Robbie Fowler

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Robbie Fowler
Personal information
Full name Robert Bernard Fowler
Height 5 ft 9 in (1.76 m)
Position(s) Centre Forward
Team information
Current team
 Free Agent
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 17:51, 24 February 2007 (UTC)

Robert Bernard 'Robbie' Fowler, born 9 April 1975, and commonly known as "God" by Liverpool F.C. supporters [1] , is a respected English footballer who is was available on a free transfer after being released by Liverpool FC.However on 6 July 2007 he signed for Coca-Cola Championship side Cardiff City.

Fowler's career began with Liverpool, with whom he made his debut in 1993. Fowler scored 120 premiership goals for Liverpool in an eight year period. He subsequently played for Leeds United and Manchester City F.C., before returning to Liverpool in January 2006. As of May 2006, Fowler is the fourth highest goalscorer in Premier League history, behind Thierry Henry, Andy Cole and Alan Shearer.

He has been capped for England twenty-six times, scoring seven goals. The most recent of these appearances came in the 2002 World Cup.

Early life

Fowler was born Robbie Ryder[2] in Liverpool and brought up in the Toxteth area. He was present in the area at the age of 7 during the Toxteth riots. As a youngster he was an ardent Everton supporter, regularly travelling to Goodison Park. He played regularly for schoolboy team Thorvald, and once scored 16 times in a 26-0 rout[3]. He was selected for Liverpool Schoolboys from the age of 11 and was spotted by Liverpool scout Jim Aspinall. He began training with Liverpool once a week and signed schoolboy forms with the club. Two years later he signed on as a YTS trainee and he turned professional in April 1992 on his seventeenth birthday.

Football career

Liverpool

Fowler's first involvement with the Liverpool first team came on 13 January 1993, when he was an unused substitute in an FA Cup tie against Bolton. In the following close season, Fowler helped the England Under-18 team to win the 1993 European Championship, before making a scoring first-team debut in Liverpool's 3–1 win in a first round Coca Cola Cup tie at Fulham on 22 September 1993. Fowler scored all five goals in the second leg at Anfield two weeks later, making him the fourth player in Liverpool's history to score five in a senior fixture. He scored his first league hat-trick against Southampton in only his fifth league game. His first thirteen games for the club yielded twelve goals, and he was rewarded with an England Under-21 debut against San Marino in November 1993, in which he scored England's opening goal in the third minute. Fowler was unable to sustain his goal-a-game ratio throughout the season, but finished his first season as the club's leading scorer with eighteen goals in all competitions.

In the 1994-95 season, Fowler was an ever-present for Liverpool, playing in all of their 57 matches, including the victory in the 1995 League Cup final, and a match against Arsenal in which he scored a hat-trick in four minutes and thirty-three seconds,[4] a Premiership record. Fowler was voted the PFA Young Player of the Year in two consecutive years (in 1995 and 1996), a feat equalled only by Ryan Giggs and Wayne Rooney.

Throughout the mid and late 1990s, Fowler was widely considered to be the most natural finisher playing in England.[5] Fowler sealed this reputation as he scored more than thirty goals for three consecutive seasons, up to 1997. Stan Collymore, Fowler's old strike partner, said in his autobiography that Fowler was the best player he has ever played with. Fowler and Collymore were among the most lethal strike partnership in England during the 1995-96 season. In the same season he scored twice in a 4-3 victory over Newcastle, a match considered the best of the decade [6]

On the December the 14th 1996, he scored four against Middlesbrough F.C., the second of which reached a century of goals one game quicker than his mentor, Ian Rush. Also in 1996 Fowler received a call-up to the full England squad for the first time in 1996, winning his first cap on 27 March against Bulgaria as a substitute, and making his first start at international level in England's next match, against Croatia. Fowler was part of the England squad for Euro 96, making two appearances in the tournament.

In 1997, after scoring a goal in a Cup Winners' Cup game, he lifted his Liverpool shirt to reveal a T-shirt supporting sacked Liverpool dockers for which he picked up a fine, but greatly increased his popularity on Merseyside.[7] That year, he also won a UEFA Fair Play award for admitting that he had not been fouled by David Seaman at Highbury after a penalty had been given. After unsuccessfully trying to convince the referee to change his decision about the penalty Fowler took it tamely and Seaman saved, the ball rebounded however and Jason McAteer tucked it home.

