Lloyd Owusu

Lloyd Magnus Owusu (born 12 December 1976) is a retired professional footballer who last played for Hakoah Sydney City East in the NSW State League Division One, Sydney, Australia. After a move from non-League Slough Town, his career took off at Brentford, where he scored 64 goals in 163 league games between 1998 and 2002. He then moved to Sheffield Wednesday, and two years later transferred to Reading following a short loan spell. He returned to Brentford in 2005, and two years later signed with Yeovil Town. In 2008, he moved to Cheltenham Town, and also had a loan spell at Brighton & Hove Albion the following year.

Lloyd Owusu
Owusu playing for Adelaide United Youth in 2009
Personal information
Full name Lloyd Magnus Owusu[1]
Date of birth (1976-12-12) 12 December 1976
Place of birth Slough, England
Position(s) Striker
Youth career
Slough Town
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1997–1998 Slough Town 47 (18)
1998–2002 Brentford 163 (64)
2002–2004 Sheffield Wednesday 51 (10)
2003–2004 → Reading (loan) 12 (4)
2004–2005 Reading 29 (6)
2005–2007 Brentford 49 (12)
2007–2008 Yeovil Town 47 (12)
2008–2009 Cheltenham Town 18 (7)
2009 → Brighton & Hove Albion (loan) 14 (7)
2009–2010 Adelaide United 16 (1)
2011 Luton Town 15 (7)
2011 AEP Paphos 0 (0)
2011 Barnet 5 (0)
2011 → Hayes & Yeading United (loan) 4 (0)
2012 Slough Town 6 (2)
2012–2013 White City 42 (26)
2014 Hakoah Sydney City East 23 (18)
2015–2016 Rydalmere Lions 34 (18)
2017 Stanmore Hawks 12 (6)
Total 587 (218)
National team
2005 Ghana 4 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

In 2009, he moved Australia to play for Adelaide United, but left the club in December 2010. Following this he spent a brief period with Luton Town back in England, before heading to Cyprus to play for AEP Paphos. He then returned to England having spells at Barnet and a loan spell at Hayes & Yeading United. In February 2012, he made a nostalgic return to his first club Slough Town to try to help them achieve promotion from the Southern Football League Division One Central.

Born in England, he represented Ghana at international level.

Playing career

Owusu started his career at non-league side Slough Town before being signed by then–Brentford manager Ron Noades in 1998. Owusu was an instant success, scoring 25 goals in all competitions, leading the Third Division scoring charts.

He was less successful in the 1999–2000 campaign, scoring 14 goals in all competitions.

During the 2000–01 season, he scored 12 goals in 34 games.

He returned to form with a bang in 2001–02, scoring 22 goals – one of these came against Blackpool in a 3–1 win on March, winning him a Goal of the Month award.[2] His excellent form helped the Bees to reach the Second Division play-off final at the Millennium Stadium, where they lost 2–0 to Stoke City. K Out of contact Owusu was targeted by Oldham Athletic and Crystal Palace,[3] but instead signed to Championship side Sheffield Wednesday on a three-year deal.[4] Lloyd became an instant Wednesday hero when after sixty seconds into his debut as a substitute in a fierce derby match against Sheffield United, he placed a header past Blades keeper Paddy Kenny for the opening goal of a 2–0 win.[5] However, he did not really break into the first team, starting the majority of his 33 appearances from the bench in the 2002–03 season, finishing the season with a disappointing total of four goals.

He continued to be used sparingly in the 2003–04 season, and was signed on loan by Steve Coppell's Reading in December 2003.[6] He enjoyed his time at the Madejski Stadium,[7] and was eager to join the Royals permanently so as to secure regular first team football.[8] He got his wish as the loan move became permanent in the summer of 2004, Reading paying the Owls an undisclosed fee.[9]

In the 2004–05 season, Owusu finished with an impressive record of six goals in fourteen league starts, though once again he was mostly a substitute player.

Brentford manager Martin Allen signed Owusu on a free transfer in the summer of 2005, handing Owusu a two-year contract he stressed that Owusu was signed not due to his popularity at the club but on footballing ability alone.[10] He scored fourteen goals in 42 games in all competitions in 2005–06.

He missed most of the 2006–07 season with injury, and had to undergo multiple operations. Owusu finally made his comeback for Brentford against Rotherham in a 1–0 defeat at Griffin Park on 17 March 2007, nearly scoring with his first touch. His comeback was to prove short-lived though, as he was released two months later.[11]

In July 2007 he signed a one-year contract with Russell Slade's Yeovil Town.[12] Top-scorer in his first season at the club, he announced he was happy to continue at Huish Park despite interest from other clubs.[13]

However, in September 2008, Owusu joined League One side Cheltenham Town for free, on a one-year deal.[14] In March 2009, Cheltenham allowed to Owusu to join Brighton & Hove Albion on loan until the end of the season after the club were forced to cut costs.[15] Owusu scored seven goals in fourteen league appearances for Brighton, ensuring they avoided relegation from League One and as a result he was named as the League One Player of the Month for April 2009.[16] Seventeen Brighton players were out of contact at the season's end, however Owusu was one of only three of these players to be offered a new contract.[17] He did not accept the offer.

