Owen, Robert 1956-63
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BOBBY OWEN - A TRUE INSPIRATION YESTERDAY Sunderland Crematorium held the funeral of former South Shields FC captain Bobby Owen , who died last week at the age of 75 . After playing at Football League level with Huddersfield and Lincoln , seven great seasons as skipper of the Mariners guaranteed Owen a place in the list of the club's all - time greats . He then moved on to manage Whitley Bay for 11 successful years to ensure legendary status on both sides of the river . Here we look back over those memorable years through the eyes of ex - South Shields official and lifelong supporter BOB WRAY . BOBBY Owen was an outstanding player and personality , and a man greatly admired and respected . He was born in Whitburn on May 5 , 1924 where he attended the local village school , and where his football career began . His formative years were spent with Marsden Juniors and Hylton Juniors , where he played alongside Ernie Taylor , later of Blackpool , Newcastle United and England . He then moved to Boldon CW and later to Murton CW , who were regu larly watched by 4,000 to 5,000 spectators . At 18 he was the youngest in a team which would give 11 profes sionals to the game . He signed for Huddersfield Town in 1944 , but returned to Murton CW the following year . Medals He returned to the professional game in January 1947 when he joined Lincoln City . His position was right half , and he appeared in some 300 games for the Sincil Bank club during the follow ing nine seasons , and won two Divi sion Three ( North ) championship *** medals 1947-48 and 1950-51 . Present in the latter team were goalkeeper Archie Wilson , formerly of South Shields FC , and Andy Graver and Doug Wright , both ex Newcastle United . On returning home for domestic reasons , he decided to sign for South Shields and renew acquaintance with manager Charlie Thomas to play a part in his efforts to bring a higher standard of football to Simonside Hall . In seven seasons with the Mari ners , in North Eastern , Midland and Northern Counties Leagues , he had the distinction of being captain for every game he played . And there was the honour of cap taincy of the Midland League Repre sentative XI against ' Posh ' Peterbor ough United , at that time league champions . He was an inspirational influence on the team and a great crowd favourite with his sterling brand of Gazette , Wednesday , October 20 , 1999 4 LEGENDARY LINE - UP the South Shields team of 1958-9 with Owen as captain ( extreme right ) . Back row : Shields , Cain , Passmore , Burn , Hill , Owen . Front : Powell , Monkhouse , Crickett , Robson , Ivey . Inset Evans . attacking play and resolute defence . Bobby was the lynchpin of an out standing team , which developed to be nationally acknowleged as one of the country's strongest in non league competition . Testimony to that are such high lights as six league championship magnificent 5-0 FA Cup first round and runners - up honours , and the replay victory against Fourth Divi sion Crewe Alexandra on the Wednesday afternoon of November 19 , 1958 , in front of a crowd of 12,000 . Record D Indeed in those halcyon days in which Bobby played a major part , the club boasted a ground record attendance of 20,500 and a support ers club with a 13,000 membership . His notable playing career ended with South Shields in 1963 , and with it perhaps the most outstanding con tribution to the club's post - war player history . Thereafter he went into 3 management with Whitley Bay and built the Hillheads Club into a major force in the Northern League . The Club were twice winners of the League Championship , runners up three times , winners of the North umberland Senior Cup on nine occa sions and twice had the distinction semi finals . of appearing in FA Amateur Cup With 11 years ' service as manager , he remains Bay's longest - ever serv ant in the post . Bobby gained a full FA coaching badge , and possessed a tremendous knowledge of the game . contact through his scouting activi He retired in 1974 , but remained in for some time thereafter . ties for Graham Taylor at Watford He will be remembered with affection . On behalf of those of us in the local him so well , I wish to convey to his football fraternity who remember family our thoughts and sympathy . |
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