Fowler was part of a group of Liverpool players from the mid-1990s who were nicknamed "The Spice Boys" by the press following a series of off-field controversies. The term was coined by the Daily Mail, and arose due to rumours that Fowler was dating Spice Girl Emma Bunton, which turned out not to be true.[8] The term was subsequently used in a derogatory manner, implying Fowler and colleagues such as Jamie Redknapp, Stan Collymore, David James and Steve McManaman were underachieving playboys. Liverpool's lack of trophies and a sense of unfulfilled potential during this period contributed to the Spice Boy myth.

Fowler's downturn in fortunes began in 1998, after a knee ligament injury kept him out of action for half the season and caused him to miss a chance to go to the 1998 World Cup. This also coincided with the rise of Michael Owen whose debut came in 1997, Owen firmly established himself in Fowler's absence.

In 1999, Fowler was fined £60,000 by Liverpool and the FA Premier League for bringing the game into disrepute after he had mimed snorting cocaine off the white line of the penalty area while celebrating his goal against Everton F.C. Defending himself, he said that he was getting back at Everton fans who had insulted him with false accusations of drug abuse. Fowler also received a four match suspension from the the FA for this incident. At the same FA disciplinary hearing, Fowler received a further two match suspension due to a separate incident in which he had taunted Chelsea defender Graeme Le Saux over rumours of the other player's sexuality, by waving his backside at him. The FA imposed a £32,000 fine for the two incidents.

Treble Season

The 2000-01 season was Robbie’s most successful season, He would appear in three finals scoring 17 goals and lifting three trophies in a unique Cup Treble. In the absence of Jamie Redknapp, who was out all season through injury, Fowler was named Liverpool Captain when starting. However he found himself third choice amongst the Liverpool Strikers, with Houllier favouring Michael Owen and Emile Heskey up front.

He did take part in a 4th Round League Cup hammering of Stoke City scoring a hat trick in an 8-0 victory en route to Liverpool’s first of three finals.

He captained the side against Birmingham, in the 2001 League Cup Final, the club's first final since 1996, he scored on thirty minutes and Liverpool went on to win the trophy on penalties. Fowler picked up the Alan Hardaker Man of the Match award and lifted the trophy.

Fowler’s season picked up from there as he scored several important goals including a memorable goal against Manchester United and a free kick in the FA Cup semi-final against Wycombe Wanderers.

He featured, but did not start in the 2001 FA Cup Final coming on as a 77th minute replacement for Vladimír Šmicer. Liverpool, who were 1-0 down at that point, eventually won the game 2-1 with two goals from Michael Owen. Fowler raised the trophy along with Sami Hyypiä and Jamie Redknapp.

Four days later he was a substitute again in Liverpool’s third final, the 2001 UEFA Cup Final against Alaves. He came on in the 65th minute for Emilie Heskey with the score at 3-3. He scored five minutes later but Alaves equalised before full time and Liverpool eventually won with a golden goal, an own goal, in the 116th minute. Fowler and Hyypia then raised Liverpool’s third trophy of the season together.

Liverpool’s next and final game of the season was against Charlton in which Fowler scored twice in a 4-0 victory that assured them Champions League qualification for next season.

End of First Liverpool Run

Fowler began the 2001-02 Season amidst controversy with then Liverpool manager Gérard Houllier when he was dropped from the entire squad for Liverpool's 2-1 victory in the 2001 Community Shield match against rivals Manchester United.[9] He did make an appearance in Liverpool's 3-2 victory over European Champions Bayern Munich[10]

In October 2001, he scored his first league hat-trick for three years, helping Liverpool beat Leicester City 4–1, but was dropped for the following league game. Speculation over Fowler's future had been around for most of Houllier's tenure and because a deep issue that divided Liverpool fans. [11] [12]

His last appearance in his first period at Liverpool was against Sunderland when he was substituted at half-time.

