Speaking in the Bournemouth Evening Echo about the move, Gowling is quoted as saying: "I've been at Bournemouth for the past three seasons. When I first came, it looked like they were going places but then, in the space of 18 months, the club has not gone the way it should have. Hopefully, Jeff Mostyn will take over and get it moving forward again. I made some great friends at the club and it's a second home to me so I'll be really sad to leave. The fans were always great with me. They made me feel really welcome and part of the club so I'd like to say thank you' for that because they've been magic with me. It was a bit up and down with me and the manager, I think everybody knows that. I think he just wanted the best for me and got a bit frustrated when he didn't think I was giving my best. I would like to wish him, Rob and Eddie all the best. I won't leave with my head held too high because we were relegated and I was a part of that".