Editing Robbie Fowler (section)

== Club career ==
=== Liverpool ===
Despite growing up as an [[Everton F.C.|Everton]] fan, Fowler's career began with Liverpool. He signed as a youth team player on leaving school in the summer of 1991, signing professional terms on his 17th birthday, 9 April 1992.

Fowler's first involvement with the Liverpool first team came on 13 January 1993, when he was an unused substitute in an [[1992–93 FA Cup|FA Cup]] third round tie against [[Bolton Wanderers F.C.|Bolton Wanderers]]. In the following close season, Fowler helped the [[England national under-18 football team|England under-18]] team win the [[1993 UEFA European Under-18 Championship|1993 European Championship]],<ref>{{cite news |title=Boys of '93 |url=https://www.thefa.com/england/mens-u19s/News/2009/boys_of_93 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120731094011/https://www.thefa.com/england/mens-u19s/News/2009/boys_of_93 |archive-date=31 July 2012  |work=[[The Football Association]] |date=7 July 2008 |access-date=3 December 2013}}</ref> before making a scoring first-team debut in Liverpool's 3–1 win in a second round [[1993–94 Football League Cup|League Cup]] tie at [[Fulham F.C.|Fulham]] on 22 September 1993.<ref name="profile">{{cite web |url=http://www.liverpoolfc.com/history/past-players/robbie-fowler |title=Robbie Fowler |publisher=[[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]] |access-date=4 December 2013 }}</ref> 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.<ref name="LFCHistory">{{cite web|url=http://www.lfchistory.net/Articles/Article/357 |title=Robbie Fowler – goalscoring phenomenon |work=LFCHistory |access-date=15 January 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120930194517/http://www.lfchistory.net/Articles/Article/357 |archive-date=30 September 2012}}</ref> He scored his first league [[hat-trick]] against [[Southampton F.C.|Southampton]] on 30 October 1993 in only his fifth league game. His very first league goal for the Reds had come on 16 October 1993, when an 87th-minute equaliser at home to struggling [[Oldham Athletic A.F.C.|Oldham Athletic]] saved the Reds from what would have been one of the biggest Premier League shocks of the season, with a last gasp own goal giving Liverpool a 2–1 win.<ref>{{cite news |title=Football Round-Up: Hapless Barlow is in the red |first=Geoff |last=Brown |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-roundup-hapless-barlow-is-in-the-red-1511217.html |newspaper=The Independent |date=17 October 1993 |access-date=15 January 2011 }}</ref> He scored twice in a 3–3 draw at [[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham Hotspur]] on 18 December 1993.<ref>{{cite news |title=Football: Spurs strike back with interest: Fowler flourishes to put Tottenham in the red but Hazard inspires a fightback that brings relief from the troubles |first=Norman |last=Fox |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-spurs-strike-back-with-interest-fowler-flourishes-to-put-tottenham-in-the-red-but-hazard-inspires-a-fightback-that-brings-relief-from-the-troubles-1468364.html |newspaper=The Independent |date=19 December 1993 |access-date=15 January 2011 }}</ref>

His first 13 games for the club yielded 12 goals, and he was rewarded with an [[England national under-21 football team|England Under-21]] debut against [[San Marino national football team|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 [[1993–94 Liverpool F.C. season|first season]] as the club's second top scorer with 18 goals in all competitions, [[Ian Rush]] had scored 19. It was, however, a disappointing season for Liverpool, as they finished eighth in the [[Premier League]] without making an impact in any of the major competitions, though the departure of [[Graeme Souness]] as manager and the appointment of [[Roy Evans]] as successor built up hope for a brighter future at [[Anfield]] after the disappointment of the first two [[FA Premier League]] seasons.<ref name="LFCHistory"/>

