Born in Looe, Ray Bowden started out in Cornish football with his local team. He came to the attention of Argyle’s scouts due to his scoring feats for Looe in the P&D league where he scored more than 100 goals in one season and 10 goals in one game.
Although he had been training to be an auctioneer, Ray was always destined for a career in football. After winning the Plymouth and District league with Looe in 1926 he signed for Argyle as an amateur, before making his debut in March 1927. After scoring four goals in two games at the end of the following season, Ray established himself in the Argyle side for the 1928-29 season.
