Owers Becomes Our First Ever Head of Player Development

With over 30 years of involvement in professional football, Owers will bring vast experience into the new role; recent spells in the National League include managerial roles at Bath City and Torquay United.

Owers, a highly qualified football professional with a wealth of knowledge across all areas of the game and the National League, will lead the creation and implementation of a Home-Grown Player development strategy for the competition.

Speaking about his appointment, Owers said: “I would like to thank Chief Executive Michael Tattersall for the opportunity to lead on Player Development on behalf of The National League.

“I’m looking forward to the challenge of helping National League Clubs develop more of their own players.”

The 50-year-old made over 620 League and Cup appearances for Sunderland, Bristol City and Notts County during a successful playing career, securing promotion on three occasions and featuring in the 1992 FA Cup Final for Sunderland versus Liverpool.

Owers was appointed Player-Manager at Bath City in 2003, before becoming Forest Green Rovers’ first full-time managerial appointment two years later.

He has held down coaching roles at League Clubs, Portsmouth, Plymouth Argyle, Aldershot Town and Bristol City as well as senior recruitment roles in the Scottish Premier League.

Owers has worked in various lead or supporting roles across the foundation, youth and professional stages of youth development, showing passion for improving both individual and team performances.