AFC Bournemouth
In years to come, it could be one for Question of Sport – which player made his Premier League debut and National League debut in the space of 18 days?
The milestones keep coming for AFC Bournemouth’s teenage defender Owen Bevan who made his bow for loan club Yeovil Town in their 1-1 draw against Eastleigh on Tuesday.
His appearance at Silverlake Stadium came fewer than three weeks after the central defender had won his spurs in the top flight during the Cherries’ defeat by Liverpool at Anfield.
The latest feather in Bevan’s cap has seen him named in a Wales under-21 squad for a four-day training camp which takes place ahead of a friendly against Austria later this month.
Bevan will head to the Vale of Glamorgan on Wednesday 21st September and will be hoping to catch the eye before the coaching staff pick their team for the game in Vienna on Tuesday 27th September.
Born in Winchester, Bevan qualifies for Wales through his mother Katie and will have his first involvement with the under-21s having been capped at under-16, under-17 and under-19 level.
Bevan told afcb.co.uk: “I’ve been hoping to get involved with the under-21s for a while and I’m delighted to have been included in the training camp. I’m looking forward to showcasing what I can do.
“We’re training for the first three days and there’s a game on the Saturday when I think a few of the first-team coaching staff are going to be watching so, hopefully, I can impress.”
Bevan captained the Cherries under-18s to the EFL Youth Alliance title last season before going on to have a fruitful loan spell in the Southern League with Truro City.
He trained with the first-team squad during pre-season and featured in the friendly against Real Sociedad before coming off the bench to replace Chris Mepham at Anfield.
His deadline-day loan move to Yeovil saw him link up with Glovers boss Chris Hargreaves, first-team coach under Eddie Howe at Vitality Stadium in 2013/14, and former teammate Jake Scrimshaw.
Bevan added: “I never dreamed I would make my Premier League debut this season but I’m a big believer in being ready for every opportunity. I think I was ready and it was an amazing experience.
“Truro gave me my first taste of men’s football and it showed me the ugly side of the game. I really enjoyed my time there and I think it helped me and brought me on.
“I had a call from (loans manager) Carl Fletcher on deadline day to say the Yeovil move was there if I wanted it and I jumped at the chance. Playing men’s football at whatever level is key for a specialist centre-back like me.
“I’ve enjoyed working with Chris Hargreaves. They like to play football which is something I’ve done my whole life so I’m enjoying that.
“I knew Scrimmy had the option of going there before me so having him there has been good. It’s always nice to see a familiar face and we’re both enjoying it.
“I just want to play as many games as I can and get all the different experiences. I need to be playing men’s football, getting myself out there and working on different sides to my game.”
The Bevan family had further cause to celebrate during the summer when Owen’s older brother Taylor won a silver medal in boxing at the Commonwealth Games.
“He’s worked so hard for everything he’s achieved,” said Owen. “He had been working towards the Commonwealth Games for four years so I was really proud to see his hard work pay off.
“He’s training with the GB squad in Sheffield at the moment. He’s working towards the next tournament and then, hopefully, the Olympics in Paris in 2024.”
