Norwich City legend Mark Bowen hit with FA betting charge

The 60-year-old Welshman is alleged to have placed bets on 95 bets on football matches between April 19, 2022 and January 14, 2024. 

Bowen made 399 appearances and scored 27 goals for City between 1987 and 1996, placing him in the club's all-time appearances list.

The former left-back is currently head of football operations at League One side Reading.

The FA has said that none of the alleged offences were connected to games involving the Berkshire club.

Bowen scored the winning goal in Norwich's famous UEFA Cup win at Bayern Munich in 1993 and only goalkeeper Bryan Gunn (304) has made more top-flight appearances for the club than his 289.

The former Wales international enjoyed an extensive coaching career as assistant to Mark Hughes at clubs including Blackburn, Fulham, Manchester City and Stoke.

Former Norwich City player Mark Bowen (Image: Newsquest)

He joined Reading in March 2019 initially as a consultant but then as sporting director before taking over as manager in October of that year.

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Bowen led the Royals to mid-table safety but lost his job in August 2020 and opted not to remain as sporting director.

He returned to action as manager of AFC Wimbledon in March 2022 but couldn't prevent League One relegation and rejoined Reading as head of football operations that summer.

Mark Bowen celebrates scoring for Norwich at Bayern Munich in 1993

Championship relegation amid a financial crisis followed and the Royals rallied to avoid a second successive relegation last season, finishing 17th in the third tier.

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Under FA regulations all players, coaches and officials connected with clubs in the top eight tiers of English football are prohibited from gambling on matches played worldwide.

Reading and Bowen are yet to issue a public response. He has until Friday, June 7 to respond to the FA charge.

If found guilty, he could face a ban from the game similar to that of Brentford striker Ivan Toney, who was banned for eight months and fined £50,000 last May after 232 betting breaches.