TSL: Jaye Bowden signs for Glenorchy in a major boost to the competition

A Tasmanian State League great is set to make a shock return to the competition as he looks to build on an already stunning legacy.

Glenorchy coach Josh Arnold and the returning Jaye Bowden.

Jaye Bowden is back at Glenorchy.

The Magpies legend has signed on with the Tasmanian State League club for the remainder of the 2024 season in a major boost to one of the state’s most famous clubs.

Bowden originally retired from the state competition at the end of 2020 and there had been talk earlier this year he would sign with a rival club.

But he will now look to his record at the club which includes 238 games, 545 goals and three premierships while earning the nickname the ‘Prince of KGV’.

In 2019, he became just the second player to kick 500 goals for the Magpies after the great Peter Hudson.

Since then, Bowden has lit up the Old Scholars Football Association with St Virgils booting 219 goals in 47 games, culminating in premiership success last season.

“We are really excited to see Jaye pull on the black and white again, this signifies a great moment for our club and the competition in the final year of the TSL,” a Glenorchy spokesperson said.

“Jaye has provided our magpie family with so many highlights over his outstanding career and it will be a pleasure for our boys to run out beside him at KGV once more.

“Jaye has demonstrated what it means to be successful as a player, coach and a person, his knowledge and leadership will be invaluable to our group.

“Regardless if you are a Pies supporter or not, seeing the best players out on the ground makes for entertaining football and we know Jaye will still provide plenty of entertainment.”

Jaye Bowden leaves the ground after his last game for Glenorchy back in 2020. Picture: Chris Kidd

Bowden debuted for Glenorchy’s senior team back in 2006 as a 17-year-old after playing his junior footy with Brighton.

When he departed the club in 2020, then president John McCann wrote an open letter to Bowden thanking him for his contribution to the club.

“The Bowden name has long been associated with the Glenorchy District Football Club,” Mr McCann wrote.

“Although Jaye took on the mantel of that greatly respected name and champion tradition from grandfather Roy, father Michael (and maternal grandfather Norm Handley) at KGV, he did it in his own way.

“Jaye has always been a thorough professional, going about the process of harnessing his great talents in an unassuming way to assist this Club to achieve great outcomes.

“Jaye loves the Club and has stayed incredibly loyal to it in the face of many lucrative offers elsewhere and of course the wearing down burden of injury.”