Lee Fowler
Encyclopedia
Lee Anthony Fowler is a Welsh
footballer. He is a midfielder and has 12 Wales Under-21
caps. He is currently playing for Wrexham. He has played in the Football League for Coventry City
and Huddersfield Town
.
in the 1999–2000 season. The club at the time were managed by Gordon Strachan
, and Fowler was amongst the Sky Blues squad for the clubs final two appearances in the top flight of English football. At the end of the 2000–01 season, City were relegated along with Manchester City and Bradford City. However Fowler would not make a single appearance for the club in the top flight, and did not make his professional debut until the following season when Strachan's replacement as manager, Roland Nilsson
gave him his first opportunity bringing him on as a substitute to replace Barry Quinn
in the 68th minute of a league defeat at home to Burnley
on 17 November 2001. Fowler would go on to make 13 appearances for Coventry during the 2001–02 season. During the 2002–03 season, City had replaced Nilsson with Gary McAllister
and this saw Fowler only feature three times in the entire season. He went on to score his first senior goal in football, coming in an FA Cup
tie with Cardiff City
on 15 January 2003.
for an initial three month period. He made his Town debut on the opening day of the 2003-04 League Two campaign against Cambridge United
. Fowler went on to make 19 appearances in all competitions during his loan spell in West Yorkshire
, and on 13 November 2003 he was released from his Coventry contract thus allowing him to join with Huddersfield on a permanent basis. Fowler would go on to make a further 19 appearances for Town following his switch, scoring no goals, but collecting a tally of 8 yellow cards, and 2 red cards during his season. Huddersfield qualified for the play-offs, but Fowler was uninvolved for the semi final legs over Lincoln City
, however Town progressed and Fowler came on as an 85th minute substitute for Jonathan Worthington
in the final at the Millennium Stadium
against Mansfield Town
. However the game has gone to extra time and then penalties meaning Fowler would have a full 35 minutes on the field, including scoring the winning penalty that earned his club promotion to League One. The following season Fowler played a cameo role in the clubs 2004-05 season, and finished the campaign having featured 23 times in all competitions, scoring one with a further 4 yellow cards and 1 red card to add to his disciplinary tally. In May 2005, Fowler was released by Huddersfield.
on trial along with a handful of other players hoping to earn a contract at Blundell Park
. However despite playing in 4 pre-season friendlies, as well as joining the Grimsby squad in a pre-season Army training camp, Fowler was snubbed a full time contract with boss Russell Slade
signing Ciaran Toner
, Paul Bolland
and Jean-Paul Kamudimba Kalala
to play in Fowler's central midfield role. After spending the summer with Grimsby, Fowler would spend several months out of the game and he started the 2005-06 season without a club. He eventually signed for debt riddled Conference National
side Scarborough
in November 2005, sealing Fowler's first taste of Non-League football. Fowler was brought to the club by Neil Redfearn
, and would only play for The Seadogs for one season, making 25 appearances and scoring 3 goals. Following the crippling debt at the McCain Stadium
, Scarborough found it near impossible to stay in the Conference and were relegated to the Conference North
division. The money troubles and demotion meant that the club culled all but a few of its playing staff for the following season. Fowler was one of the players who left Scarborough at the end of their final season inside the top 5 leagues in English football. Under a year after Fowler left, the club eventually went bust and became defunct.
for Burton Albion
. Fowler would go on to make 23 appearances for The Brewers, scoring once during the 2006-2007 season. In March 2007, Clough made Fowler available for transfer after the pair fell out and he subsequently signed with Welsh outfit Newport County on a loan deal until the end of the season. At the end of the campaign, Fowler was released.
division. Fowler made 34 appearances for County, scoring 4 goals. At the end of the 2007-2008 season, he left the club.
to sign with Jim Harvey
and his Forest Green Rovers
side. Fowler played out the entire 2008-09 season with the club, making a total of 46 appearances in all competition, scoring a single goal, coming in a league encounter with Weymouth
. On 2 June 2009, Fowler turned down the chance of renewing his contract with Forest Green and signed for Kettering Town
on a two-year contract.