==== Success and fame ====
During the [[1994–95 in English football|1994–95 season]] Fowler was a constant member of the Liverpool side, playing in all of their 57 competitive matches, including the victory in the [[1995 Football League Cup final|1995 League Cup final]], and a match against [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]] on 28 August 1994 in which he scored what was then the Premier League's fastest hat-trick ever, in four minutes and 33 seconds.<ref>Fowler, p. 128.</ref> His record stood for twenty years until broken by [[Sadio Mané]] on 16 May 2015 for [[Southampton F.C.|Southampton]] against [[Aston Villa F.C.|Aston Villa]], who scored three goals in two minutes and 56 seconds.<ref>{{cite news |title=Southampton's Sadio Mané hits record hat-trick to rout Aston Villa |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/may/16/southampton-aston-villa-premier-league-match-report |access-date=16 May 2015 |work=The Observer |agency=Press Association |date=16 May 2015}}</ref> He scored braces against Aston Villa, [[Ipswich Town F.C.|Ipswich Town]], [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]] and [[Norwich City F.C.|Norwich City]] in the league that season. Fowler was voted the [[PFA Young Player of the Year]] in two consecutive years in 1995 and 1996,<ref name="MEN factfile">{{cite web |url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/robbie-fowler-factfile-1059704 |title=Robbie Fowler Factfile |work=[[Manchester Evening News]] |date=30 June 2005 |access-date=4 December 2013}}</ref> a feat also achieved only by [[Ryan Giggs]], [[Wayne Rooney]] and [[Dele Alli]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/giggs-this-can-be-the-best-united-ever-448588.html |title=Giggs: 'This can be the best United ever'|work=[[The Independent]] |access-date=13 September 2008 |location=London |first=Steve |last=Tongue |date=13 May 2007}}{{dead link|date=August 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.redcafe.net/threads/giggs-this-can-be-the-best-united-ever.155590 |title=Reproduction of ''Independent'' article on Red Cafe |publisher=Red Cafe |date=13 May 2007 |access-date=4 December 2013}}</ref>

Throughout the mid and late 1990s, Fowler was widely considered to be the most natural finisher playing in England.<ref>{{cite news |title=Gripping battle of the red predators |first=Henry |last=Winter |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/liverpool/3017140/Gripping-battle-of-the-red-predators.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/liverpool/3017140/Gripping-battle-of-the-red-predators.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=19 November 2001 |access-date=15 January 2011}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Fowler sealed this reputation as he scored more than 30 goals for three consecutive seasons, up to 1997. He remains the only player to have scored 30 plus goals in his first three full seasons in England scoring 98 goals with a total of 116 in just over three years. Fowler's partnership with [[Steve McManaman]] was largely described as the reason why Liverpool had become the club known for being the most potent attacking force in England at the time,<ref>{{cite news |title=Robbie Fowler: Natural born finisher |first=Mark |last=Lomas |url=http://espnfc.com/columns/story?id=707080&cc=5739 |newspaper=ESPNSoccernet |date=9 August 2009 |access-date=4 December 2013}}</ref> and Fowler was renowned for scoring goals of all varieties, from every angle and distance, with McManaman describing him as the "greatest goalscorer of all time".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sport.co.uk/football/mcmanaman-evans-in-charge-fowler-and-ronaldo-up-top/50513 |title=McManaman: Evans In Charge, Fowler And Ronaldo Up Top |publisher=Sport |date=16 February 2011 |access-date=4 December 2013}}</ref>

[[Stan Collymore]], Fowler's regular strike partner for two seasons from 1995, said in his autobiography that Fowler was the best player he has ever played alongside. Fowler and Collymore were among the most prolific goal-scoring strike partnerships in England during the [[1995–96 in English football|1995–96]] season, with £8.4million signing Collymore replacing the veteran Ian Rush as Fowler's regular partner in attack after his arrival in June 1995. In the same season, he scored twice in a 4–3 victory over [[Newcastle United F.C.|Newcastle United]], a match voted the best of the decade in a Premier League poll. The match helped prevent Newcastle from winning the league, but it was not enough for Liverpool to clinch the title; they finished third while [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]] were crowned champions. Fowler also played in his first [[FA Cup Final]] that season, but was on the losing side as Manchester United won 1–0. He had scored four goals against United in the league that season, scoring twice in a 2–2 draw at [[Old Trafford]] on 1 October 1995, and twice in a 2–0 win at [[Anfield]] on 16 December.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://espnfc.com/columns/story?id=264175&root=england&cc=5739 |title=Ten years and counting |publisher=ESPN |access-date=4 December 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019211405/http://espnfc.com/columns/story?id=264175&root=england&cc=5739 |archive-date=19 October 2013}}</ref>

