-- Reviews by the Famous and well Known
I first met Brian Owen when I became manager of Colchester United back in 2003. Very quickly I became aware that Brian was a fantastic person for me to learn from as a young manager in his first job. I couldn’t have asked for anyone better to work with.
When we won, he was as happy as I was. When we lost, he took defeat as badly as I did. We spent many hours together on the road travelling miles and miles up and down the country watching games. During those trips with Brian in the car, I learned so much from his stories and his years of experience in the game. Brian is someone who many people outside of football probably wouldn’t know about. He could walk down the street and wouldn’t often be recognised. But within the game itself, whichever match you go to, everybody knows Brian and has the utmost respect for him. He is a true football person.
If you look at Brian’s record down the years, the level he has played at, coached at and been a physio at, speaks volumes about him. Not only that, if you look at how long his career in football has spanned, he has hardly ever been out of work. That is very unusual in our game, but I feel it is a tribute to Brian’s qualities as a coach and a physio, and his integrity as a person.
Twelve years on after first meeting him, I still always pick up the phone to Brian to ask about players. His judgement of a player is very good. Having become a friend of his, I’m looking forward, like many other people will be, to reading this story of Brian’s interesting career path and how he became something of an unsung hero within the game. I personally would like to thank Brian for all the help he has given me during my managerial career.
Phil Parkinson, Football Manager
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Sir Bobby Robson, who employed Brian Owen at Ipswich Town as a youth coach, once remarked: ‘It’s nice to be important, but it’s more important to be nice.’ Never could that adage be more appropriate than about Brian Owen, a true footballing man. Player, coach, physio, scout and a loyal gentleman who, for all his adult life, has enjoyed working in the great theatre of professional football.
His career has been a kaleidoscope of training, playing, treating, working and meeting with a cross-section of footballing characters. Through football he has fulfilled many kids’ dreams. His stories and experiences would fill, and deserve, volumes.
As a playing adversary of mine in the 1960s when he was with Watford under the guidance of Ken Furphy, and I was just up the M1 with Luton Town, I came up against a bright intelligent footballer whose progress – similar to mine – was thwarted by injury. Thoughtful and enthusiastic, he gained his coaching certificates while continuing to play. Performing under the guidance of such as Bill McGarry, Sammy Chung, John Barnwell, Dick Graham and Jock Wallace, he listened and learned while preparing for a future in coaching and physiotherapy.
Respected throughout football, Brian worked diligently as his reputation grew and the FA came calling. Treating injuries at various England squads, he worked with the very top physios and managers in the country. In 1991 I employed Brian at Luton Town. He proved popular, bright and breezy, and was highly respected by the players for his knowledge.
Latterly, he has spent countless hours on the road scouring the country in a scouting capacity for several clubs, never ever losing his enthusiasm for the game. Never motivated by fame, money or a thirst for glory, Brian is a true football man. His football life has given him countless friends and rich memories and there is no substitute for that.
David Pleat, Former Football Manager - Written the Foreword
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-- Newspaper and Website Reviews
A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS
Programme Monthly & Football Collectable Magazine
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A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS
We Are United: The Official Matchday Programme of Colchester United
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HAVING A BALL OVER 60 YEARS
Clacton Gazette
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BRIAN LOOKS BACK ON SIX DECADES IN PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL IN MEMOIR
Daily Gazette
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A Man For All Seasons: Brian Owen the man FOUR all occasions
Shoot! The voice of football
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A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS
Sports Trader Magazine
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HAVING A BALL OVER 60 YEARS
Frinton & Walton Gazette
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