Pembrokeshire Football lost yet another fine player and real character with the passing of Paul Bowen, a natural goal scorer and someone with the highest skill levels alongside total on-field commitment.

Paul played late in his long career with Hakin United and we asked Vikings’ club stalwart Chris Tansey to write a few words and we at PembrokeshireSport.co.uk are very pleased to publish his smashing eulogy on our website.

Paul Bowen – a great player and clubman

I am sure there are a lot more people who read this who will be better qualified with fond memories of Paul to recall all the clubs that Paul played for and the enormous number of goals he scored. I am sure if you can recount these memories to Bill Carne he would upload them to this website or you could post them on the Local Football Memories Facebook page.

My first recollections of Paul Bowen was watching him play for the great Milford United team of the early to mid-seventies when his goals and industry helped propel Milford United through the Welsh League divisions under the brilliant management of Terry Scutt.
 

Paul made a lasting impression as a player at The Obs . . .

Later in his football career Paul joined Hakin United and quickly became a valued team mate and friend who was always ready with a word of advice and encouragement.

 Paul was not one for ranting; preferring to lead by example. He was as tough as teak, never shirked  a challenge and always believed we could win and the next chance to score a goal was never far away. His enthusiasm rubbed off on all his team mates and he was a pleasure to play with.
 

. . . And was also involved off the pitch too!

Paul also immersed himself in the running of the Club by joining the Committee and managing both the Senior Teams and always had Hakin United`s best interests at heart before his work took him abroad.

However on his numerous visits to the Club he was an ardent supporter always full of encouragement and proud of the Club`s achievements.

It was always a pleasure to bump into Paul, whenever and wherever, and Paul will be sorely missed by all his friends at Hakin United and I am proud to say Paul was a friend of mine who epitomised the spirit of Hakin United of play hard with enjoyment.