the 2018–19 season. He was promoted again to the role of academy director in April 2019, following the departure of Gareth Jennings to FIFA. Personal life Although from Staffordshire (where he played county cricket as a youngster), he supports Chelsea, thanks to his father. With a brother in the Armed Forces, Owen ran in the Stoke-on-Trent 2010K run, a marathon to celebrate the city's centenary, to raise money for Help for Heroes. He managed to raise over £1,000. In June 2009 he started a course to earn his UEFA Level Two coaching badge. A few months later he began a sports science degree course at Manchester Metropolitan University, with the aim of getting into teaching or coaching. In 2012, he graduated from Staffordshire University with a First Class degree in Professional Sports Writing and Broadcasting. He began writing weekly columns on Port Vale for The Sentinel for the 2011–12 season. In November 2011, he was voted onto the PFA's management committee. Career statistics Honours Individual Stockport County F.C. Player of the Year: 2007 Stockport County League Two play-offs: 2008 References External links 1982 births Living people People from Cheadle, Staffordshire Footballers from Stoke-on-Trent English footballers English people of Welsh descent Welsh footballers Association football central defenders Stoke City F.C. players Oldham Athletic A.F.C. players Torquay United F.C. players Stockport County F.C. players Yeovil Town F.C. players Port Vale F.C. players English Football League players Alumni of Manchester Metropolitan University Alumni of Staffordshire University Association football coaches Association football scouts Port Vale F.C. non-playing staff Stoke City F.C. non-playing staff