Born in January 1965, Iain Dowie enjoyed an illustrious 13-year professional playing career.

The striker began his career at Luton Town, for whom he scored 16 goals in 66 league appearances.

A short spell at West Ham United followed in 1991, but it was during a four-year spell at Southampton that he really made his name, scoring 30 goals in 122 league appearances for the South Coast outfit.

A brief career at Crystal Palace followed in 1995, but following the Eagles' relegation, Dowie returned to West Ham United for three years.

His final spell as a professional was with Rangers, for whom he made 31 league appearances, scoring two goals.

Dowie also enjoyed a brief stint as Caretaker Manager of the R's before working under Gerry Francis in the role of Assistant Manager.

During his time in the professional game, Dowie accumulated 59 caps for Northern Ireland, scoring an impressive 12 goals at international level.

After his three-year spell as number two to Francis, Dowie left QPR to become Assistant Manager of Oldham Athletic.

However, following the dismissal of Oldham Manager Mick Wadsworth, Dowie took over the reigns and led The Latics to the Division Two play-off's, where they lost a two-legged semi-final to QPR.

In December 2003, Dowie was appointed Manager of Crystal Palace, inheriting a squad that were underachieving in the lower reaches of the second tier.

Undeterred, his impact was immediate, as he guided the Eagles to 17 victories from 23 matches - and a sixth place finish.

Victory in the play-off final against his former Club West Ham United completed a quite remarkable turnaround, and although Palace were relegated back to the Championship at the first time of asking, Dowie spurned the opportunity to move on to pastures new.

He did, however, leave Crystal Palace in May 2006, joining Charlton Athletic just eight days later.

His stint at The Valley lasted just 15 matches though and after a brief period out of the game, he was appointed Coventry City Manager in February 2007.

The Sky Blues finished 17th in the Championship in his first season in charge, only for Dowie to leave The Ricoh Arena in February.