Owen happy to focus on coaching (From Worcester News)

Owen happy to focus on coaching

8:50am Saturday 13th March 2010

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By Steve Carley »

MARK Owen says he wants to focus on bringing success to Worcester City from the sidelines rather than the pitch.

The former St George’s Lane striker, now a coach at the club, came out of retirement to play in City’s 2-0 victory at Dover Athletic on Tuesday.

With a host of players missing through injury, suspension and work commitments, manager Carl Heeley turned to his ex-team-mate to make up the numbers.

The plan worked and City secured three vital Blue Square South points to give them a boost ahead of today’s return to Kent to face Bromley (3pm). But Owen is not about to dust his boots off again and will instead return to the dug-out alongside Heeley and assistant player-manager Mark Clyde.

The 32-year-old, who now runs the football academy at Worcester College of Technology, said: “It was for one night only and it was just to get through the Dover game. It was a gamble but it paid off and was a great result.

“I haven’t played a competitive game at that level since about November.

“The sharpness wasn’t there but I enjoyed my time on the pitch.

“It was always the case that I was going to retire this season.”

Owen scored more than 100 goals in seven years at Worcester and also starred for Lane tenants Evesham United. He called time on his career last month following a hernia operation having last played for Bromsgrove Rovers in the Zamaretto League Division One Midlands.

Heeley then got in touch about joining the coaching team and Owen was only too glad to accept.

“It was a surprise when Carl asked me to help out but it was an honour to get back with the first team,” he said.

“There’s only one thing we want for the club and that is to be successful — there’s no hidden agenda.”

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