In June 2009, Owusu signed for Australian A-League side Adelaide United on a two-year deal.[18][19] His new career at the Australian club was dealt a blow when his pre-season conditioning was hampered by the contraction of swine flu and pneumonia.[20] He made his debut for the Australian club on 21 August 2009, as a 58th-minute substitute for Daniel Mullen.[21] He scored his first goal for Adelaide in a 3–3 draw to North Queensland at Hindmarsh Stadium the following week.[22]

After a poor season and being dropped to the youth team, Owusu went for a one-week trial for Chinese Super League club Guangzhou Evergrande.[23] Owusu failed to make an impact at Adelaide and had his contract terminated by mutual consent at the end of December 2010.[24] He quickly returned to England to join League Two club Port Vale on trial.[25] Port Vale wished to sign him in early January 2011, but came up against registration issues with Adelaide.[26] New manager Jim Gannon then said that he would not be signing Owusu.[27]

Owusu was linked with League Two side Gillingham in mid-January 2011, but he instead opted to sign for Conference Premier side Luton Town on 18 January, signing a contract until May 2011.[28][29] He made his debut and scored his first goal for the club that evening in a 5–0 victory against York City.[30] On 2 June 2011, Owusu was released by Luton. He had made 15 appearances, scoring 7 goals.[31]

He began the 2011–12 season training with Micky Adams' Port Vale.[32] However, he again left the UK, this time settling with AEP Paphos in the Cypriot Second Division.[33]

On 12 September 2011, Owusu returned to England and signed for League Two side Barnet on a short-term deal.[34] He made his debut the following day coming on as sub for Charlie Taylor in the 2–0 home win over Plymouth Argyle.

On 4 November 2011, Owusu joined Conference Premier side Hayes & Yeading United on a one-month loan deal. On 15 December 2011, soon after he returned from this loan spell, it was reported that he had left Barnet at the expiry of his contract.[35]

On 23 March 2012, Owusu returned to Australia to join FFSA Premier League side White City Woodville.[36]

On 15 November 2012, it was announced that Owusu would be signing a one-year-deal to join Indonesian Super League side Pelita Bandung Raya as assistant manager and player. However, this transfer fell through.

Upon returning to Australia, he signed for Hakoah Sydney City East FC in the NSW State League Division One. Here, he helped the club to a Round of 32 position in the inaugural FFA Cup where they lost to Palm Beach SC from Queensland.[37] In his only season for Hakoah, Owusu would go on to score 18 goals in 23 league appearances for the club, helping them win promotion to the National Premier Leagues NSW 2.[38]

International career

Owusu earned his first cap for Ghana in 2005, and was hopeful of playing in the 2006 FIFA World Cup, the first World Cup which his country had qualified for. However, on 26 April, in a rare appearance for Ghana, Owusu tore a groin muscle in a friendly match against VfB Stuttgart.[39] As a result, he was out injured for the World Cup, and so was not selected in the Ghana squad.

In January 2015, he announced his retirement aged 38 after a career spanning 17 years.[40]

Coaching career

Following the announcement of his retirement as a player, Lloyd Owusu joined the International Football School, Australia located in Kariong, New South Wales After his professional career, he has commenced coaching at Cranbrook School in Sydney, Australia.[41]

Personal life

In his free time, Owusu is a teacher,teaching many school kids, even those with a disability, which makes him a very well liked figure among the community.[42] He is cousins with professional footballer Derek Asamoah.[43] He has since sought permanent residence in Australia.[40]

