He's worked with Mark Hughes a long time, so ought to know what he's doing. Always liked him as a player, and gave us respect when he commentated on us against Cardiff, so I hope he does well.
He was superb for us. Spoke to him in Woolwich during the 98 celebrations. Told him his was the best penalty at Wembley the previous day. Good luck Mark.
CAFC player 97-99 been appointed manager of Reading, local news says supporters underwelmed.
Who do they think they are? Really? A flash in the pan for three seasons after a mediocre and depressing previous 120 years and now the likes of Mark Bowen isn't good enough for them. If Bowen can arrest their current relegation form they should erect a statue to him.
34 when he signed for us and one of the most efficent and elegant players on the ball in that team. Just flabbergasted that Gunter and Matthews as senior pros have no impetus/influence on the game unless it's going our way. Seemed Bowen could prompt, probe and defend all day. Never remember him being outplayed. Maybe Forrest away? Didn't go, can only vaguely remember Bradley Allen's goal.
34 when he signed for us and one of the most efficent and elegant players on the ball in that team. Just flabbergasted that Gunter and Matthews as senior pros have no impetus/influence on the game unless it's going our way. Seemed Bowen could prompt, probe and defend all day. Never remember him being outplayed. Maybe Forrest away? Didn't go, can only vaguely remember Bradley Allen's goal.
I used to say to my kids that he was a fantastic full back.
He'd take the ball off his attacker like candy from a kid and then distribute it accurately. He did this time and time and time again. An absolute joy to watch.
Heard him commentating a few times, most recently when we played Cardiff a few years back, always gave us respect. Anyone who scored a penalty in the 98 playoff deserves a place on that legends thread
Came across really well on Ctv last week. I'd like to see more of the old guard involved in the current set up. I know Minto is about and Curbs' Stand but Bowen et al had premier experience..And yes he was really solid week in week out..
I'd probably have him just below Scott Minto as the best lb I've seen play for us. Chris Powell, everyone'll agree, was top class for us and his career had more impact on us but..... I didn't think Barness needed replacing, he'd been one of our best players in our shot shy poor 96/97 season. Bowen came in and just looked one of the most complete footballers I've ever seen at the Valley for us. To think we had him, Konchesky and Barness play lb for us that season. What a player he was.
He's a friend of one of MsAA's cousin. He turned up at a party there the evening of the 4-3 win at Villa. I can confirm he's a thoroughly nice chap. He was just as stoked by the result as I and the other couple of Charlton supporters there were.
Came across really well on Ctv last week. I'd like to see more of the old guard involved in the current set up. I know Minto is about and Curbs' Stand but Bowen et al had premier experience..And yes he was really solid week in week out..
Bowen had a long coaching career as Mark Hughes' assistant, plus a brief spell as technical assistant and manager at Reading, where he appointed himself to the manager's role!
Comments
I like Mark Bowen but we need 3 worse teams than us in this division and I'll happily accept Reading as one.
Sack a manager, look for a new manager, then hire yourself as the clubs manager
Always wondered why he never left Hughes earlier.
I have got to say that he really impressed me with his analysis of the current team . Always hoped he would return to us in some capacity .
He'd take the ball off his attacker like candy from a kid and then distribute it accurately. He did this time and time and time again. An absolute joy to watch.
Great player
A quality player for us and I'd be happy for him to have a role at the club, including manager tbh
I was really impressed with the grasp of detail that he had last week and he genuinely seemed to want us to do well.
Probably one of our top five left backs I have seen along with Powell, Reid, Konchesky and Wiggins.
Reading’s head of football operations Mark Bowen has been suspended and fined £7,000 for breaching Football Association betting rules.
Bowen admitted to an independent regulatory commission that he placed 95 bets on football games unrelated to Reading from April 2022 to January 2024.
The 60-year-old was given a 12-week ban, beginning on 17 July, eight weeks of which are suspended until the end of the 2025-26 season.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cql3y2yqeq3o