Early Years

Michael James Owen was born 14th December 1979 in Chester, England. He is the son of Chester and Everton footballer Terry Owen. In 1979 Michael scored 79 goals for Deeside Primary School, breaking the record of Liverpool legend Ian Rush. Despite being an Everton fan, Owen signed a schoolboy contract with Liverpool at the age of 12 having been impressed by a letter from Steve Heighway, the Liverpool Youth Development Officer.

Progression

Owen progressed through the ranks quickly at Liverpool and was playing in the youth team at just 16 years of age when most of his colleagues in the side were already 18. He attended the FA school of excellence at Lilleshall and represented England at under 15 level, breaking scoring records for both club and country. On 6th May 1997, Owen made his Liverpool first team debut against Wimbledon and scored. He was just 17 years old but obviously destined for great things.

A Star is Born

With his exceptional pace and eye for goal, Michael quickly established himself in the Liverpool side and in 1998 won the PFA Young Player of the Year Award and was the Premier League top scorer winning him the Golden Boot award. In the 1998 World Cup finals he scored one of his and England’s most memorable goals with a stunning individual effort against Argentina that propelled him onto the world stage. In 1999 Owen was again Premier League top scorer despite not finishing the season through injury. Owen’s career has been dogged by injury and in season 1999/2000 he had only completed 6 games by January but the following season was to be one of Liverpool’s greatest ever and probably the Zenith of his career.

The Treble

At the start of season 2000/2001 there was little sign of the great things to come. Liverpool’s start was average in the league and they struggled to progress through the early rounds of the UEFA Cup. By January, however, Liverpool were on a roll reaching the final of the league cup and the last 16 of the UEFA CUP with the challenge of playing Italian champions elect AS Roma in the next round . They had also successfully negotiated the third round of the FA CUP against Rotherham but now faced a tough match against Leeds to progress further. After a spectacular but controversial victory over Roma in which Michael Owen scored twice and missed a penalty and an eleventh hour win over Leeds there was talk of achieving a magnificent treble. This seemed highly unlikely but by May the League Cup had been won against Birmingham and Liverpool had reached the finals of both the FA Cup and UEFA Cup.

The Finals

To say Liverpool played badly in the 2001 FA Cup final would be a gross understatement and with 7 minutes to go they were 1:0 down and had hardly created a chance. Entrance Michael Owen who scored first from a set piece and then set the stadium alight with yet another amazing individual effort to win the game. He was described as winning the cup for Liverpool all by himself. Four days later on an incredible night in Dortmund, Germany, Liverpool beat Alaves 5:4 with a golden goal to claim the UEFA Cup and an extraordinary Trebble. Michael Owen scored a penalty in the match and later gained both The European and World Player of the year awards.

Later Career

Owen played for Liverpool until 2004 gaining a further League Cup winners’ medal in 2003. He continued to score goals passing the 100 mark for Liverpool but in 2004 moved to Real Madrid where he rarely played. He then returned to England and signed for Newcastle United for whom he played until the disastrous 2008/2009 season in which Newcastle were relegated. His domestic and international career continued to be interrupted by injury and he never returned to the form of his days at Liverpool. Owen signed for Manchester United in 2009 but failed to make an impact and left for Stoke City in 2012.

Away From Football

Away from the pitch Michael has attained many lucrative advertising deals. He was the face of breakfast cereal Nestlé Sporties, appeared in adverts for Persil washing powder, was a cover athlete for the Pro Evolution Soccer 2008 Game and has a contract with Jaguar Cars. Michael has also been an ambassador of the Swiss watchmaker Tissot, advertising their men’s Couturier watches including a limited edition named after him.

Attached Images:

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Watch Hub offer the range of Mens Tissot Couturier watches as championed by Michael Owen