Career
McDowell started his professional career at Cowdenbeath. He had an impressive time at Cowdenbeath and received offers from Hearts, Southend United and Brentford. McDowell eventually joined Partick Thistle in August 2001.
Despite scoring on his debut for the Jags, he failed to make a breakthrough at the club
After leaving Thistle, McDowell had brief spells at Queen of the South, Clyde, Arbroath and Stenhousemuir. He eventually moved into Scottish junior football, with spells at Bathgate Thistle, Linlithgow Rose and Oakley United.
In August 2014, McDowell moved to junior side Kelty Hearts. McDowell is also a certified personal fitness trainer, working for Good Health in Dundee.