Gareth Owen (footballer Born 1982)

Gareth Owen (footballer Born 1982)

Gareth David Owen (born 21 September 1982) is an English-born Welsh who plays as a defender for League Two side Port Vale. He also serves as coach of the club's reserve team. Owen qualifies to play for the Wales national football team through his Welsh mother and has represented Wales at under-19 level.

He began his career at Stoke City, signing as a professional in August 2001. He made his first team debut in the 2003–04 season, also spending time on loan at Oldham Athletic. He spent part of 2004–05 on loan at Torquay United, before returning on loan at Oldham. His loan deal was made permanent in the summer for a £50,000 fee, though he did not find success in the 2005–06 campaign. He spent the 2006–07 season on loan at Stockport County, and was voted the club's Player of the Season, after which he joined Stockport permanently, and was installed as club captain. Following a successful 2007–08 season, he joined Yeovil Town on loan in October 2008, having fell out with the management at Stockport. He then joined Port Vale on a loan deal that was made permanent in January 2009. He was a key member of the first team in 2009–10 and 2010–11, and was also appointed as the club's reserve team manager for the 2011–12 season.