 The posters for the visit of Lord John Sanger's Circus to Tunbridge Wells issued a challenge to Gower to keep goal against "Jumbo the elephant goal-getter"; a leg muscle injury perhaps prevented his taking up the challenge.He was soon back in action, but after a finger injury in November stopped him keeping goal, he was selected as an outfield player, making a competent display on the wing in the next Kent League match.When he returned to goal in the Kent League team, he was off form, rumours of a trial with a Midlands club were denied, and he finally returned to first-team duty in February.