Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community - View Single Post - Owen Hargreaves underappreciated by English fans

browna · 06-15-2006, 03:30 PM

I wonder if his "booing" and other English impatience is the fact that he's resisted the jumped to the EPL and decided to stay at Bayern.

I know the family, and played with and against his brother for many years. Owen being a few years younger, didn't really play with him, or against him, except for once, but I do remember a few kick arounds when we were younger.

But, he was really never pegged (its hard at 14-15 in this country) as being anything over and above any really good player in this city. I'd hazard to say that I played with and against as good or better players at that age then Owen (including his brother).

But, through a local contact (that a few others I know used) he got the chance to go to Europe and a tryout with Bayern among others, at the age of 14, which was perfect timing...a year or two later, he'd have been past it to get into such a club.

He was one of the fortunate to get such a high level chance at that age...but once he got swallowed up by such a prestigous club, where you eat drink and sleep soccer 24/7, his progression and skill went through the roof with the youth club, and then the reserves for a few years.

You can't help but get better in that program..but so few have that initial chance...which can be luck as much as it can be scouting.

06-15-2006, 03:30 PM	#7
browna Franchise Player Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Calgary Exp:	I wonder if his "booing" and other English impatience is the fact that he's resisted the jumped to the EPL and decided to stay at Bayern. I know the family, and played with and against his brother for many years. Owen being a few years younger, didn't really play with him, or against him, except for once, but I do remember a few kick arounds when we were younger. But, he was really never pegged (its hard at 14-15 in this country) as being anything over and above any really good player in this city. I'd hazard to say that I played with and against as good or better players at that age then Owen (including his brother). But, through a local contact (that a few others I know used) he got the chance to go to Europe and a tryout with Bayern among others, at the age of 14, which was perfect timing...a year or two later, he'd have been past it to get into such a club. He was one of the fortunate to get such a high level chance at that age...but once he got swallowed up by such a prestigous club, where you eat drink and sleep soccer 24/7, his progression and skill went through the roof with the youth club, and then the reserves for a few years. You can't help but get better in that program..but so few have that initial chance...which can be luck as much as it can be scouting.