 He then joined the club's academy when he was just eight years old and signed his first professional contract on 27 October 2015.He made his debut for the club on 30 April 2016, coming on as a 70th-minute substitute for Bobby Reid in a 4–0 Championship win over Huddersfield Town.On 4 August 2016, six players, including Dowling were loaned out by Bristol City on short-term deals.