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Robbie Fowler signs with North Queensland Fury

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Ryan

Ryan

The Prophet
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Robbie Fowler joins North Queensland Fury

February 04, 2009
LIVERPOOL legend Robbie Fowler has ended an anxious wait for A-League newcomers North Queensland Fury and agreed to become their inaugural marquee player.

The Fury have been sweating on an answer since Fowler returned to England on January 22 to discuss a potential move to Australia with his family after spending a week in Townsville.

Fowler will join the club for the 2009-2010 and 2010-2011 seasons.

Fowler is looking forward to taking a new path in his football career with North Queensland Fury FC in its historic entry into the Hyundai A-League.

"I had nothing but good things to tell my family about the football side of things and the lifestyle opportunities North Queensland can offer us," Fowler said.

"From a football perspective everything Fury coach Ian Ferguson put on the table and showed me was first class and the enthusiasm and drive of everyone at the club is fantastic.

"It’s a huge decision for my family, but it’s also an opportunity to continue my football career in a truly wonderful part of the world.

Fury FC chairman Don Matheson said Fowler’s signing was a clear signal to other A-League clubs that North Queensland wants to taste success on the pitch in its debut season.

"We want to win games – that’s what we’re about," Matheson said.

"Robbie is a legitimate international super star of the game and there’s no doubt he will give us every chance of winning.

"It’s taken a lot of work to make this happen, but it was worth it to because I really believe having him playing for North Queensland Fury FC will change the way people think about the Hyundai A-League."

Fury FC coach Ian Ferguson said having the former international striker on board was a huge boost for the team.

"I’ve admired him as a player for a long time and it’s just fantastic to have him signed," Ferguson said.

"Robbie is more than just a goalscorer – although he certainly knows where the net is – he links up play and he knows how to position himself to get other players involved.

"I knew he was serious about our offer when he came to Townsville. There was a real commitment shown by flying out to meet personally with us and to see the facilities and the lifestyle we’re able to offer him and his family."

Football Federation Australia CEO Ben Buckley hailed the arrival of the striker known as "God" by Liverpool fans.

"Robbie Fowler is one of the best known names in football with a wonderful record playing for both Liverpool and England," he said.

"It's terrific to welcome him to the A-League and particularly to one of our newest clubs."

Fowler is hugely popular but has also had his share of controversy.

He made world headlines in 1999 when he responded to Everton taunts by mimicking cocaine snorting on the goal-line during a goal celebration in a Merseyside derby.

Fowler will become the third high-profile English Premier League star to play in the A-League, following Dwight Yorke and Juninho's stints with Sydney FC.

Sydney almost lured Fowler to Australia in 2007 but the deal
Click to expand...

Townsville is a shithole. Of all the places he could have ended up.
 
Good luck to him, should score a few goals there. Your in australia arn't you? The club he joined any good? Or have they just offered him a decent wage to spend a few years in The Lying Rag
 
[quote author=axl27 link=topic=31061.msg796173#msg796173 date=1233719793]
Good luck to him, should score a few goals there. Your in australia arn't you? The club he joined any good? Or have they just offered him a decent wage to spend a few years in The Lying Rag
[/quote]

They're a brand new club mate, and only enter the A-League next season.

God knows how they'll do, but I suspect not very well.
 
So it is just a bit of a pay day then, ah well I'm sure there are worse places to spend your retiring years
 
[quote author=axl27 link=topic=31061.msg796186#msg796186 date=1233721642]
So it is just a bit of a pay day then, ah well I'm sure there are worse places to spend your retiring years
[/quote]

He'd be getting decent money. As their marquee player, they can pretty much pay him what they like as each club is allowed to have one per squad.

I suspect he's probably just looking forward to playing again, it's not like he needs the $.
 
I'm really surprised that he signed with Townsville.
It is a town that has a university, an army base, and nowt much else besides being close to the reef.

I suppose it could have been worse, he might have ended up in Adelaide.
 
[quote author=Marquis link=topic=31061.msg796189#msg796189 date=1233722177]
I'm really surprised that he signed with Townsville.
It is a town that has a university, an army base, and nowt much else besides being close to the reef.

I suppose it could have been worse, he might have ended up in Adelaide.
[/quote]

Whilst Townsville is indeed a shithole, it's one of the few in that area that are. I'm sure he's not gonna be living downtown amongst the aboriginals now is he? That whole coastline is stunning, no doubt he'll find himself somewhere pretty.
 
[quote author=Ryan link=topic=31061.msg796190#msg796190 date=1233722322]
[quote author=Marquis link=topic=31061.msg796189#msg796189 date=1233722177]
I'm really surprised that he signed with Townsville.
It is a town that has a university, an army base, and nowt much else besides being close to the reef.

I suppose it could have been worse, he might have ended up in Adelaide.
[/quote]

Whilst Townsville is indeed a shithole, it's one of the few in that area that are. I'm sure he's not gonna be living downtown amongst the aboriginals now is he? That whole coastline is stunning, no doubt he'll find himself somewhere pretty.
[/quote]

Oh I have no doubt that the Fowler clan will be living somewhere 'pretty' as you put it, I was still surprised he signed though.
 
Decent signing by North Queensland FC... they now need to make sure they sign midfielders who can supply him adequately.

He's not like Dwight Yorke, who was able to play in an attacking midfield role for Sydney FC ... so service to him is the key to his success.

Had a few mates who were up in Townsville who met him recently.

adrian2.jpg
 
They've got Middleby and Santalab from Sydney, and Spagnuolo from Adelaide which is a decent start.
 
[quote author=Ryan link=topic=31061.msg796197#msg796197 date=1233723524]
They've got Middleby and Santalab from Sydney, and Spagnuolo from Adelaide which is a decent start.
[/quote]

Yeah they got a good team in terms of work ethic.... but they need more skillful players.