On 14 December 1996, he scored four against [[Middlesbrough F.C.|Middlesbrough]], including his hundredth for Liverpool. This meant he reached a century of goals one game quicker than his first strike partner, Ian Rush, in just 165 games.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ridley |first1=Ian |title=Close-up; Robbie Fowler; The natural in a rush to win |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/closeup-robbie-fowler-the-natural-in-a-rush-to-win-1315684.html |access-date=3 September 2024 |work=The Independent |date=22 December 1996}}</ref> That year, he also won a [[UEFA]] [[UEFA Fair Play ranking|Fair Play]] award for denying that he had been fouled by Arsenal [[Goalkeeper (association football)|goalkeeper]] [[David Seaman]] at [[Arsenal Stadium|Highbury]] after a penalty had been given.<ref>{{cite news |title=Di Canio in line for fair play awards |first=Christopher |last=Davies |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/premier-league/2994930/Di-Canio-in-line-for-fair-play-awards.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/premier-league/2994930/Di-Canio-in-line-for-fair-play-awards.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=18 December 2000 |access-date=15 January 2011}}{{cbignore}}</ref> After unsuccessfully trying to persuade the referee to change his decision about the penalty, Fowler took it tamely and Seaman saved. However, Seaman failed to hold on to the ball and [[Jason McAteer]] scored from the rebound.<ref>{{cite news |title=Football: Liverpool survive Arsenal revival |first=Glenn |last=Moore |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-liverpool-survive-arsenal-revival-1275000.html |newspaper=The Independent |date=25 March 1997 |access-date=15 January 2011}}</ref> Although many people believe that he deliberately took the penalty kick poorly for reasons of fair play, Fowler said at the time: "As a goalscorer it's part of my job to take it and I wanted to score it. I tried to score. I never missed on purpose. It just happened, it was a bad penalty."<ref>{{cite news |title=Has anyone missed a penalty on purpose? |first1=James |last1=Dart |first2=Benjie |last2=Goodhart |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2007/sep/05/theknowledge.sport |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=5 September 2007 |access-date=4 December 2013}}</ref>

==== Spice Boys ====
Fowler was part of a group of Liverpool players from the mid-1990s who were dubbed "The [[Spice Boys (footballers)|Spice Boys]]" by the press following a series of off-field controversies.<ref name=spice/> The term was subsequently used in a derogatory manner, implying Fowler and colleagues such as [[Jamie Redknapp]], [[Stan Collymore]], [[David James (footballer, born 1970)|David James]] and Steve McManaman were underachieving playboys.<ref name=spice/> The name had been coined due to rumours that Fowler was dating [[Emma Bunton]] of the [[Spice Girls]].<ref name=spice>{{cite news |last1=Hughes |first1=Simon |title=Liverpool's Spice Boys |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/1681697/2020/03/24/spice-boys-liverpool-redknapp-scales-fowler-mcmanaman/ |access-date=3 September 2024 |work=The New York Times |date=24 March 2020}}</ref> Fowler said that his successful career to that point had been "dismissed with contempt by those two tiny words".<ref name=spice/>

Liverpool were top of the Premier League by Christmas 1996, with three defeats in the first half of the season. By the end of January, they had been leapfrogged by [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]], who remained top for the rest of the season, while Liverpool finished 4th.<ref>{{cite news |title=1996/97 Season Review |url=https://www.premierleague.com/news/693498 |access-date=3 September 2024 |publisher=Premier League |date=24 May 2018}}</ref>

Fowler showed support for the [[Liverpool dockers' strike (1995–98)|Liverpool dockers' strike]] during a [[goal celebration]] in a UEFA Cup games against [[SK Brann]] in March 1997 where he unveiled a t-shirt which incorporated the [[Calvin Klein]] "CK" into the word doCKer.<ref>{{cite news |title=Football: Fowler fined for show of support |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-fowler-fined-for-show-of-support-1275535.html |access-date=10 October 2018 |work=The Independent}}</ref> He was fined £900 by [[UEFA]] and criticised by manager Roy Evans for the gesture.<ref>{{cite news |title=Playing politics |url=https://www.wsc.co.uk/the-archive/playing-politics/ |access-date=3 September 2024 |work=[[When Saturday Comes]] |date=May 1997}}</ref>

