JARROD ON RISE FROM LOWEST TIERS TO PREM
JARROD BOWEN almost ended up ploughing fields in Hereford rather than plundering goals in the Premier League.
The West Ham hitman, who has scored 12 in all competitions this season, has been the standout performer in his club’s so far outstanding campaign.
Yet, as calls for him to be included in next month’s England squad increase, Bowen admits it could have worked out very differently indeed.
After teenage rejection by Aston Villa, Tottenham, West Brom and Cardiff, he was close to quitting football – before his career finally took off at non-league Hereford and then Premier League Hull.
All of which spared Bowen, 25, the tough life of a farmer.
Bowen said: “Maybe in another life I could have been up all night on the farm. The way of life back home is very country-orientated. There’s a lot of farms.
“There’s a lot of routes you can go and football isn’t usually a route you go down.
“I used to go to the farm with grandad. Now it’s my uncle who owns one. I’d like a farm but when I speak to him, it’s too much hassle.
“The thought of it, ‘Oh yeah, I want a farm to do things,’ is better than the actual reality.”
Bowen’s failures at youth level toughened him up mentally – and physically as he was booted mercilessly by over-the-hill hatchet men lower down the pyramid.
“I was 16, 17 and you’ve players that have played hundreds of Football League games, coming to the end of their careers,” said Bowen.
“They see this sharp, little youngster and just want to kick him, and welcome him to the real world.
“It comes with the territory. But when you’re young, you think, ‘Jesus, what’s his problem?’
“Where I’ve come from, the journey I’ve been on – nearly giving up, scoring in the Conference and then being at Hull – it’s a bit crazy.
“But I never get carried away. My old man would be straight down the motorway if I ever did.
“I had a lot of obstacles to overcome. Anything that gets in my way now, I’m ready to take it on.”
If Bowen has had obstacles in the past, Kurt Zouma’s recent cat-kicking video has been a much more recent issue for the Hammers squad to face.
Yet Bowen says the squad has come together to support Zouma, in much the same way they have for their Ukrainian Andriy Yarmolenko after the outbreak of war in the forward’s home country. “It’s not something I’ve directly spoken to Yarmo about,” he said.
“I’m aware of the situation and have seen what has developed and it is important we stick by him and give him support and to the whole country as it is not a good position to be in. We are sending love and strength to them.
“With Kurt, I don’t think it’s affected performances or spirit.
“We stand together as players through thick and thin.
“He knew he was in the wrong without anyone having to tell him. It’s happened, you can’t take it back. It’s time to put it behind us.”
In addition to eight Premier League goals this season, Bowen has eight assists. Unsurprisingly, Liverpool sensation Mo Salah is joint top of the assists chart – on 10 – and also leads the Golden Boot race with 19 goals.
Bowen, heavily linked with Jurgen Klopp’s Reds, acknowledges the Egyptian’s exploits set an extremely high bar.
“That’s what you base it on – the very best,” he said. “And Salah is the best in the world.
“I do look at his numbers, especially being in the same position – similar players, both left-footed.
“I think I can be better than I am now. I’ve scored goals and got assists but there’s plenty more I could have scored this season. I’m probably talking about 15 goals already.”
With Wolves visiting the Hammers today, the top-four battle resumes – and provides another opportunity for Bowen to stake those England claims.
He added: “It’s up to me to keep putting my case forward.”