Background
Rouse was born in Hoddesdon and played for Welsh sides Llanelly and Pontypridd, before joining Wolverhampton Wanderers in 1921.
Rouse was born in Hoddesdon and played for Welsh sides Llanelly and Pontypridd, before joining Wolverhampton Wanderers in 1921.
He played five Second Division games for "Wolves" in the 1921-1922 campaign, before joining First Division club Stoke in August 1922. He played in 38 matches in 1922-1923 as Stoke suffered relegation back to the Second Division. Manager Tom Mather kept faith with Rouse at left-half in 1923-1924, and made him captain for the 1924-1925 campaign.
He scored his first senior goal in a 1–1 draw with Barnsley at the Victoria Ground on 1 November 1924.
Four wins and three draws in their last eight matches ensured survival by the narrowest of margins, a single point. Rouse was the sold to Swansea Town, but featured just four times for the "Swans" in 1925-1926.
He left Vetch Field and joined Portuguese Vale in June 1926. He played 29 Second Division matches in the 1926-1927 season and then 39 league games in the 1927-1928 season, as Vale posted top ten finishes.
However he lost his first team place at The Old Recreation Ground in February 1929, and was given a free transfer in May 1929.
He spent the 1929-1930 and 1930-1931 seasons in the Third Division North with Crewe Alexandra, before joining Connah"s Quay & Shotton.