The Big Interview: Steve Garratt and Peter Davies quiz the man who’s been a fixture in the Reds’ midfield throughout the `90s
Background: Gareth Owen, ‘90s man and midfield maestro.
Setting: Gaz agrees to answer some questions about himself, his life inside football and his life outside football…
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Do you feel old having a Testimonial this year?
“Yes and No. Yes, because you usually associate a Testimonial with somebody in his mid-thirties. No, because I'm still only 28 - even though I feel like I've been here 20 years!!”
Who’s the best player you’ve ever played against?
“That would have to be Ryan Giggs, when we played against United in the Cup Winners’ Cup. I was playing on the right at the time and he was playing on the left. We had both made our debuts together for the Wales Under-21s in Poland a few months prior to the game and he even wished me luck as we were in the tunnel (which is something I'll tell the grandchildren). Even at such a young age, he not only had everything, but he also had the added pressure of playing for United - which is something you can only admire.”
Who’s the best player you’ve ever played with?
“I was asked this question at the launch to the Testimonial Year and my answer was, basically, that over the years I've played with a lot of great players. I had to mention the staff because they were all sitting there! Also, Jimmy Case, Alan Kennedy, Mickey Thomas, and more recently Ian Rush. But one player that immediately springs to my mind is Mike Lake - this might surprise a few people. It was the year we got promotion and we just seemed to click as a pair. We worked well together and it helped to create a team that worked well together."
How close do you feel you are now, and have been in the past, to a full Welsh cap?
“I think I have come close a couple of times in the past with different managers but I was never quite good or consistent enough at the time. For me, consistency is one of the best qualities a player can have. To be doing it week in, week out, will always give you the chance of playing at a higher level and, by my own admission, I have not been the most consistent of players. But it's something I am aware of and, even at 28, is something I am still trying to get into my game. As for my chances now, who knows? If I work hard enough at Wrexham my chance may finally come.”
What can you tell us about Flynn as a manager?
“What can I say about the Gaffer? He gave me my chance in football which I am forever grateful for and if he had had the kind of money some managers have had I think you would have seen Premiership football before now. When you look at the position of the club when he took over and the position the club is in now - regardless of results! - there's not a lot of managers who could have turned things round like the Gaffer has. I've not always agreed with some decisions - what player has? - but at the end of the day he's the boss and that's what he gets paid for. Send the donation to the fund, Bri…!”
What about Joey and his influence on the team?
“Joey is the motivator when it comes to matchday. All the staff have their say before the games but Joey is the one who sits you down and tells you what he expects from you. His infamous ‘Don't look at 'em’ as we line up in the tunnel is well known throughout the club - as is his will to win and never-say-die attitude that is always needed around a football club.”
What are your ambitions in football?
“To play at the highest level I possibly can, be it with Wrexham or whoever. Premiership football at the Racecourse is something I would love to see in my career, or my lifetime. And also to gain recognition at Full International level would be a dream fulfilled.”
Do you think you’ll ever be a manager? If no, what do you think you’ll do post-football?
“Possibly, but not at league level. I've got to be honest: I think it's the most difficult job in the world - to try and keep everybody happy all of the time, to find quality players for nothing, most of the time, to manage your staff, deal with players banging your door down when they’re not selected, to deal with players’ contracts, coach, contend with injuries to your squad, get results, all without millions to spend, and all under pressure. No thanks. I think I'll stick to getting trained up in the computer business. PC repair, diagnostics, that sort of thing. Saying that, who knows what will happen in the next 10 years?”
Cheers Gareth - thanks a lot! RP
[In the second half of this interview - to be published in RP20 and on sale at Gareth’s Testimonial game against Manchester United and throughout the summer - Mr Owen gives Red Passion the lowdown on his teammates]