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Surprisingly,
Dave Bowen played rugby until he was fifteen. He represented England
Boys' Clubs and signed professional forms for the Cobblers after leaving
the Forces. He was transferred to Arsenal, where he stayed for eleven
years, eight of them as captain. He also skippered Wales to the
quarter-finals of the World-Cup in Sweden in 1958 and has visited almost
every football playing country of the world. In 1960161 he was appointed
manager of the Cobblers, and has managed Wales on a part-time basis for
six years.
Q. Last season, the Cobblers just missed promotion. Why do you think
they failed?
A. Unfortunately, key players were injured at a vital time in the season
and younger players had to be drafted into the side, because the club,
with its limited finances, could not afford to buy new players.
Q. Why do so many of the clubs in the Football League find them-selves
in financial difficulties?
A. About eighty per cent of clubs in the League are running at a loss.
This is because of heavy taxes, which causes transfer fees to be high to
offset taxation.
Q. How, then, can these clubs increase their playing strength?
A. They are, of course, able to buy one or two players now and again,
but great importance is placed on spotting young players.
Q. You missed promotion last year; what about next?
A. It is still my aim to get the team into the Second Division and,
given the necessary luck, I'm confident we can do it.
Q. Why not the first?
A. I do not think that, at present, we are suited to First Division
football.
Q. Why?
A. When the club won promotion to the First Division in 1964/65,there
was a violent increase in wages and prices, which we were unable to
meet. Any club now entering the First Division must be prepared to spend
about a quarter of a million pounds on players; even then success is not
guaranteed. We just cannot afford that type of money.
Q. Are you satisfied with your team's support?
A. The present support is not sufficient; not totally because of alack
of interest or enthusiasm in the town, but also because of the poor bus
services for people who have to travel.
Q. At least, everyone can now see well enough. You share the ground with
the Cricket Club. Is this a satisfactory arrangement?
A. Obviously, we would like to own our own ground and facilities, but we
have to make the best of things as they are.
Q. You also manage the Welsh National Team, Mr. Bowen. To what do you
attribute their good performances lately?
A. I'm very pleased with the way our players give the effort when they
represent their country. Again, our resources are limited-we have only
four First-Division players in the Welsh side-but we seem to understand
each other. Perhaps national, pride has something to do with it.
Q. Do you think a full-time manager would help?
A. Probably, but there seems little need when the players are just
part-time.
There has been a lot in the papers recently about player
allegiance.
Q.
Q. Would you have any objections to playing teams from countries with
political systems alien to our own?
A. No, I would not. I prefer to play football and leave politics to the
politicians.
Q. In that case, would you also say that the refereeing of football
matches ought to be done by professionals on a much more selective
basis?
A. Our referees are the best in the world, but I believe professionalism
could only improve the standard.
Q. Finally, have you any advice to offer to the young, would-be
professional footballer?
A. Football can be a rewarding career for anyone who is really
dedicated, but he needs a lot of talent to be a success. Therefore, I
think it wise to have academic or technical qualifications before you
turn professional, in case you don't make it, or have bad luck and are
injured early in your career. You must always remember, though, that
success does not come easy; glory and high wages only come through hard
work.
Q. Any last point you would like to make?
A. Yes. When you aren't playing under the pressures at the top, having
to make your living out of the game, you can find real freedom in
football. Use your imagination, therefore, and enjoy the game for
itself.
Interviewers:
T. CARMICHAEL (6LMI). M. KRANTZ (3E). |
