By Chris O'Brien
March 21 2004

Cardiff City duo Jason Bowen and Mark Bonner have been told by Lennie Lawrence that they are free to join new clubs whenever the want. Both players have contributed an awful lot over the past few seasons, but have sadly become surplus to requirements at Ninian Park.

Cardiff City boss Lennie Lawrence has informed out-of-favour midfield duo Jason Bowen and Mark Bonner that they are free to leave the club for new company whenever they want.

The duo are two of many City players who are out of contract at the end of the season, and with the club currently owing debts of £21million and rising, the news of Bowen and Bonner being axed comes and no surprise and more players leaving at the end of the season is inevitable.

Defensive midfielder Mark Bonner has given good service to the Bluebirds since his free transfer from Blackpool during the pre-season of the 1998/1999 campaign. He has made over 150 appearances in the City jersey and played important roles in 3 promotions in 1999, 2001 and 2003. The 29-year-old enjoyed a brief spell in the first-team earlier in the season, but he has been struggling to get into contention for a place in the starting line-up recently. Yeovil Town have been linked with Bonner for a while, so a move to the ambitious West Country outfit in the near future would not come as a huge surprise.

Jason Bowen is regarded by many City supporters as one of the most talented players the club possesses. Sadly, a series of niggling injuries and the Welsh international failing to find consistency during his 5 years at the club have meant the skilful attacking-minded player, who is very versatile in midfield and forward positions, hasn't fulfilled his potential. Former boss Alan Cork once said he believed Bowen had what it took to play in the Premiership, and had he consistently performed like we all know he can do, then I believe this statement was a realistic one.

Bowen has also made over 150 appearances since signing for the Bluebirds from Reading in January 1999, and was one of a few shining lights in the squad that got relegated that season. The 32-year-old was a regular in the team that gained promotion from the Third Division in 2001 and the play-off losing side the following season. Injuries meant he didn't hold down a place in the first-team for long periods, and the Merthyr-born player has only appeared 4 times this season, twice in the League Cup and twice in the First Division. He started his career at Swansea City and a move back to our arch-rivals wouldn't surprise me, although there is likely to be a lot of interest from Football League clubs to snap him up on a free.

The midfield pair have contributed one hell of a lot to the team over the past few years, and I will have fond memories of both, particularly Jason Bowen who has always been one of my favourite players in the squad. Good luck to both players, wherever the future lies.