FORMER Shrewsbury and Cheltenham striker Ryan Bowman has been banned for three-and-a-half years for breaches of Football Association betting regulations.
The 33-year-old admitted having placed 6,397 bets between June 15, 2022 and September 13, 2023, according to the written reasons of an independent commission which heard the case.
Of those bets, 108 were found to relate to matches or competitions involving Exeter during his time at that club.
243 were found to relate to matches or competitions involving Shrewsbury when he was with the Shropshire club.
The independent commission which issued the ban said this was “a most serious case” which “includes a number of egregious examples of breaches of the FA rules against betting”.
The commission found Bowman’s extensive use of other people’s accounts was a serious aggravating feature.
It added it had “no doubt this was a further attempt by (Bowman) to hide his extensive football betting activity, which he knew at all material times, was against the rules”.
Cheltenham, who signed Bowman ahead of the 2024-25 season, said they were aware he was under investigation but had not been aware of the “full extent” of the matter until October.
Bowman was released by Cheltenham at the end of last season.
The Gloucestershire club said in a statement: “Club officials supported Ryan through what has been a difficult time for him and despite his departure from Cheltenham Town this summer.
“Again, we would like to place on record our thanks to him and wish him and his family all the best for the future.”
Cheltenham finished in 15th place in League Two last season.
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