 As well as carrying out his defensive duties in a consistent and dependable manner, Bowen was a threat going forward and in the 1989–90 season he finished as the team's joint top league goalscorer.That season, he also collected the Barry Butler memorial trophy when the supporters voted him Norwich City player of the year.On 8 April 1989, Bowen was involved in an unusual incident in a match against Coventry City at Highfield Road.