Fowler arrives in Australia ahead of A-League adventure

[MrsB]

guardian.co.uk (http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2009/mar/15/robbie-fowler-north-queensland-fury-arrives), Sunday 15 March 2009 11.32 GMT

• Striker meets media at poolside press conference
• New manager promises to ease him into Australian football

http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Football/Pix/pictures/2009/3/15/1237116603818/Robbie-Fowler-001.jpg

The former Liverpool and England striker Robbie Fowler has arrived in Australia to begin a two-year deal with North Queensland Fury in Australia and hopes the team, playing their first season in the A-League, will start winning straight away to increase the players' confidence.

"This is a brand new team and until all the players get together and we train day in, day out ... we will play a few games before the season we will see how it goes from that aspect," Fowler said at a poolside press conference in Townsville. "In terms of any football club you want to continue to win games. If you are winning games that breeds confidence and confidence helps you to do well in everything."

The 33-year-old Fowler, whose three-month contract with Blackburn Rovers expired in December, is one of the leading scorers in English top-flight football and the highest-profile former Premier League star to join the A-League.

Fowler plans to move his family to Townsville although a team official said that Fowler's wife and his children will not arrive until a later date, which is likely to be within a month. Pre-season training starts on 1 April with the league programme getting under way in August.

Fowler has not played since December and there were some concerns about a recurring hip problem but Fury's manager, the former Rangers midfielder Ian Ferguson, has no doubt Fowler will be ready to commit to full-scale preparation. "We had extensive medical tests done on Robbie prior to his signing and he'll start training with the rest of the squad on 1 April," Ferguson said. "Because of the heat and humidity we will ease him into the physical work with three days a week for the first month."

Fowler joined Liverpool straight out of school and remained with the club from 1993 until 2001, scoring 120 Premier League goals. He had stints at Leeds United and Manchester City before returning to Liverpool in 2006 and more recently, had brief spells at Cardiff City and Blackburn. He made 26 appearance for England, scoring seven goals.

Fowler said today he has no plans to seek the club captaincy. "It is not something I have thought about," he said. "The manager picks the captain and that is his job. I am not going to go up and ask him to be captain. He will see players on the training pitch then he will make that decision himself."

[Harv]

He's going to shed a few kg's up there :haha:

Cant wait to see him play when they come to Adelaide :rock:

[Prowl]

Hopefully i can get to see him play also.

[Shaggy]

Good luck to him, I hope he has a blast out there.

[Guest]

That's a massive boost for the Australian league. Arguably our greatest goalscorer is going to play there ... and he's still 33, he could basically play until 40 easily at this level if he remains fit.

[Harv]

That's a massive boost for the Australian league. Arguably our greatest goalscorer is going to play there ... and he's still 33, he could basically play until 40 easily at this level if he remains fit.

:haha: Not a chance, he will get kicked all over the place, as thats the only way teams here can defend:haha:

[Shaggy]

if he remains fit.

:grr:

[Guest]

:haha: Not a chance, he will get kicked all over the place, as thats the only way teams here can defend:haha:

:D

Never watched an aussie soccer match (despite being here for 9 months), so can't state for sure. :haha:

[MrsB]

http://www4.pictures.gi.zimbio.com/Robbie+Fowler+Media+Call+FYRk5kBstzsl.jpg

More pictures here: Robbie Fowler Media Call (http://www.zimbio.com/pictures/9-PlSURiMyw/Robbie+Fowler+Media+Call/FYRk5kBstzs)

[simey85]

Im heading to oz in october, think i'll persuade the lads to head to Townsville!

[peterstannard]

That's a massive boost for the Australian league. Arguably our greatest goalscorer is going to play there ... and he's still 33, he could basically play until 40 easily at this level if he remains fit.

I can't believe he's still only 33 (34 next month). It seems like a lifetime since he left us first time around.

[Matt]

Im heading to oz in october, think i'll persuade the lads to head to Townsville!

you wont need to persuade them much, townsville is the gateway to maggie island :rock:

I wouldn't mind getting hold of a Fury shirt if they're available.

[little dave hedgehog]

After arriving in Townsville on Sunday afternoon, North Queensland's marquee signing Robbie Fowler said he cannot wait to start pre-season training with the A-League's newest team.

Training does not officially get under way until May, but Fowler came to Australia earlier than expected and will be put to work by the Fury coaching staff immediately and begin his own conditioning in April.

"I am here early to make sure I get plenty of hard work in, starting on April 1, before the start of the next season (August)," Fowler said.

"The pre-season doesn't start until May, but I want to be ready for that too. I want to make sure I get everything right."

The ex-Liverpool striker arrived amidst much fanfare and delighted fans by posing for photos and signing whatever was presented to him.

He admitted that he did not expect such a strong reception, but was very appreciative of the support he received.

"I thought we'd come in low-key but it was fantastic," Fowler said.

"I couldn't have planned it better myself."

Despite being the one of the biggest names to ever grace the A-League, Fowler just wants to focus on football and avoid all the hype.

"It's a brand new team and a brand new squad that the manager's got together so obviously I'm really excited to be a part of it," he said.

"The fact that I can come here and play football in a lovely part of the world is a little bit special."

"But you obviously want to come here and do well for football reasons."

Playing in summer conditions is also something the 33-year-old will not be used to, but he has no fears and does not think it will pose a problem for him.

"I've played in all sorts of conditions during my career, not just the cold and the wet."


go on, robbie. make us proud!

[Shaggy]

Little Dave Hedgehog :rock: :rock:

We have a spud_gun here too! :rock:

One potato or two?