Fowler's performance in the [[1997–98 in English football|1997–98 football season]] was marred by an anterior cruciate (knee) ligament injury that kept him out of action for half of the season and caused him to miss the [[FIFA World Cup 1998|1998 World Cup]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2310838/Fowler-searches-in-vain-for-fitting-end.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2310838/Fowler-searches-in-vain-for-fitting-end.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Fowler searches in vain for fitting end |work=The Daily Telegraph |access-date=23 August 2007 |location=London |first=Tim |last=Rich |date=12 April 2007}}{{cbignore}}</ref> During this period of injury, fellow Liverpool striker, [[Michael Owen]] rose to prominence, making his debut in 1997. Owen established himself in the Liverpool team in Fowler's absence and played alongside him when Fowler regained his fitness.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Steinberg |first1=Jacob |title=The Joy of Six: the best of Michael Owen |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/oct/06/the-joy-of-six-the-best-of-michael-owen |access-date=3 September 2024 |work=The Guardian |date=6 October 2017}}</ref>

In 1999, Fowler was fined £60,000 by his club for bringing the game into disrepute. While [[Goal celebration|celebrating his goal]] against Liverpool's [[Merseyside]] rivals, Everton, Fowler used the white line of the [[Penalty area (football)|penalty area]] to simulate [[cocaine]] use.<ref name="MEN factfile"/><ref>{{cite news |title=Prankster Faces Suspension |work=The New York Times |date=7 April 1999 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/04/07/sports/plus-soccer-england-prankster-faces-suspension.html }}</ref> Liverpool manager [[Gérard Houllier]] stated that this was a [[Cameroon]]ian grass-eating celebration, learnt from teammate [[Rigobert Song]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Allsop |first=Derik |title=Football: Houllier defence is the real joke |work=[[The Independent]] |date=5 April 1999 |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-houllier-defence-is-the-real-joke-1085242.html |location=London}}</ref> Defending himself, Fowler later said this was a response to Everton fans who had insulted him with false accusations of [[Recreational drug use|drug abuse]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Robbie Fowler explains why he'll never regret THAT celebration against Everton |url=https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/robbie-fowler-explains-why-hell-never-regret-that-celebration-against-everton |access-date=3 September 2024 |work=FourFourTwo |date=29 April 2020}}</ref> Fowler received a six-match ban from [[The Football Association|the FA]] in April 1999, with four matches for this celebration. Fowler also received a two-match suspension for making alleged [[homophobic]] gestures towards Chelsea's [[Graeme Le Saux]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Fowler given six-match ban |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/315511.stm |access-date=3 September 2024 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=9 April 1999}}</ref>

==== Winning the cup treble ====
The [[2000–01 in English football|2000–01 season]] was Fowler's most successful season. He scored 17 goals, appeared in three finals, and lifted three trophies in a unique [[Treble (association football)|cup treble]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/1485742.stm|title=Liverpool primed for title assault|access-date=13 September 2008 |publisher=[[BBC Sport]] |date=13 August 2001}}</ref> In the absence of Jamie Redknapp, who was sidelined by injury, Fowler was named as Liverpool captain when he started.<ref name="LFCHistory"/> However he found himself the third-choice Liverpool [[Striker (association football)|striker]], with Houllier favouring a forward [[partnership]] of Michael Owen and [[Emile Heskey]].<ref name="LFCHistory"/>