, Fowler became increasingly unsettled at the club, and publicly expressed his desire to leave the club, commenting he did not want to play for the club. Fowler was criticized by Kettering's chairman, Imraan Ladak, for his bad attitude and alleged desire to leave the club. However after featuring in his last game in the league on 24 November 2009, Fowler was brought on as a substitute in the clubs crucial FA Cup
second round replay against Leeds United at Elland Road
. With the game at 1-1, and player-manager Lee Harper
in goal, assistant manager John Deehan
brought on Fowler in extra time to replace Patrick Noubissie
in the 106th minute of play. Kettering went on to concede 4 goals in the next 14 minutes to lose the game 5-1. Deehan was sacked after the match by Ladak for using Fowler, claiming that he did not think his side would have conceded had Fowler not been in the team, and also that he was only on the bench to make up the numbers, and not to be brought on to the field. Fowler had his contract with Kettering terminated by mutual consent on 27 December 2009.
, however in March 2010, after playing not one single minute of football for United, Fowler was released.
side Cirencester Town
. Fowler played only one game for Cirencester until moving on once more later that month.
side Halesowen Town
a few days after leaving Cirencester. Fowler left Halesowen at the end of the 2009-10 season.
and played for the Welsh club in a reserve game against Burnley
.
on 14 January 2011 Fowler signed a short term contract at Wrexham.
and was receiving treatment along with support from his employers, Forest Green.
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
footballer. He is a midfielder and has 12 Wales Under-21
Wales national under-21 football team
The Wales national under-21 football team, also known as the Wales U21s, is the national under-21 football team of Wales and is controlled by the Football Association of Wales. The team competes in the UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship, held every two years...
caps. He is currently playing for Wrexham. He has played in the Football League for Coventry City
Coventry City F.C.
Coventry City Football Club, otherwise known as the Sky Blues owing to the traditional colour of their strip, are a professional English Football league club based in Coventry...
and Huddersfield Town
Huddersfield Town F.C.
Huddersfield Town Football Club is an English football club formed in 1908 and based in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. They currently play in League One...
.
Coventry City
Fowler joined the ranks at English Premier League side Coventry CityCoventry City F.C.
Coventry City Football Club, otherwise known as the Sky Blues owing to the traditional colour of their strip, are a professional English Football league club based in Coventry...
in the 1999–2000 season. The club at the time were managed by Gordon Strachan
Gordon Strachan
Gordon David Strachan OBE is a Scottish football manager and former player. He is currently without a club, having last managed Middlesbrough. Strachan played for Dundee, Aberdeen, Manchester United, Leeds United and Coventry City, as well as the Scotland national team. Prior to Middlesbrough,...
, and Fowler was amongst the Sky Blues squad for the clubs final two appearances in the top flight of English football. At the end of the 2000–01 season, City were relegated along with Manchester City and Bradford City. However Fowler would not make a single appearance for the club in the top flight, and did not make his professional debut until the following season when Strachan's replacement as manager, Roland Nilsson
Roland Nilsson
Roland Nilsson is a Swedish football manager and the current manager of FC Copenhagen. As a player, Nilsson played 116 games for Sweden, making him second only to Thomas Ravelli in international appearances for Sweden...
gave him his first opportunity bringing him on as a substitute to replace Barry Quinn
Barry Quinn
Barry Scott Quinn is an Irish footballer, currently out of contract. His position is DefenderQuinn was signed up by Coventry City in August 1996 as a trainee from Manortown United. He went on to appear seventy-four times for the club...
in the 68th minute of a league defeat at home to Burnley
Burnley F.C.
Burnley Football Club are a professional English Football League club based in Burnley, Lancashire. Nicknamed the Clarets, due to the dominant colour of their home shirts, they were founder members of the Football League in 1888...
on 17 November 2001. Fowler would go on to make 13 appearances for Coventry during the 2001–02 season. During the 2002–03 season, City had replaced Nilsson with Gary McAllister
Gary McAllister
Gary McAllister MBE is a Scottish former professional footballer.McAllister played primarily as a midfielder, in a successful career spanning over nineteen years. He started his career at local side Motherwell before moving south of the border to Leicester City at the age of 20...
and this saw Fowler only feature three times in the entire season. He went on to score his first senior goal in football, coming in an FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
tie with Cardiff City
Cardiff city
Cardiff City may refer to:* Cardiff city centre* Cardiff City Council* Cardiff City F.C.* Cardiff City L.F.C.* Cardiff City Stadium...
on 15 January 2003.
Huddersfield Town
During the summer of 2003, Fowler was placed on the loan list and joined Huddersfield TownHuddersfield Town F.C.
