Hungry Bowen finally realises Euro Ambition
Reports Chris Barney, of the Llanelli Star.
Jason Bowen admits he is hungrier than ever as he looks to help Llanelli stay at the top of Welsh football. At 35, the versatile Merthyr product has opened a new chapter in a career that started in 1989.
Six clubs and two Wales caps later - along with a stint in the English Premiership - Bowen is ready to add to his CV. The midfielder, who is equally effective up front, signed for the Principality Welsh Premier League champions last week from Newport County.
But in career that started at Swansea City and took in further stints at Birmingham City, Southampton, Reading and Cardiff City before heading to Newport, European football has managed to elude him. He was part of the Swansea squad that took on Panathinaikos and Monaco in the European Cup Winners' Cup in the late 1980's and early 1990's, though he failed to feature in those games.
He played three times in the Premier League during a loan stint at Southampton, and won two international caps against Estonia and Holland. Now Bowen is relishing the opportunity of Champions League football as the Reds prepare to enter the unknown.
"It's an exciting new venture for me as Llanelli are defending their title and are an ambitious club that won't rest on their laurels," said Bowen, who lives just outside Newport.
"They want to win the league again, win more cups and be successful in Europe. That is what you want to hear when you are talking to a club.
"But Leggy (Andy Legg) really sold the club to me. The facilities and pitch here are superb...Myself and Leggy are good friends and talked regularly on the phone after games.
"I know Peter Nicholas pretty well from my time at Newport and I know Duncan Roberts and Gary Lloyd, so that's a bonus...We have already had a few training sessions and I have liked what I have seen.
"Everyone is really focussed on the draw on Tuesday and I'm really looking forward to playing in Europe."
It's an exciting new venture for me as Llanelli are defending their title and are an ambitious club that won't rest on their laurels
Bowen, who was in the Newport team that defeated Llanelli in last season's FAW Premier Cup final, adds further experience to the squad at Stebonheath Park.
With fellow former internationals Legg and Matthew Jones - who is expected to sign a new deal - already in the ranks along with veterans Lloyd and Paul Wanless, Bowen can help nurture the club's younger contingent.
His versatility is another boost. Bowen can feature in either the centre or right of midfield, or can operate as a support striker.
"I am comfortable in any of those positions," he said. "I can also play alongside the striker as well, but I think my preferred position is just behind the striker. Saying that, I will play wherever Peter wants me to. If he sees a position where I can offer something to the team and wants to play me there, then I will do it."