Leeds United

Despite his popularity with Liverpool fans, a combination of off-field controversy, disputes with Gérard Houllier and training ground arguments with then Assistant Manager Phil Thompson,[13] led to Fowler's departure to Leeds United F.C. Fowler maintains that Houllier forced him out of Liverpool, and has accused Houllier of pressuring the Liverpool Echo newspaper to use its influence to turn opinion against him.[14]

The transfer went ahead just one month after his hat-trick at Leicester with a fee of £11 million. He made his Leeds debut in an away game against Fulham, the same venue as his Liverpool debut. Fowler scored 12 goals in the remainder of the season, helping Leeds to a UEFA Cup qualifying place. Fowler was included in the England squad for the 2002 World Cup, but only made one appearance, coming on as substitute in a second round win over Denmark.

Fowler suffered an aggravation of a pre-existing hip injury in the 2002-03 pre-season, and did not recover until December. Struggling to gain fitness, and seeing team-mates sold off due to a financial crisis, Fowler's form and market value diminished. However, in total he scored 15 goals in 31 appearances for Leeds; a goal every two games.

Manchester City

In the 2002-03 season, Fowler was transferred to Manchester City following a protracted transfer saga. Fowler initially turned down the move, and dispute between Manchester City manager Kevin Keegan and chairman David Bernstein over whether the transfer should take place due to medical concerns resulted in Bernstein leaving the club. Following encouragement from Keegan, Fowler finally signed for Manchester City on 16 January 2003 for an initial fee of £3 million and a further £3 million dependent upon appearances. Bizarre transfer conditions meant Leeds United still paid a significant proportion of Fowler's wages. Fowler made his Manchester City debut against West Bromwich Albion on 1 February 2003, but made a poor start to his Manchester City career, scoring just two goals in the remainder of the season.

Fowler continued to struggle with fitness problems in the 2003-04 season, completing the full 90 minutes only nine times. The arrival of close friend Steve McManaman from Real Madrid gave hope, but the pair failed to rekindle their prolific partnership of yesteryear, and received much criticism from the fans and tabloids for their salaries and alleged excesses.[15] In 2004 Fowler, depressed by his lack of form and fitness, considered retiring, but was persuaded to carry on by Kevin Keegan and Stuart Pearce.[16] He then showed a marked improvement in the second half of the 2004–2005 season, scoring his 150th Premiership goal in the 3–2 win over Norwich on 28 February 2005. However, his failure to convert a 90th minute penalty kick against Middlesbrough in the final game of the season prevented Manchester City from entrance into the UEFA Cup. Fowler ended the season as the club's joint top goal scorer, and gained the approval of the fans, finishing in the top three in the fans' Player of the Year poll, described by Fowler as "one of the proudest achievements of my career".[17]

Fowler had injury problems at the start of the 2005-06 season, and rarely featured when fit, making just two substitute appearances in the first four months of the season. His first start of the season came against Scunthorpe in the FA Cup on 7 January 2006, in which he scored a hat-trick. The following week he scored Manchester City's third goal in their 3–1 win against local rivals Manchester United F.C. after coming on as substitute. His goal celebration against United would prove to have added significance in the following weeks. After scoring, he ran to the United supporters, holding up five fingers in reference to Liverpool's five European Cup wins, in comparison to United's two. However, Fowler made only one more appearance for Manchester City before returning to Liverpool on a free transfer.

Return to Liverpool

On 27 January 2006, Fowler rejoined Liverpool from Manchester City, signing a contract until the end of the season. His return was warmly welcomed amongst Liverpool fans, who still hold Fowler in high regard. Fowler remained a Liverpool fan after he left the club; he was in the Istanbul crowd when Liverpool won the Champions League in 2005. Upon his return to the club, he was unable to take the shirt number 9 (with which he had become so firmly associated in his first spell at Liverpool after inheriting it from the legendary Ian Rush), as it was then registered to Djibril Cissé; instead, he was given the number 11. However, for the 2006-07 season, with the departure of Cissé, he made the number 9 shirt his own once again.

Fowler's return against Birmingham City F.C. in February 2006 was labelled by the press as the stuff of fairytales, and he came on to a rapturous reception in his first appearance for Liverpool in four years. He almost claimed a shock goal to his name in that very match only for the referee to disallow the goal for offside. After his return, he had three goals ruled out for offside, before finally scoring on 15 March 2006 in a home game against Fulham, the same opponent club he scored his first ever goal against while on his Liverpool début 13 years earlier. Fowler's next Liverpool goal, against West Bromwich Albion, meant he overtook Kenny Dalglish in the club's all time top scorers, while he marked his 31st birthday with a goal against Bolton Wanderers. He made it four goals in five games when he scored the only goal in a 1-0 victory over Blackburn Rovers on April 16 2006.