Will probably have to look overseas for those skillful players.
 
[quote author=Brendan link=topic=31061.msg796294#msg796294 date=1233745088]
Robbie looks a bit like Zammo from Grange Hill.

The irony.
[/quote]

Hahahaha!
 
He's going to fry up there.

He should have chosen Sydney or something IMO. Townsville never gets below 32C and about 78% humidity. Playing summer football is hard enough but to do it in Townsville is asking for trouble.
 
One of my best mates lives in Townsville. Unfortunately he supports the mancs.
 
Am I alone in finding this a bit sad? A striker of genius (I use that word quite deliberately) reduced to "Have boots, will travel"?
 
[quote author=Judge Jules link=topic=31061.msg796491#msg796491 date=1233761546]
Am I alone in finding this a bit sad? A striker of genius (I use that word quite deliberately) reduced to "Have boots, will travel"?
[/quote]

I suppose- but I think it just demonstrates that he loves the game. He'd be tempted to screech his Bently to a stop and invade a kickabout he happened to be passing. It would be sadder if he were poor. But he's not, he's absolutely loaded, he doesn't need the cash, and just wants to play as long as his legs will keep him vertical.
 
[quote author=Judge Jules link=topic=31061.msg796491#msg796491 date=1233761546]
Am I alone in finding this a bit sad? A striker of genius (I use that word quite deliberately) reduced to "Have boots, will travel"?
[/quote]

He doesn't need the cash. He likes playing competitive football. It isn't sad at all.
 
[quote author=Judge Jules link=topic=31061.msg796491#msg796491 date=1233761546]
Am I alone in finding this a bit sad? A striker of genius (I use that word quite deliberately) reduced to "Have boots, will travel"?
[/quote]

I have far more respect for someone like Fowler who likes to play the game and will continue playing for as long as he can, compared to someone like Shearer who retired early to protect his legacy.
 
[quote author=Brendan link=topic=31061.msg796294#msg796294 date=1233745088]
Robbie looks a bit like Zammo from Grange Hill.

The irony.
[/quote]

no, no just say no.
 
[quote author=Judge Jules link=topic=31061.msg796491#msg796491 date=1233761546]
Am I alone in finding this a bit sad? A striker of genius (I use that word quite deliberately) reduced to "Have boots, will travel"?
[/quote]

Opportunity to purchase new real estate.
 
[quote author=Judge Jules link=topic=31061.msg796491#msg796491 date=1233761546]
Am I alone in finding this a bit sad? A striker of genius (I use that word quite deliberately) reduced to "Have boots, will travel"?
[/quote]

Better this than quitting and then regretting it for years after with no hope of return. I always think it is probably better for professional players to go on as long as they can at whatever level. Unlike most professions they are retired a lot longer than they are actually working and can't exactly change their minds a few years later.
 
[quote author=refugee link=topic=31061.msg796510#msg796510 date=1233762574]
[quote author=Judge Jules link=topic=31061.msg796491#msg796491 date=1233761546]
Am I alone in finding this a bit sad? A striker of genius (I use that word quite deliberately) reduced to "Have boots, will travel"?
[/quote]

I have far more respect for someone like Fowler who likes to play the game and will continue playing for as long as he can, compared to someone like Shearer who retired early to protect his legacy.
[/quote]

Shearer wanted to go out at the top and had no interest in dropping down the leagues. No problem with that. Good luck to him.
 
[quote author=Wizardry link=topic=31061.msg796471#msg796471 date=1233759178]
He's going to fry up there.

He should have chosen Sydney or something IMO. Townsville never gets below 32C and about 78% humidity. Playing summer football is hard enough but to do it in Townsville is asking for trouble.
[/quote]

It was about 15-20C when I was in Townsville.. maybe out of your football season though? I was there around October.
 
[quote author=Judge Jules link=topic=31061.msg796491#msg796491 date=1233761546]
Am I alone in finding this a bit sad? A striker of genius (I use that word quite deliberately) reduced to "Have boots, will travel"?
[/quote]

Better going out there than slogging it out in League 1 or 2 in cold, miserable weather and end up hating football.
 
[quote author=Richey link=topic=31061.msg796522#msg796522 date=1233763003]
[quote author=refugee link=topic=31061.msg796510#msg796510 date=1233762574]
[quote author=Judge Jules link=topic=31061.msg796491#msg796491 date=1233761546]
Am I alone in finding this a bit sad? A striker of genius (I use that word quite deliberately) reduced to "Have boots, will travel"?
[/quote]

I have far more respect for someone like Fowler who likes to play the game and will continue playing for as long as he can, compared to someone like Shearer who retired early to protect his legacy.
[/quote]

Shearer wanted to go out at the top and had no interest in dropping down the leagues. No problem with that. Good luck to him.
[/quote]

I didn't say there was a problem with it, I just have more respect for the football player that wants to play football rather than the footballer that stops playing because they don't want to tarnish their reputation.
 
Wish him all the best! Will start paying a little more attention to the A-League now.

And who knows? Maybe he can sniff out some more real estate opportunities down there.
 
Am I alone in finding this a bit sad? A striker of genius (I use that word quite deliberately) reduced to "Have boots, will travel"?
Click to expand...

If you think the A-League standard is shit, you're way off the mark.

Ok its not Serie A, La Liga or EPL ... but it's still a damn competitive league.

Foreigners who have come here thinking it will be a walk in the park have quickly realised otherwise.

Juninho (formerly of Boro) found it very hard to be consistent here. A shoulder injury didn't help, but at the end of the season he has zero goals to his name.

The A-League has been a scouters dream for leagues such as Turkey, Holland, Germany, Denmark and Norway.
 
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