Bowry hoping to develop further after extending his contract

» WHEN you are locked down at home for more than two months it helps to have a former international player in the family.

Cheltenham Town defender Dan Bowry, himself a regular for Antigua and Barbuda, has been working closely with dad Bobby, who represented St Kitts and Nevis alongside spells as a midfielder for Crystal Palace, Millwall and Colchester United, writes Jon Palmer.

“I went back to London to be with my family during lockdown,” Dan said.

“I was doing regular home gym sessions as well as technical and fitness sessions with my dad, which were more football specific. We also went for daily walks in the park.”

Bowry will be remaining with the Robins for at least one more year after the club took up the option to extend his contract to a second season, after being impressed with his progress in 2019/20.

“I am delighted to be staying on here,” the 22-year-old said.

“It’s a great group of lads and staff here and an environment where I think I can grow and develop as a person and player.

“I am extremely grateful for the opportunity as lots of players could be out of contract this summer due to the virus.”

Former Charlton Athletic youngster Bowry’s development in his first year at Cheltenham included a loan spell at Bath City.

He produced some impressive performances for the National League South club, whose campaign was cut short by the pandemic.

“The loan spell was very positive as every week I was growing in confidence, developing and learning the importance of playing for three points,” Bowry said.

“It allowed me to establish myself at a competitive men’s level and exposed me to the demands of playing week in week out.”

Bath are managed by ex-robins full-back Jerry Gill, for whom Bowry thoroughly enjoyed playing.

“Jerry was great for me and we had a great relationship,” he said.

“He really helped me to express myself on the pitch as well as helping me with the defensive side of my game.

“I was delighted because from my first game we didn’t lose in about 14 games and overall for the rest of the season results were very consistent.”

Bowry continued to train with Cheltenham during his loan period and he praised the influence of Michael Duff, who played in the same position and climbed through the divisions to reach the Premier League.

“This season I’ve learnt the most in terms of specific details of defending,” Bowry said.

“The gaffer goes into deep detail and the fine margins that are needed for success. As a young defender it’s all I can ask for.

“The main goal is for the squad who have done so well this season to go and finish the job and get promotion,” Bowry said.

“If I was to make a contribution it’d be great, but my main goal now beyond this season is to establish myself as a first team player.”