One concern had been the striker's fitness. In March 2006, Rafael Benitez commented on how pleased he was with Fowler's work and progress adding, "to buy a Robbie Fowler who is fit and scoring goals would cost a lot, maybe £10m or more". Despite these concerns about his fitness, Fowler finished the 2005-6 season scoring on a more consistent basis than Liverpool's other strikers. In May 2006 he was offered a new one year contract with the club,[18] and celebrated by scoring the first goal in Liverpool's last league game of the season in a 3-1 away win at Portsmouth. It was his final game of the 2005-6 season, as he was unable to take part in the club's FA Cup Final success due to being cup-tied.

Last Liverpool Season

On the 25 October , 2006 Fowler was named as Liverpool's captain for the first time since his return in a League Cup tie against Reading Football Club he scored just before half-time and Liverpool won 4-3.

On 5 December , 2006, Robbie Fowler scored his first ever goal in the [19] UEFA Champions League group stages against Galatasaray (he had previously scored during an earlier tie some 6 years prior against FC Haka). Fowler then scored his second of the night in the 90th minute as Liverpool lost 3-2. On 24 February 2007 he scored 2 penalties against Sheffield United - Liverpool went on to win the match 4-0 with Sami Hyypiä and Steven Gerrard the other scorers. These two goals were his first in front of the Kop since his return to Liverpool.

On the 1st May 2007 he was a substitute in the UEFA Champions League Semi-Final against Chelsea FC brought on in the last few minutes of extra-time. He set up an attack for Dirk Kuyt but the shot went straight at the Chelsea keeper. The match went into a penalty shoot-out that Liverpool won. Fowler was due to take the fifth and final spot-kick, but the game had already ended when Dirk Kuyt slotted home his winning penalty.[20]

Rafa Benitez confirmed on May 11th 2007 that Fowler would be leaving at the end of the 2006-07 season. [21]

In what would turn out to be his last appearance for the club, against Charlton Athletic FC on 13 May 2007, Fowler was given the captain's armband one final time. He was substituted two minutes from the final whistle and given a standing ovation. Harry Kewell scored an equalising penalty to tie the match 2-2 for Liverpool in the 90th minute, which would have be taken by Fowler had he not been substituted. Regardless, the crowd still chanted his name as the match finished and applauded him for his years of service. He finished his second run as a Liverpool player with a UEFA Champions League runners up medal, however he was not named in either the starting eleven or the seven substitutes, he also scored 12 goals in 32 appearances. Over his two periods as a Liverpool player he scored 183 goals in 362 games. He became a free agent on 1 July 2007.

Outside football

Outside football, the Official British Horseracing website lists Fowler as a major celebrity race horse owner, citing his and best friend Steve McManaman's company, The Macca and Growler Partnership. In 2005, Fowler was listed as one of the 1,000 wealthiest Britons by the Sunday Times Rich List. Business interests including a large property portfolio have resulted in Fowler becoming the third wealthiest footballer,[22] in Britain, and led to the affectionate, Manchester city chant; 'We all live in a Robbie Fowler house'.[14]

On 2 September 2005 he released 'Fowler: My Autobiography', about his time as a footballer and the issues surrounding him. Since his transfer to Liverpool he has updated it and included a section about his return to Anfield. Excerpts published in newspapers included criticism of the England management.

Fowler married on 9 June 2001, in the town of Duns in the Scottish Borders.

On Soccer AM, whenever Robbie Fowler is mentioned, both Tim Lovejoy and Helen Chamberlain put their hands in the air as the word Hallelujah is played, in part due to Fowler being referred to by Liverpool fans as 'God', but also as the first person to achieve the Soccer AM hat-trick and appear on the show three times, whereby he and other celebrities are given a football signed by the whole crew.

