HEREFORD FC manager Pete Beadle says he was not surprised that Jarrod Bowen made his Premier League debut for Hull City.

Bowen was with Beadle at Hereford United during the 2013/14 season and memorably scored the winning goal against Alfreton Town in the final home game.

The teenager has made a big impact with Hull's Under-21s and came on as a substitute for the Tigers in their 1-0 defeat at Watford last weekend.

"I was delighted that he got an opportunity on Saturday, because that's the first hurdle," said Beadle.

"If he can do that 19, then it should be only a matter of time before he gets a start.

"He's had to move away from home and has got a new life for himself – he is doing ever so well.

"He is a regular starter for the Under-21s/Under-23s and I have spoken to his dad Sam a few times."

Beadle added that Hull manager Mike Phelan has always been a big fan of Bowen's even when his predecessor Steve Bruce was in charge.

"With the way Jarrod has been brought up, he is not afraid of hard work and is more than capable of putting a shift in," said Beadle.

"He was one of those players that had a knack of knowing what he wants to do and had the right mentality.

"He played his first game at Barnet and did ok after then and managed to play a few more games.

"To score at home in front of a Meadow End and being a local boy meant a lot to him, something he will never forget."

One other player on Beadle's books at Hereford was Billy Murphy, who soon signed for Bristol City.

But the midfielder found himself out of favour with the Robins and now plays for Bath City in National League South.

"I think he can play at a higher level, but when Bristol City moved to the Championship and with a change of manager, I think they went down a different route," said Beadle.

"But Bath is a good club for him at the moment."