Huddersfield Town Football Club is an English football club formed in 1908 and based in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. They currently play in League One...
for an initial three month period. He made his Town debut on the opening day of the 2003-04 League Two campaign against Cambridge United
Cambridge United F.C.
Cambridge United Football Club is a professional football club from Cambridge, England. They are currently playing the 2011-2012 season in the Conference National, the fifth tier of the English league system, where they have competed since 2005 following their relegation from the Football League...
. Fowler went on to make 19 appearances in all competitions during his loan spell in West Yorkshire
West Yorkshire
West Yorkshire is a metropolitan county within the Yorkshire and the Humber region of England with a population of 2.2 million. West Yorkshire came into existence as a metropolitan county in 1974 after the passage of the Local Government Act 1972....
, and on 13 November 2003 he was released from his Coventry contract thus allowing him to join with Huddersfield on a permanent basis. Fowler would go on to make a further 19 appearances for Town following his switch, scoring no goals, but collecting a tally of 8 yellow cards, and 2 red cards during his season. Huddersfield qualified for the play-offs, but Fowler was uninvolved for the semi final legs over Lincoln City
Lincoln City F.C.
Lincoln City Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Lincoln, Lincolnshire. The club are currently members of the Conference National in 2011–12 following relegation from the Football League....
, however Town progressed and Fowler came on as an 85th minute substitute for Jonathan Worthington
Jonathan Worthington
Jonathan Alan Spencer "Jon" Worthington is an English footballer who currently plays for Mansfield Town. He previously played in the Football League for Oldham Athletic, Huddersfield Town, Yeovil Town and Bradford City...
in the final at the Millennium Stadium
Millennium Stadium
The Millennium Stadium is the national stadium of Wales, located in the capital, Cardiff. It is the home of the Wales national rugby union team and also frequently stages games of the Wales national football team, but is also host to many other large scale events, such as the Super Special Stage...
against Mansfield Town
Mansfield Town F.C.
Mansfield Town Football Club is an English football club from the former mining town of Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. The club was formed in 1897 as Mansfield Wesleyans and changed its name to Mansfield Wesley in 1906 before settling on Mansfield Town in 1910...
. However the game has gone to extra time and then penalties meaning Fowler would have a full 35 minutes on the field, including scoring the winning penalty that earned his club promotion to League One. The following season Fowler played a cameo role in the clubs 2004-05 season, and finished the campaign having featured 23 times in all competitions, scoring one with a further 4 yellow cards and 1 red card to add to his disciplinary tally. In May 2005, Fowler was released by Huddersfield.
Scarborough
In June 2005 he joined Grimsby TownGrimsby Town F.C.
Grimsby Town Football Club is an English football club based in the seaside town of Cleethorpes, in North East Lincolnshire, England, who compete in the Conference National. They were formed in 1878 as Grimsby Pelham and later became Grimsby Town...
on trial along with a handful of other players hoping to earn a contract at Blundell Park
Blundell Park
Blundell Park is a football ground in Cleethorpes, North East Lincolnshire, England and home to Grimsby Town Football Club. The stadium was built in 1898, but only one of the original stands remain. The current capacity of the ground is 9546, though with the introduction of all seating in the late...
. However despite playing in 4 pre-season friendlies, as well as joining the Grimsby squad in a pre-season Army training camp, Fowler was snubbed a full time contract with boss Russell Slade
Russell Slade
Russell Slade is an English football manager currently in charge of League One side Leyton Orient.-Notts County:Slade was assistant manager to Mick Walker at Notts County, and took over as caretaker manager when Walker was sacked in September 1994. When County appointed Howard Kendall as manager...
signing Ciaran Toner
Ciarán Toner
Ciarán Toner is a Northern Irish professional footballer who plays for Conference North side Guiseley. He has represented Tottenham Hotspur, Peterborough United, Bristol Rovers, Leyton Orient, Lincoln City, Cambridge United, Grimsby Town, Rochdale and Harrogate Town...
, Paul Bolland
Paul Bolland
Paul Graham Bolland is an English professional footballer who plays for Conference National side Mansfield Town as a midfielder...
and Jean-Paul Kamudimba Kalala
Jean-Paul Kamudimba Kalala
Jean-Paul Kamudimba Kalala , often referred to as Jean-Paul Kalala or JP Kalala, is a Congolese footballer, who plays a midfielder for Southend United. He started his career in France playing for Nice before moving to Grimsby Town in 2005...
to play in Fowler's central midfield role. After spending the summer with Grimsby, Fowler would spend several months out of the game and he started the 2005-06 season without a club. He eventually signed for debt riddled Conference National
Conference National
Conference National is the top division of the Football Conference in England. It is the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system...
side Scarborough
Scarborough F.C.
