Shepherd: Signing Bowyer was a Gamble
By Matthew Jones
June 1 2003
Newcastle United chairman Freddy Shepherd has today admitted signing Lee Bowyer was and is "a gamble". Bowyer signed for Newcastle on a free transfer after West Ham United were relegated from the Premiership.
We know that Lee Bowyer joined St James' Park after failing to help West Ham avoid relegation to Division One, and we know that it was Shepherd who sealed the deal after flying to London to beat rivals for his signature.
Newcastle United chairman Freddy Shepherd has today admitted that signing Lee Bowyer is "a gamble".
Shepherd told the Sunday Mirror: "I knew it was a gamble - arguably one of the biggest I have taken on signing a player.
"But when we weighed up the pros and cons we decided Lee's abilities as a footballer meant signing him was a risk worth taking."