Statistics

Club Performance
Club Season Premiership FA Cup League Cup Europe Others Total
App Goals App Goals App Goals App Goals App Goals App Goals
Liverpool F.C. 2006-07 12 3 0 0 3 2 2 2 0 0 16 7
2005-06 14 5 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 16 5
Manchester City F.C. 2005-06 4 1 1 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 4
2004-05 32 10 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 33 11
2003-04 31 7 4 1 2 1 4 1 0 0 41 10
2002-03 13 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 13 2
Leeds United A.F.C. 2002-03 8 2 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 10 2
2001-02 22 12 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 23 12
Liverpool F.C. 2001-02 10 3 0 0 0 0 7 1 0 0 17 4
2000-01 27 8 5 2 5 6 11 1 0 0 48 17
1999-00 14 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 14 3
1998-99 25 14 2 1 2 1 6 2 0 0 35 18
1997-98 20 9 1 0 4 3 3 1 0 0 28 13
1996-97 32 18 1 1 4 5 7 7 0 0 44 31
1995-96 38 28 7 6 4 2 4 0 0 0 53 36
1994-95 42 25 7 2 8 4 0 0 0 0 57 31
1993-94 28 12 1 0 5 6 0 0 0 0 34 18
Total 371 162 31 16 38 31 47 15 0 0 487 224

Honours

Liverpool
England
  • 1993 UEFA Under-18 Championship
Personal

Records

  • Fastest Premiership Hat-Trick (4 minutes 33 seconds v. Arsenal, 28 August 1994)

References

  1. ^ "GOD IS BACK - WHAT DO YOU THINK?". liverpoolfc.tv. Retrieved 2007-05-11. {{cite web}}: |first= missing |last= (help); Missing pipe in: |first= (help)CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  2. ^ http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N156263070702-1648.htm
  3. ^ http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N156263070702-1648.htm
  4. ^ Robbie Fowler and David Maddock (2005). Fowler: My Autobiography. Macmillan. p. 128. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |d= ignored (help)
  5. ^ "Gripping battle of the red predators". The Telegraph. Retrieved 19 June. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  6. ^ "10 YEARS AGO TODAY: MATCH OF THE DECADE". The Telegraph. Retrieved 23 April. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  7. ^ "Robbie Fowler - fined for supporting Liverpool dockers". libcom.org. Retrieved 3 May. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  8. ^ Fowler: My Autobiography, p171-173
  9. ^ "Fowler sweats on Anfield future". bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 2007-05-26. {{cite web}}: |first= missing |last= (help); Missing pipe in: |first= (help)CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  10. ^ "Liverpoolfc.tv : 2001-2002 : BAYERN MUNICH 2 - 3 LIVERPOOL". bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 2007-05-26. {{cite web}}: |first= missing |last= (help); Missing pipe in: |first= (help)CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  11. ^ "Is Fowler's Anfield future bleak?". bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 2007-05-26. {{cite web}}: |first= missing |last= (help); Missing pipe in: |first= (help)CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  12. ^ "Fowler divides Liverpool fans". bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 2007-05-26. {{cite web}}: |first= missing |last= (help); Missing pipe in: |first= (help)CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  13. ^ "Robbie Fowler". ESPN Soccernet. Retrieved September 10. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  14. ^ a b "Don't look back in anger". Observer Sport Monthly profile. Retrieved May 21. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  15. ^ "Spice Boy grows up". Guardian. Retrieved June 21. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  16. ^ Fowler: My Autobiography, p354-355
  17. ^ Fowler: My Autobiography, p347
  18. ^ "Fowler to sign new Liverpool deal". BBC News. Retrieved May 21. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  19. ^ Cheese, Caroline date=2006-12-05. "Clockwatch: Champions League". BBC Sport online. Retrieved 2007-02-24. {{cite web}}: Missing pipe in: |first= (help)CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  20. ^ "RAFA HAILS SPOT-KICK HERO ZENDEN". liverpoolfc.tv. Retrieved 2007-05-02. {{cite web}}: |first= missing |last= (help); Missing pipe in: |first= (help)CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  21. ^ "RAFA: I HOPE ROBBIE SCORES ON SUNDAY". liverpoolfc.tv. Retrieved 2007-05-11. {{cite web}}: |first= missing |last= (help); Missing pipe in: |first= (help)CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  22. ^ "Beckham tops football's rich list". BBC News. Retrieved December 6. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)

External links

Preceded by PFA Young Player of the Year
1995 and 1996 		Succeeded by


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