Josh Scowen - Player File from Chairboys on the Net

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JOSH
SCOWEN
(Midfielder)
Born: 28 Mar 1993
Where: Cheshunt

Joined Wycombe: From Youth Team - signed pro forms April 2011.
Wycombe Debut: Morecambe 0 Wycombe 3 - League Two - 26 Mar 2011
First Wycombe goal: Wycombe 2 Torquay 1 - League Two - 6 Oct 2012
Final Wycombe game: Wycombe 1 York City 0 - League Two - 10 Jan 2015
Left Wycombe: 15 Jan 2015 - Undisclosed fee to Barnsley
Returned to Wycombe: 29 June 2021 - Free transfer from Sunderland
Contracted until: June 2026 (assumed minimum)

Career summary at Wycombe.
178 appearances - 6 goals
Until end of 2022/23 season

*Career Details () indicates loan spell**
Date	Club	League Apps	League goals	Cup Apps	Cup Goals
2010/2011	Wycombe Wanderers	0(2)	0	0(0)	0
2011/2012	Wycombe Wanderers	0(0)	0	0(0)	0
2012/2013	Wycombe Wanderers	34(0)	1	2(0)	0
2013/2014	Wycombe Wanderers	36(1)	1	5(0)	0
2014/2015	Wycombe Wanderers	18(0)	1	2(0)	0
Jan15-Jun17	Barnsley	96	10	10	2
Jul17-Jan20	Q.P.R.	95	3	8	1
Jan20-Jun21	Sunderland	49	1	6	2
2021/2022	Wycombe Wanderers	36(1)	1	4(2)	0
2022/2023	Wycombe Wanderers	34(1)	2	0(0)	0

Background:

Product of the Wanderers youth system who made his First Team debut while still a Second Year Scholar, coming on as a substitute in the 3-0 victory at Morecambe in March 2011. Made one further substitute appearance that season and also signed his first pro deal in April 2011.

The following season on 21 October 2011 he agreed a three month loan deal with Southern Premier League side Hemel Hempstead Town - making his debut the following day in the FA Trophy 1st Qualifying Round tie against Croydon Athletic. Returned to Wycombe towards the end of January 2012 and featured for the Reserves as they reached and triumphed in the Final of the Berks & Bucks Senior Cup. Was also named on the subs bench for a couple of First Team League One games (including the final day game at Sheffield Wednesday) but didn't add to his appearance tally.

In August 2012. Scowen agreed a loan deal with Eastbourne Borough but he was recalled by Wycombe following the appointment of Gareth Ainsworth as Manager in September 2012 and immediately got his first start in the 3-0 defeat at Dagenham & Redbridge. After scoring his first senior goal in October 2012, he went on to command a regular place in the Wanderers First Team and consequently attracted the interest of higher placed clubs. In November 2012 he signed a contract extension with Wycombe running until June 2015. He commented at the time, "I’m happy to stay at Wycombe and I’m loving every minute of it. Obviously being down the bottom isn’t nice, but being in the blue shirt is good. The fans have been brilliant in every game I’ve played. They’re excellent, drive the boys on and keep us going."

In March 2014, during a difficult time for the Club as Wanderers faced the threat of relegation, press reports said that Scowen had turned down a loan deal to another club despite the Club Board initially accepting the deal.

He suffered a leg injury in a pre-season friednly away to Barnet on 2 August 2014 but returned in mid September 2014 to regain his regular role in the First Team.

His appearance against York City at Adams Park on 10th January 2015 was his 100th First Team appearance for the Wanderers. Meanwhile, his continiued impressive form in the Wanderers midfield meant that he had become hot property during the January 2015 transfer window, culminating in a move to 'League One' Barnsley being confirmed on 15th January 2015.

Wanderers had offered the 21 year old a new three year deal in an attempt to keep him at Adams Park but the player opted to join The Tykes on a two and a half year deal running until June 2017. Commenting on the move, Wanderers Manager Gareth Ainsworth said: "Nobody wanted to keep Josh at Wycombe more than I did, and we did everything we could to persuade him to stay, but it's difficult for us to compete with bigger clubs in higher divisions. It's been a pleasure to work with Josh and I'm proud of the giant steps he's taken in terms of his development from being a fringe player before my time here, to one of the division's top players. We wish him every success with his new club."

Although the fee was undisclosed at the time of the deal, Wanderers Chairman Andrew Howard revealed: "The money we have recouped for Josh helps to steady the ship and the long-term security of the club has to be our number one priority. The departure of Wasps Rugby Club from their tenancy of Adams Park hit us hard financially but this deal more than covers the losses which we incurred. We have every intention of moving up the leagues but we have to do it from a secure base. Josh is another fine example of a player who has learnt his trade at Wycombe Wanderers and I'm sure he will be extremely grateful to Gareth and the staff for giving him the chance to make it as a professional footballer."

The deal had been arranged in as little as one week after Scowen's agent rung him in the second week of January to inform him that Barnsley were interested. Scowen admitted that he had been "a bit scared of the move" as he had been at Wycombe a long time and this would be his first transfer. With Wanderers top of League Two at the time of the deal, Scowen said: "I put a lot of thought into this. But he had come up to see the facilities [on 14 January 2015] and in the end it was quite an easy choice. My girlfriend and I had a sit-down and think about it and agreed it was the right thing to do."

Barnsley boss, Danny Wilson, commenting on the signing said: "We've identified what we feel is one of the best players in the division. He's highly regarded by his team-mates and those he's played against this season. We're looking forward to working with him. He gives us tenacity and adds strength to the team. Looking at him, he's got the heart of a lion - that's what we need and what we want."

After time at Barnsley, QPR and Sunderland, on 29th June 2021 it was announced that Scowen was returing to Wycombe Wanderers on a free transfer following the expiry of his contract with then fellow League One side Sunderland. The now 28-year-old signed a two-year deal with Wanderers, returning to play again under Manager Gareth Ainsworth, who commented: “Josh is a player with real Championship pedigree and that’s exactly what we’re looking for here, so I’m delighted to bring him back. I was a big admirer of his when I saw him playing in our youth team all those years ago, and it’s been no surprise that he’s made his way up the ladder and spent much of his career in the Championship. Wycombe fans will remember Josh as being a real battler in midfield, someone who can win the ball and make things happen for us going forward, and he will play a big part in our efforts to have another successful season."

At the end of his first season back at Adams Park, Scowen won the Player of the Season award.

On 4th April 2023 is was announced that Scowen had extended his contract with Wycombe Wanderers for the 2023/24 season. Then on 31st October 2023, the Club made a special annoucement that Scowen had singed a new 'long-term' contract. This was assumed to be until at least June 2026, but was not clear, as per Club policy at the time. Commenting on the new deal, Manager Matt Bloomfield said: "Extending Josh’s contract is a real sign of our ambition and our desire to make this squad as strong as it can possibly be, so I’m delighted that we’ve been able to get the deal done. Josh is such an important member of this team, not just on the pitch with his performances, but he’s worn the captain’s armband in recent games and led by example in how he conducts himself." Bloomfield added: "I know he’s an extremely popular player with the fans and we love him just as much around the place. This is his club and he’s here to stay."

External links
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