Two please.

No. One. :rock:

[little dave hedgehog]

why d'you think i chose the name? ;)

[little dave hedgehog]

i was finkin the uva day about baked beans.

what if there was just one bean?

then it would be a typo.

that's it, i wasn't finkin' anyfink else.

[Lee]

http://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/images/uploadedfiles/editorial/pictures/2009/07/05/robbie-fowler.jpg

Fitness not far off for frustrated Fowler

ANTONY STEWART

July 6th, 2009

IF the public have been disappointed by Robbie Fowler's absence from the playing field this pre-season, multiply that frustration by 100 for the man himself.

The superstar striker took a major step towards his Fury debut this week, stepping up his training regime as he continues to work on overcoming niggling leg injuries.

Fowler even has half an eye on North Queensland's next pre-season game in Perth, while conceding he would be 'distraught' to miss the club's A-League debut on August 8.

It's a much needed ray of hope for Fowler as lonely two and three-man 'injured squad' training sessions have dominated his routine since signing a two-year deal in February.

A professional who dominated the English Premier League with Liverpool, Manchester City and Leeds for more than a decade, he concedes setbacks come with the territory.

But that hasn't made it any easier for Fowler to watch on from the sidelines.

"You just can't put it into words how frustrating it is because it's not nice," he said.

"Any player will tell you that you go into any club and want to be firing on all cylinders straight away, you want to be involved in training, you want to be involved in games.

"Unfortunately I have had a bit of a niggle and it's just so frustrating. You want to go out and play straight away, but sometimes it's not possible."

The bulk of the frustration has come from the fact that Fowler's groin and hip injuries were first thought to be a one-to-two week issue, but the niggles have been ongoing.

It has even led to groundless speculation he may never play for North Queensland FC.

While Fowler admitted he would have to continue to manage the injuries, he reiterated the words from the day he signed with the Fury: "I'm not here for a holiday."

"I have come here and I want to enjoy my football and I want to play as much as anyone, but certain things dictate that sometimes you can't play.

"I'm prepared to work hard and get on that pitch, I'm not just here to enjoy the sun, it's pride in myself."

Next week Fowler is scheduled to join his teammates in full training for the first time since joining the camp on April 4.

But while eyeing off donning the green-and-white jersey for the first time in Perth in a little under two weeks, Fowler was also reluctant to make any guarantees.

NQFC medical staff are understood to have their sights on introducing the former England marksman for the Fury's final trial against Brisbane in Townsville on July 26.

"I'm happy with the way things are developing so far and fingers crossed I don't have any setbacks, because if it was up to me, I'd be playing tomorrow," Fowler said.

"But I'm gauging from other people who are looking at things in the long term.

"I want to be right before I start getting involved in games because if I'm going in and I'm not 100 per cent, then I'm leaving myself open for setbacks and I don't want that."

For Fowler, the big picture is August 8 against Sydney FC at Dairy Farmers Stadium. Watching from the stands is not a prospect he even wants to consider and he said tackling glamour boys Sydney in Townsville was looking extremely good.

"I have every confidence. It's about five weeks (until the A-League kicks off), I would be very, very disappointed if I'm not (playing)," the Liverpool legend said.

http://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/article/2009/07/06/62401_sport.html

Robbie :respect::respect::respect:

[Lee]

I can't believe a thread about Darius Vassell has had more views and posts than a Robbie Fowler thread.

:haha::jaw::shake::sigh::grr:

[Deano]

Tranny Rovers are after him

[shankly]

you wont need to persuade them much, townsville is the gateway to maggie island :rock:

I wouldn't mind getting hold of a Fury shirt if they're available.

$165 ozzie dollars though, way too steep for a shite reebok shirt

http://shop.nqfury.com.au/ProductInfo.asp?PRODUCTID=852

[Shanks]

Scores!

North Queensland Fury 1 Wolves 2

Fowler, who came on as a 55th minute substitute for Daniel McBreen, sent goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey the wrong way from the spot.

[Shaggy]

Fucking sub for that lot? I take it he's not fully fit yet?

[Shanks]

Fucking sub for that lot? I take it he's not fully fit yet?

Blackburn, last year was the last he played I think?

[carty1976]

Fitness is the issue, their calling him Blobby Fowler (even I laughed at that tag line)
http://tinyurl.com/kqc8rc

[Lee]

Fitness is the issue, their calling him Blobby Fowler (even I laughed at that tag line)
http://tinyurl.com/kqc8rc

:shake:

Fuck me. As we all know, he's not exactly ripped - but blobbie?! Fuckabout

[Guest]

Blobbie :haha::haha: Typical Australian stuff. :haha:

[Harv]

Blobbie :haha::haha: Typical Australian stuff. :haha:

:eyebrow: Thats an English paper der brain

He's a fucking tank

[tsb]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_MV0f81sxc&feature=player_embedded#

Scored a header

[pondus]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_MV0f81sxc&feature=player_embedded#

Scored a header

Great pass in the build up to the first goal as well :rock:

[Fernandinho]

Yeah im loving Fowler more and more by the minute, despite playing for the team who beat Sydney on the weekend he is an invaluable asset to the A-League, getting coverage overseas like on some random Liverpool forum :D

[IN_RAFA_WE_TRUST]

we want fush and chups leds

:haha: wtf

[Darkon]

Read today that Fowler is ending his footballing now and going back to England to finish some training courses, and it's because of the family he is returning.

Reckon he is coming back to us for some youth coaching or something?

[Fernandinho]

Fowler :respect: Did a lot for the game down here.