Scarborough Football Club was an English football club based in the seaside resort of Scarborough, North Yorkshire. They were one of the oldest football clubs in England, formed in 1879, before they were wound up on 20 June 2007, with debts of £2.5 million.In the 2006–07 season...
in November 2005, sealing Fowler's first taste of Non-League football. Fowler was brought to the club by Neil Redfearn
Neil Redfearn
Neil David Redfearn is an English former footballer and manager who is currently under-18s coach and reserve team manager at Leeds United....
, and would only play for The Seadogs for one season, making 25 appearances and scoring 3 goals. Following the crippling debt at the McCain Stadium
McCain Stadium
The McCain Stadium was a football stadium located on Seamer Road in Scarborough, England. It was the home of Scarborough FC, a defunct football club who last played in the English Conference North before they were dissolved on 20 June 2007 with debts of £2.5 million.The ground was first opened...
, Scarborough found it near impossible to stay in the Conference and were relegated to the Conference North
Conference North
The Conference North also known as Blue Square Bet North for sponsorship reasons, is a division of the Football Conference in England, taking its place immediately below the Conference National. Along with Conference South it is at Step 2 of the National League System and the sixth overall tier of...
division. The money troubles and demotion meant that the club culled all but a few of its playing staff for the following season. Fowler was one of the players who left Scarborough at the end of their final season inside the top 5 leagues in English football. Under a year after Fowler left, the club eventually went bust and became defunct.
Burton Albion
In the summer of 2006, Fowler was signed by Nigel CloughNigel Clough
Nigel Howard Clough is an English former footballer and the current manager of Derby County. Playing predominately as a striker, but later in his career was used as a midfielder, Clough was capped by England 14 times in the early 1990s....
for Burton Albion
Burton Albion F.C.
Burton Albion Football Club are a professional English football club based in the town of Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire. The club's home ground is the Pirelli Stadium, having moved from Eton Park in 2005...
. Fowler would go on to make 23 appearances for The Brewers, scoring once during the 2006-2007 season. In March 2007, Clough made Fowler available for transfer after the pair fell out and he subsequently signed with Welsh outfit Newport County on a loan deal until the end of the season. At the end of the campaign, Fowler was released.
Newport County
Following a fruitful short loan spell in the previous season, Fowler signed a one year deal with Newport County playing in the Conference SouthConference South
Conference South is one of the second divisions of the Football Conference in England, taking its place immediately below the Conference National...
division. Fowler made 34 appearances for County, scoring 4 goals. At the end of the 2007-2008 season, he left the club.
Forest Green
Fowler moved back up a league and returned to the Conference NationalConference National
Conference National is the top division of the Football Conference in England. It is the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system...
to sign with Jim Harvey
Jim Harvey
James "Jim" Harvey is a Northern Irish football manager and former player. He is currently manager of Conference North side Stalybridge Celtic.-Playing career:...
and his Forest Green Rovers
Forest Green Rovers F.C.
Forest Green Rovers Football Club is an English football club based in Nailsworth, Gloucestershire, currently the longest-serving members of the Conference National. The club is affiliated to the Gloucestershire County FA.-Early years:...
side. Fowler played out the entire 2008-09 season with the club, making a total of 46 appearances in all competition, scoring a single goal, coming in a league encounter with Weymouth
Weymouth F.C.
Weymouth F.C. are an English football club based in the town of Weymouth, who currently play in the Southern League Premier Division.-History:Weymouth Football Club were founded in 1890 and played their first game on 24 September of that year...
. On 2 June 2009, Fowler turned down the chance of renewing his contract with Forest Green and signed for Kettering Town
Kettering Town F.C.
Kettering Town Football Club are a football club originating in Kettering, Northamptonshire but currently based in the nearby village of Irthlingborough. The club play in the Conference National after winning the Conference North in 2007–08...
on a two-year contract.
Kettering Town
Fowler signed for Kettering and made his debut for the play-off pushing side against his former club Forest Green on the opening day of the 2009-10 campaign. Following the departure of his manager Mark Cooper, who had moved to join Peterborough UnitedPeterborough United F.C.
