Jarrod Bowen’ journey into the Premier League demonstrates that top players can still be found in the lower English Leagues- even in the money-laden business which has become football since the Premier League arrived.
That we should often know the form and values of the top European players, yet so little of those under our noses in the Championship, tells us much of how the English game has drifted from its roots.
But even as we waited and fretted on deadline day wondering whether the former Hull star would sign for us – it actually went into the last ten minutes – little was known of the wide midfield/front man other than he had scored plenty of goals for the Tigers.
They don’t come much more home grown than the 23 year old who made such an impression on his first start for the club against Southampton and who, as a result, on whom hopes are being stacked high.
Thanks to the Hereford Times his history in the game has been charted which shows the rise and rise from the non leagues to the top of his profession.
He grew up in Leominster, a small town in Hereford, and went through the Hereford United academy before being signed by Hull City in 2014.
He remained for six years before moving onto the London Stadium where he scored his first Premier League goal against Southampton on Saturday afternoon only 15 minutes into the game.
Bowen scored on his first appearance for Hereford against Alfreton Town
Jarrod was drafted into the first team for Hereford after impressing the manager Pete Beadle in the youth squad at only 16 years of age.
Bowen showed that the manager’s faith in him was a valid one by scoring in the 3-2 victory against Alfreton Town.
The fans were ecstatic that the young Bowen was proving to be a great fit for the senior team.
Due to Hereford being expelled from the Conference because of financial issues, Hull City signed Bowen on to the team in 2014.
Bowen was progressing through the ranks again with Hull, and met his former side Hereford United in a friendly match on the 15th april 2015.
Jarrod in action for Hull against Blackburn
He went on to make his debut for the Hull senior squad in August 2016 due to impressing performance yet again.
He made a total of 131 appearances for the senior team and scored 54 goals.
A lot of speculation surrounded the rumours of Jarrod Bowen signing for the Hammers back in January and it was finally confirmed on the 31st January 2020 for a fee of 18million + potential addons worth 7million.
Jarrod scores on his first Irons appearance
Now onto the big stage and after such a great start to his Hammers career expectations are high for a young man who very much looks the Premier League part.
Well old, masochistic West Ham supporting farts like me, who despite senility and incipient dementia (what is that?) and the threat of Coronavirus preventing me from seeing the Hammers beat Liverpool next season (yes we won’t go down!), sometimes have long memories.
Does any one remember Johnny “Budgie” Byrne? A WHU player who, hopefully, Bowen will more than emulate.
A Third Division Crystal Palace player he joined the Hammers in 1962 for a then record fee of £65 000 to follow an illustrious career, including Hammer of the Year whilst playing alonside Geoff Hurst. On 16 May 1964, possibly Byrne’s greatest achievement came, as he scored a hat-trick, in Lisbon, in England’s 4–3 win over a Portugal team that included Eusébio. He missed out on a place in the eventually victorious England squad, at the 1966 FIFA World Cup – imagine we could have had 4 World Cup Winners! . Please Google him and while you are at it check on Martin Peters and Sir Trevor – both home -grown of course!
P.S. Whilst he was doing national service he once scored 12 goals in a match for the Army!
I remember watching Budgie Byrne very well. What a classy player. Never a brilliantined hair out of place but always fully involved. Unless my failing memory is letting me down, wasnt he injured playing for England , knee I think, and never the same player again. One of the West Ham greats imo.