11 Facts About Dave Bowen

David Lloyd Bowen was a Welsh football player and manager, who captained his country to their first ever World Cup finals, in 1958.

Dave Bowen had only played 12 times for Northampton before catching the eye of Pat Whittaker, son of Arsenal manager Tom Whittaker.

Dave Bowen was duly signed by Arsenal in the summer of 1950 as an understudy to Joe Mercer at wing half.

Dave Bowen made his debut against Wolves on 24 March 1951, but only made a handful of appearances between 1951 and 1954, when Mercer finally retired due to injury.

Dave Bowen's spell at Arsenal coincided with a lack of success at the club, so he did not win any major domestic honours.

Dave Bowen would manage the Cobblers for eight years, and became known as a canny manager who signed quality players despite a tight budget.

Dave Bowen steered Northampton from the Fourth Division to the First in just five seasons.

Dave Bowen left Northampton in 1967, after a second successive relegation, though he rejoined the club for a second stint as manager between 1969 and 1972, by which time they had returned to the Fourth Division.

Dave Bowen continued to stay with Northampton, serving as general manager, secretary and finally as a club director before retiring.

Dave Bowen had a sideline in journalism and bookmaking during his managerial career and was a summariser for ITV alongside commentator Hugh Johns for their coverage of the 1966 World Cup final.

Dave Bowen died in Northampton in 1995, at the age of 67.