Robbie Fowler goes down under

Off to the land of Oz.

SYDNEY (AFP) — Former Liverpool and England striker Robbie Fowler has signed a two-year deal with new Australian A-League side North Queensland Fury, according to the club.

The 33-year-old forward, whose goal-scoring exploits once saw him idolised on the red half of Merseyside, will be the Fury's marquee player as the club makes its debut in the A-League this season.

Fury officals  described the signing as a major coup, which showed the club, based in Townsville, was intent on making a successful start.

"Robbie is a legitimate international superstar of the game and there's no doubt he will give us every chance of winning," Fury chairman Don Matheson said.

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

He did not reveal financial details involved in the contract, which commits Fowler to playing in the 2009-10 and 2010-11 seasons.

Fowler scored 120 goals in 236 league appearances for Liverpool and also played for Leeds United, Manchester City, Cardiff City and Blackburn Rovers, where he was released late last year after a short stint.

The striker, who turned down a chance to play in the A-League for Sydney FC in 2007, said he had been impressed with the footballing set-up at the Fury as well as the lifestyle that playing in Queensland offered his young family.

"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," he said.

Under the A-League rules, clubs can sign a marquee player whose wages are exempted from the team's salary cap as a means of raising the sport's profile in Australia.


Best of luck to the lad.  Past his best but I hope he has a great time - and I'm sure he will re-ignite the property market down there!

Just one thing though - North Queensland Fury  What kind of name is that for a football team?

what if he regains his touch like becks and next thing you know he is taken on a loan by real madrid,puts in tremendous performances for them & gets raul & all pleading for him to extend his deal

what if he regains his touch like becks and next thing you know he is taken on a loan by real madrid

He can score an oggy in the next round of the European Cup.

He can score an oggy in the next round of the European Cup.

would he get a standing ovation from kop for that???

He wouldn't need to score an oggy to get a standing ovation.

Jeez you post quickly JD just been flicking between these two threads.. Fury, its a bit like wanderers though I think just some random name.

Good Luck me old Cobber set them alight down there.

I'm going to see Robbie Fowler!!!!!!!! Best news ever.

If you think the Fury is a bad name; Central Coast Mariners.

Townsville, Oz.From my time out there I seem to remember T/ville being up the East coast and in a bit like towards the scrub (not much green grass) Might be wrong tho.

Good luck to him!

Hope he does well!

Townsville has alot to offer. Currently its raining quite abit thanks to Cyclone Ellie and damages are plenty but it has beautiful weather alot of the time (maybe not suited to Robbie though), the people are really relaxed and its just a great place to have your family.

If a New South Welshman can say that about a QLD town then you know its good.

So stoked i'm going to see him, might be able to get a few snaps if i'm very lucky.

Yes, should be able to get a regular game - that's what he needs. It might be permanent if he likes it there.

Good luck Robbie, you served us well.

Excited that I will get to see him play live but I dont think he will really like it much. The standard of footie is still pretty poor and not much to do up there in old T-Ville. But I suppose if he is a family man and would like to stay out of the rat race then that is a good decision for him.

I too hope to get some pics..you never know I actually saw Dwight Yorke get rejected from a club here in Sydney because he wanted to walk in to an upper class club wearing a cap. Me and my mates were metres behind in the line (didnt get in either) when he goes to the bouncer a big Samoan looking fella who doesnt know his right from left " do you know who I am?, I am Dwight Yorke ex Man Utd player" the bouncer was like never heard of you mate but if you want in the cap has to come off.

Yes Fury what a ridicolous name ey?? Almost as funny as Chicago Fire

Accrington  Stanley takes some beating......but fair play best of luck to the lad and his family.             

Best of luck Robbie.

Bit of a change from the astro on Windsor St eh

Good luck Robbie!

Playing on a freezing cold afternoon at Accrington Stanley or a nice warm day in OZ?

I know which I'd choose.

Good luck to him. Was a true legend for the club and wish him all the best in his endeavour. Good luck in the massive time difference!

Release your fury on them God!

Good luck Robbie!

I still kind of feel that he is ruining his legacy as I said in the thread in the general football forum. However I respect the man for continuing to do what he loves and at least now his decline in football is out of the English and Irish media. Best of luck Robbie. YNWA.

