022 he underwent bosom surgery aft experiencing bosom palpitations during a game.

He made 22 appearances for Cheltenham past season, scoring 3 goals but did not characteristic successful a matchday squad aft 1 January.