Honours

Brentford

References
  1. Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2009). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2009–10. Mainstream Publishing. p. 322. ISBN 978-1-84596-474-0.
  2. "Owusu pockets award". BBC Sport. 19 April 2002. Retrieved 31 December 2010.
  3. "Oldham keen on Owusu". BBC Sport. 22 May 2002. Retrieved 31 December 2010.
  4. "Wednesday land Owusu". BBC Sport. 3 July 2002. Retrieved 31 December 2010.
  5. "Owusu an instant hero". BBC Sport. 1 September 2002. Retrieved 31 December 2010.
  6. "Reading move for Owusu". BBC Sport. 23 December 2003. Retrieved 31 December 2010.
  7. "Owusu's Royals request". BBC Sport. 4 February 2004. Retrieved 31 December 2010.
  8. "Owusu keen on Reading move". BBC Sport. 1 March 2004. Retrieved 31 December 2010.
  9. "Owusu set to join Reading". BBC Sport. 11 March 2004. Retrieved 31 December 2010.
  10. "Owusu agrees return to Brentford". BBC Sport. 27 June 2005. Retrieved 31 December 2010.
  11. "Bees sign Mackie after clear-out". BBC Sport. 16 May 2007. Retrieved 31 December 2010.
  12. "Yeovil put seal on Owusu signing". BBC Sport. 6 July 2007. Retrieved 31 December 2010.
  13. "Owusu accepts contract extension". BBC Sport. 18 June 2008. Retrieved 31 December 2010.
  14. "Cheltenham snap up striker Owusu". BBC Sport. 1 September 2008. Retrieved 31 December 2010.
  15. "Seagulls swoop for striker Owusu". BBC Sport. 2 March 2009. Retrieved 31 December 2010.
  16. Owusu Scoops League One Award, Seagulls World, 7 May 2009. Retrieved 8 May 2009
  17. "Fourteen let go in Brighton cull". BBC Sport. 12 May 2009. Retrieved 31 December 2010.
  18. "Owusu completes Adelaide transfer". BBC Sport. 4 June 2009. Retrieved 31 December 2010.
  19. "United signs Owusu". A-League. 4 June 2009. Archived from the original on 3 March 2011. Retrieved 4 June 2009.
  20. "Owusu diagnosed with swine flu". Adelaide United FC. A-League. 17 July 2009. Archived from the original on 2 April 2011. Retrieved 5 August 2009.
  21. "Reds grounded by Gold Coast United". Adelaide United FC. A-League. 21 August 2009. Archived from the original on 12 April 2011. Retrieved 22 August 2009.
  22. "Adelaide United perform great escape against Fury". Adelaide United FC. A-League. 28 August 2009. Archived from the original on 12 April 2011. Retrieved 31 August 2009.
  23. Migliaccio, Val (25 January 2010). "United's Owusu heads to China". The Advertiser. Archived from the original on 29 January 2010.
  24. "Sukha Off Hook, Victory Lose Rica". au.fourfourtwo.com. 1 November 2010. Archived from the original on 1 October 2012. Retrieved 31 December 2010.
  25. "Port Vale: I should decide on new boss, insists Chaudry". The Sentinel. 31 December 2010. Retrieved 31 December 2010.
  26. Shaw, Steve (5 January 2011). "Port Vale: Gannon to the fore as Trollope turns back on Vale". The Sentinel. Archived from the original on 5 May 2013. Retrieved 5 January 2011.
  27. Shaw, Steve (10 January 2011). "Port Vale: Jim Gannon looks to bolster Vale midfield". The Sentinel. Retrieved 10 January 2011.
  28. Cawdell, Luke (16 January 2011). "Gillingham set to bring in former Brentford and Sheffield Wednesday striker Lloyd Owusu on trial". Kent Online. Retrieved 18 January 2011.
  29. "Luton Town sign up striker Lloyd Owusu until June". BBC Sport. 18 January 2011. Retrieved 18 January 2011.
  30. "Luton Town 5–0 York City". BBC Sport. 18 January 2011. Retrieved 19 January 2011.
  31. "Luton Town to release Lloyd Owusu and Adam Newton". BBC Sport. 2 June 2011. Retrieved 2 June 2011.
  32. "Port Vale: Owusu in second bid to seal Vale deal". The Sentinel. 8 July 2011. Retrieved 8 July 2011.
  33. "Striker Lloyd Owusu seals Cyprus move". ghanasoccernet.com. 24 July 2011. Retrieved 2 August 2011.
  34. "Barnet sign striker Lloyd Owusu". BBC Sport. 12 September 2011. Retrieved 12 September 2011.
  35. "Kabba has op". Barnet F.C. 15 December 2011. Retrieved 27 December 2011.
  36. "White City recruits Reds star". Where I Live. Archived from the original on 28 March 2012. Retrieved 19 October 2015.
  37. Strachen, Iain (19 August 2014). "Sharks prevail over City in Sydney". Football Federation Australia. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 26 February 2015.
  38. "Hakoah crowned State League champs". Australian Jewish News. 24 September 2014. Retrieved 26 February 2015.
  39. "Injury ends Owusu's World Cup bid". BBC Sport. 27 April 2006. Retrieved 31 December 2010.
  40. Chapman, Mark (29 January 2015). "Lloyd Owusu retires". Brentford Football Club. Retrieved 26 February 2015.
  42. Migliaccio, Val (21 April 2010). "Owusu tunes up for new season". adelaidenow.com.au. Archived from the original on 23 January 2011. Retrieved 31 December 2010.
  43. No Cookies | The Advertiser
  44. "Games played by Lloyd Owusu in 1998/1999". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 January 2016.
  45. "Vale vault Brentford to lift Vans trophy". BBC. 22 April 2001. Retrieved 13 January 2016.
  46. "Lloyd Owusu to be inducted into the Brentford FC Hall of Fame". www.brentfordfc.co.uk. Retrieved 13 January 2016.
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