Aussiered will be made up 

Good luck Robbie, im sure you will be a success there too.

nice one robbie!

hope you enjoy you're stay down under.

Good luck Robbie, im sure you will be a success there too.

Oh i'm sure he'd be big down under.

Townsville is a sh*t hole. would have much prefer to see robbie at melbourne victory or sydney. but hey, ill have to see if they play down in melbs sometime and go watch god play again.! last time I saw him play I think it was a 3 goals in the first 8 minutes against aston villa. 2 by folwer. sitting in the kop. aaa the memories.!

Aussiered will be made up 

Smiggs, you should have seen the  on my face.

Might grab Crouchinho, Dobbsy and Dadorious and head up there on a boys weekend 

Smiggs, you should have seen the  on my face.

Might grab Crouchinho, Dobbsy and Dadorious and head up there on a boys weekend 

Mind grabbing me a fake ID too?

 I think Robbie Fowler will handle the Aussie A league quite well,the standard of football will not be as good as he is used to and the number of games they play is less than he will play in the E.P.L.I will look forward to see him play in Wellington N.Z. Hope I have not upset our Aussie Mates on the forum but you have to agree about the standard  that gets played  in Aus is pretty poor.

:lmao:Townsville has alot to offer. Currently its raining quite abit thanks to Cyclone Ellie and damages are plenty but it has beautiful weather alot of the time (maybe not suited to Robbie though), the people are really relaxed and its just a great place to have your family.

If a New South Welshman can say that about a QLD town then you know its good.

So stoked I'm going to see him, might be able to get a few snaps if I'm very lucky.

Just tell him who you are Crouchie!!!!!

Haha Aussie Id be up for that any day.

I hope he does well and provides some much needed entertainment to that league.

Mind grabbing me a fake ID too?

No need mate, I'll buy the grog...you can just pay for both of ours 

I think Robbie Fowler will handle the Aussie A league quite well,the standard of football will not be as good as he is used to and the number of games they play is less than he will play in the E.P.L.I will look forward to see him play in Wellington N.Z. Hope I have not upset our Aussie Mates on the forum but you have to agree about the standard  that gets played  in Aus is pretty poor.

You couldn't upset us mate, you're one of the oldest blokes on the forum  we respect you for that mate, as for New Zealand though...you don't live there do you? All this time I thought you lived in Liverpool.

Haha Aussie Id be up for that any day.

You and me both mate, what a wicked trip that would be.

Just a thought he is available on a free till the summer and can sign whenever , anyone agree we should give him another run for old time sake , I know i would . Good luck Robbie lad YNWA

He he....nice one Robbie, can't think of a better place to wind down your football career.

Enjoy the sunshine, I'm sure you'll have lots of REDS cheering you on.

Job going in Liverpool.Collecting all Robbie's rent(s) while he's down under.

Off to the land of Oz.

SYDNEY (AFP) — Former Liverpool and England striker Robbie Fowler has signed a two-year deal with new Australian A-League side North Queensland Fury, according to the club.

The 33-year-old forward, whose goal-scoring exploits once saw him idolised on the red half of Merseyside, will be the Fury's marquee player as the club makes its debut in the A-League this season.

Fury officals  described the signing as a major coup, which showed the club, based in Townsville, was intent on making a successful start.

"Robbie is a legitimate international superstar of the game and there's no doubt he will give us every chance of winning," Fury chairman Don Matheson said.

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

He did not reveal financial details involved in the contract, which commits Fowler to playing in the 2009-10 and 2010-11 seasons.

Fowler scored 120 goals in 236 league appearances for Liverpool and also played for Leeds United, Manchester City, Cardiff City and Blackburn Rovers, where he was released late last year after a short stint.

The striker, who turned down a chance to play in the A-League for Sydney FC in 2007, said he had been impressed with the footballing set-up at the Fury as well as the lifestyle that playing in Queensland offered his young family.

"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," he said.

Under the A-League rules, clubs can sign a marquee player whose wages are exempted from the team's salary cap as a means of raising the sport's profile in Australia.


Best of luck to the lad.  Past his best but I hope he has a great time - and I'm sure he will re-ignite the property market down there!

Just one thing though - North Queensland Fury  What kind of name is that for a football team?

JD it sounds like something off SPEEDBALL 2