Peterborough United Football Club are a professional English football club based in Peterborough. Peterborough United formed in 1934 and played in the old Midland League, which they won six times; eventually being admitted to the Football League in 1960, replacing Gateshead. Their home ground is...
, Fowler became increasingly unsettled at the club, and publicly expressed his desire to leave the club, commenting he did not want to play for the club. Fowler was criticized by Kettering's chairman, Imraan Ladak, for his bad attitude and alleged desire to leave the club. However after featuring in his last game in the league on 24 November 2009, Fowler was brought on as a substitute in the clubs crucial FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
second round replay against Leeds United at Elland Road
Elland Road
Elland Road is an all-seater football stadium in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. It has been the permanent residence of Leeds United A.F.C...
. With the game at 1-1, and player-manager Lee Harper
Lee Harper
Lee Charles Philip Harper is an English footballer who was most recently player-manager of Kettering Town. He plays as a goalkeeper.-Playing career:...
in goal, assistant manager John Deehan
John Deehan
John Matthew Deehan is an English former footballer who in recent years has had several spells in coaching and management. He is currently unemployed having previously held the position of Director of football at Grimsby Town....
brought on Fowler in extra time to replace Patrick Noubissie
Patrick Noubissie
Patrick Benjamin Noubissié Youmbi is a French football midfielder of Cameroonian descent who currently plays for Kettering Town in the Conference National.-Career:...
in the 106th minute of play. Kettering went on to concede 4 goals in the next 14 minutes to lose the game 5-1. Deehan was sacked after the match by Ladak for using Fowler, claiming that he did not think his side would have conceded had Fowler not been in the team, and also that he was only on the bench to make up the numbers, and not to be brought on to the field. Fowler had his contract with Kettering terminated by mutual consent on 27 December 2009.
Oxford United
A few days later Fowler signed for fellow Conference side Oxford UnitedOxford United F.C.
Oxford United Football Club is an English association football club based in Oxford, Oxfordshire. The club play in League Two, following promotion from the Conference National in May 2010. The club had been a non-League side since their relegation from the Football League in the 2005–06 season. The...
, however in March 2010, after playing not one single minute of football for United, Fowler was released.
Cirencester Town
A few days later, he signed for Southern Football LeagueSouthern Football League
The Southern League is an English football competition featuring semi-professional and amateur clubs from the South West, South Central and Midlands of England and South Wales...
side Cirencester Town
Cirencester Town F.C.
Cirencester Town is an English football club based in Cirencester, Gloucestershire. The club are currently members of the Southern League Premier Division and play at the Corinium Stadium...
. Fowler played only one game for Cirencester until moving on once more later that month.
Halesowen Town
Fowler signed up with Southern Premier LeagueSouthern Premier League
Southern Premier League can refer to one of the following sports leagues:* Southern Football League Premier Division, an amateur soccer league in the south of England...
side Halesowen Town
Halesowen Town F.C.
Halesowen Town is an English association football club formed in 1873, since 2011 playing in the Southern League Division One South & West]]. The team is nicknamed "The Yeltz".-History:...
a few days after leaving Cirencester. Fowler left Halesowen at the end of the 2009-10 season.
Forest Green
In June 2010 Fowler re-joined Forest Green alongisde his brother, Mike. He made just nine league appearances before picking up a knee injury. He was then released on 16 December 2010 when he was not offered a contract by the club.Wrexham
He then began training with WrexhamWrexham A.F.C.
Wrexham Football Club are a professional football team based in Wrexham, north-east Wales, who play in the English football pyramid.Founded in 1872, they are one of the oldest surviving football clubs in Britain and the oldest professional club in Wales...
and played for the Welsh club in a reserve game against Burnley
Burnley F.C.
Burnley Football Club are a professional English Football League club based in Burnley, Lancashire. Nicknamed the Clarets, due to the dominant colour of their home shirts, they were founder members of the Football League in 1888...
.
on 14 January 2011 Fowler signed a short term contract at Wrexham.
Personal life
In October 2010, Fowler revealed he was suffering from alcoholismAlcoholism
Alcoholism is a broad term for problems with alcohol, and is generally used to mean compulsive and uncontrolled consumption of alcoholic beverages, usually to the detriment of the drinker's health, personal relationships, and social standing...
and was receiving treatment along with support from his employers, Forest Green.