Bowyer Junior Relies On Bowyer Senior

Blackburn manager Gary Bowyer still relies on his father Ian, the former Hereford United manager, for both advice and scouting. 

"I’m very fortunate that I can go to him with absolutely anything," Gary told the Blackburn Telegraph

"He will not hold back – he’ll tell me how it is, warts and all. 

"Sometimes people can either be worried about upsetting you or they will fluff it up a little bit.

"But when it’s your dad, you certainly don’t get that."

Gary played for his father whilst he was in charge at Edgar Street.

"I’ve got him out scouting for us," said the Rovers chief.

"His knowledge is invaluable."

Ian joined Hereford in 1987. 

Ian Bowyer joined as player/coach under John Newman but took over as manager in October 1987. The ex-Nottingham Forest and Manchester City player had little league success but won the Welsh Cup in 1990 as the Bulls beat Wrexham 2-1 in Cardiff. However, at the end of the 1989/90 season, Bowyer left after his son Gary was allowed to signed for Nottingham Forest on a free transfer. There was an out-of-court settlement and the true facts never came out.

Earlier this year Ian give his version of events.

"It was poles apart (being at Hereford) from what I had been used to at Forest," admitted Bowyer. "There was just me and the physio. I ended up doing most jobs, including buttering sandwiches and mashing tea.
"We did OK on the playing side and the crowds were up. We won the Welsh Cup but then I lost my job.
"There was a story that it was because my son had gone to play for Forest. But the truth was that they wanted Colin Addison back."

Gary joined the Bulls from Westfields in 1989 and scored two goals in fourteen appearances. 

---