COLNE hot-shot Julian Dowe believes he has a bright future in the full-time game after joining Nationwide League outfit Rochdale on a 12-month contract.

The 23-year-old forward initially went to Spotland on trial but didn't take long to impress new Dale boss Steve Parkin who has snapped him up on professional terms.

Only a handful of players have managed to make the leap from the First North West Trains League to the Football League in recent years.

But it's no surprise Dowe has bridged the gap having already played against the likes of Romario and Michael Laudrup in some of the world's top stadiums during his short career.

And now he's got the chance to resurrect his full-time career in the Third Division, he's determind to make the most of it.

"Not many people get a second chance in this game but I'm one of the lucky ones," said Dowe.

"You only have to look at some of the people who get released by League clubs and try to make it back by playing non-League.

"They think all they need to do is turn up with their boots and they'll soon get picked up again.

"But it's not as easy as that and a lot of those players end up packing it in altogether.

"I've got to grab this opportunity with both hands and, although Rochdale is a good starting point for me, I want to play as high as I can." Dowe started out as a schoolboy with Manchester City before moving on to Wigan Athletic where he made his League debut at the age of 16.

Two years later he signed for Spanish Second Division side Atletico Marbella on a five-year contract and, although his appearances were limited on the continent, he still got a taste of the big time.

In a League match against Barcelona B he lined up against Romario and Jordi Cryuff.

And he also featured in a friendly against Real Madrid at the Bernabeau in front of 35,000.

Fed-up at a lack of first team opportunities, however, he signed for Scottish First Division outfit Ayr United.

But the move turned sour at the end of the season when United were relegated and Dowe left because the club could no longer afford his wages.

Under Scottish law Ayr were allowed to keep his registration, though, which prevented him joining any club higher than First North Western Trains League standard without a fee.

That's when Colne boss Denzil Hart stepped in and, after 12 months at Holt House, Dowe is now free to re-launch his career because Ayr no-longer have a hold on him. "I've lost two and a half years and it's a case of playing catch-up now," said Dowe.

"Denzil and everyone at Colne have been absolutely fantastic and maybe I'll go back there one day.

"But in the meantime, I want to make it as a pro.

"I'm only 23 and I still think I've got a good 12 years left.

"It's going to take me three or four weeks to get fit.

"But Steve Parkin has told me he wouldn't have signed me if he didn't think I could get into the first team.

"And that's what I aim to do."

Colne don't stand to gain a fee for the player because he wasn't on contract but Dale have agreed to play them in a potentially money-spinning friendly at the end of the season.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.