Dow was born in Herrington, County Durham, the eldest child of John Dow, a riveter in a shipyard, and his wife Mary Ann. At the time of the 1911 Census, the family was living in the Monkwearmouth area of Sunderland. Described as a "sturdily built defender", he began his senior football career with Sunderland, but never made a first-team appearance in several seasons with the club. In 1930, he was initially placed on the transfer list, but on appeal to the Football League was allowed a free transfer. He then signed for Grimsby Town of the First Division. He spent most of his Grimsby career playing for their reserves in the Midland League, at right half as well as his more normal right-back position, and appeared only twice for Grimsby's first team. At the end of his second season, he was listed as one of several "others who may be released", and in September 1932, he signed for Darlington. He began his Darlington career in the reserves, but soon established himself as first choice at right back. In January 1933, they were a goal down to Stockport County and "ten seconds from the finish with a splendid effort, Dow, the right back, ran the ball half the length of the field and put over a quick centre from the corner flag. Hurst headed the ball into the net and the referee blew the final whistle." A first-team regular for the rest of the 1932–33 season, Dow was one of just five players on Darlington's retained list for the following campaign. He appeared less frequently during 1933–34 after the arrival of Irish full-back Bill Scott in mid-September. He lost his place to Scott after an unexpectedly heavy defeat at home to Mansfield Town, and appeared only infrequently thereafter, sometimes replacing Bill Allison at left back. Dow, like all but two of Darlington's reserve players, was given a free transfer at the end of the season. Dow then moved into non-league football with Wearside League clubShotton Colliery Welfare. According to the Sunderland Echo's correspondent, he "rendered the club excellent service" over his first season, After his second, he chose not to re-sign, instead joining fellow Wearside League team Easington Colliery Welfare, but after only a few months he returned to Shotton. Dow's death at the age of 81 was registered in the third quarter of 1987 in the Sunderland district.
