William Walter Dowden, known almost exclusively as "Doc", was born in Putney in 1902 and attended Putney St. Mary's school. He played for West London Schools while attending Fulham Central School. After leaving school he joined the well known sports firm, Spaldings, working his way up to the position of Golf Club Manager and playing for their team in the Wimbledon & District League, gaining a cap for the London F.A. Juniors.

Trialled for both Southend United and Wimbledon and joined the Dons at the start of the 1924/25 season and was soon a prolific goal-scorer, attracting the attention of Fulham, for whom he signed as an amateur between December 1928 and June 1931, playing several times for the reserves and once for the first team, on 27 December 1929 against Watford, when he scored.

Gained caps for Surrey F.A., London F.A. and Southern Counties and was a reserve with the England amateur side, travelling to Northern Ireland. Represented the Isthmian League. Stayed with the club after retiring from the field in 1935 and after the war took over as Team Manager.

Joint holder of Wimbledon's individual goalscoring record, scoring six in the clubs record 15-2 victory over Polytechnic in the 1929/30 F.A. Cup.