Owen returns for recharged Robins (From Evesham Journal)

Owen returns for recharged Robins

12:00pm Thursday 25th June 2009

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EVESHAM United manager Paul West is “delighted” after the club re-signed striker Mark Owen, their first capture of the summer.

The frontman returns to St George’s Lane after a spell as player-coach at Stourport Swifts last season.

Although Owen has been brought back to the club primarily as a player, West says he will be more involved in the training sessions and act as a back-up coach.

It is hoped the arrival of the 31-year-old can help increase the Robins’ goal tally next term, after they scored 48 times last season on their way to a ninth-placed finish.

The club will also take a look at midfielders Wayne Dyer and Richard Softly when United officially return to training on Tuesday, July 7, ahead of their first pre-season clash at Pershore Town on July 18. The re-named Zamaretto League campaign kicks off on Saturday, August 15.

West said: “I felt Mark moved down a division too early. From talking to him he still has a lot of desire and unfinished business.

“Last year was a bit topsy-turvy for him. He’s a good professional, he will help us as we didn’t score enough goals last season.

“Mark is the sort of player who can score 20 goals in this league.”

A delighted Owen now hopes to see out his career at the club after six months away from the Robins.

He said: “I would like to end my career at Evesham. I’m really excited to be back at the club, they are going in the right direction.

“I enjoyed my time at the club before, and there is no reason why we can’t make the play-offs next season as we were only six or seven points off last year.”

West was equally happy to re-sign the majority of his squad from last season, particularly goalkeeper Nathan Vaughan, who was wanted by several clubs.

He added: “It was no mean feat to keep the squad together, it shows their loyalty.

“But it’s going to be tough for us next season with the likes of Nuneaton, Truro and Leamington all looking strong, I’m under no illusion of the task we face.

“Hopefully, with the year’s experience we now have in this league it will makes us better.

“We’re not looking at the front of the shop for players because of our budget and we have to look a bit deeper. “Apart from Wayne and Richard we have five or six more players who are coming down from lower leagues.”

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