He took part in a fourth-round [[Football League Cup|League Cup]] hammering of [[Stoke City F.C.|Stoke City]], scoring a hat-trick in an 8–0 victory, which was second only to the club's biggest ever win in 1986 – a 10–0 defeat of [[Fulham F.C.|Fulham]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Shaw |first=Phil |date=30 November 2000 |title=Football: Fowler hat-trick leads Liverpool record rout |newspaper=[[The Independent]] |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/fowler-hattrick-leads-liverpool-rout-624651.html |url-status=dead |access-date=15 January 2011 |archive-date=6 May 2013 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130506011710/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/fowler-hattrick-leads-liverpool-rout-624651.html }}</ref> In the [[Football League Cup Final 2001|League Cup final]] against [[Birmingham City F.C.|Birmingham City]], the club's first cup final since 1996, he captained the side and scored in the 30th minute. Liverpool went on to win the trophy on penalties, with Fowler scoring Liverpool's fifth in the shootout. 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 one against runaway champions [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]] and a free kick in the [[FA Cup]] semi-final against [[Wycombe Wanderers F.C.|Wycombe Wanderers]]. Fowler featured as a substitute in the [[FA Cup Final 2001|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 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 [[Deportivo Alavés]]. He came on in the 64th minute for Heskey with the score at 3–3. He scored seven minutes later but Alavés equalised before full-time and Liverpool eventually won with a [[golden goal]], an own goal, in the 116th minute.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/european/3005505/UEFA-Cup-Final-Liverpool-hit-treble-top.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/european/3005505/UEFA-Cup-Final-Liverpool-hit-treble-top.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=UEFA Cup Final: Liverpool hit treble top |first=Henry |last=Winter |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=16 May 2001 |access-date=4 December 2013}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Fowler and Hyypiä then raised Liverpool's third trophy of the season together. Liverpool's next and final game of the season was against [[Charlton Athletic F.C.|Charlton Athletic]] and Fowler scored twice in a 4–0 victory at [[The Valley (London)|The Valley]] that assured them [[UEFA Champions League]] qualification for the next season.<ref>{{cite news |title=Liverpool party begins at Charlton |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/1338359.stm |access-date=16 May 2015 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=19 May 2001}}</ref>

==== Liverpool departure ====
Fowler began the [[2001–02 in English football|2001–02 season]] controversially, after being dropped by Houllier from the Liverpool squad for the [[2001 Charity Shield]] match.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/1487707.stm |title=Fowler sweats on Anfield future|access-date=13 September 2008 |date=13 July 2001 |publisher=BBC Sport}}</ref> He made an appearance in Liverpool's 3–2 [[European Super Cup]] victory over [[FC Bayern Munich|Bayern Munich]],<ref>{{cite news |title=Super Liverpool record cup win |url=http://en.archive.uefa.com/competitions/supercup/history/season=2001/round=1560/match=68022/index.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120712164116/http://en.archive.uefa.com/competitions/supercup/history/season=2001/round=1560/match=68022/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=12 July 2012 |publisher=UEFA |date=24 August 2001 |access-date=15 January 2011}}</ref> but starts were intermittent. In October 2001, he scored his first league hat-trick for three years, helping Liverpool beat [[Leicester City F.C.|Leicester City]] 4–1, but was dropped for the following league match. Though Fowler had been on a contract extension from 1999 (unlike Steve McManaman – who exercised his [[Bosman ruling|Bosman entitlement]] the very same year), Fowler was linked to [[S.S. Lazio|Lazio]], [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]] and [[Leeds United F.C.|Leeds United]], and Liverpool's management as well as fans and the media constantly reported that what happened with McManaman (regarded as a huge financial loss) would never be repeated and thus the club never rejected those bids without consideration.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/FOWLER'S+FUTURE+PLAGUED+BY+THE+SHADOW+OF+MACCA%3B+AS+the+speculation+on...-a080361221 |title=FOWLER'S FUTURE PLAGUED BY THE SHADOW OF MACCA|first= Chris|last= Bascombe|publisher=Thefreelibrary.com |access-date=29 December 2010}}</ref> This meant that coupled with Fowler's relationship with Houllier, speculation over Fowler's future persisted for most of Houllier's tenure and became an issue that divided Liverpool fans.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/sports_talk/1488513.stm |title=Is Fowler's Anfield future bleak? |access-date=13 September 2008 |date=12 August 2001 |publisher=BBC Sport }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/1490333.stm |title=Fowler divides Liverpool fans |access-date=13 September 2008 |date=14 August 2001 |publisher=BBC Sport }}</ref> His last appearance for Liverpool was against [[Sunderland A.F.C.|Sunderland]], in which he was substituted at half-time.<ref>Fowler, p. 317.</ref><ref>{{cite news
|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/1671475.stm
|title=Heskey sinks Sunderland
|publisher=BBC
|date=25 November 2001 |access-date=21 March 2010}}</ref>

=== Leeds United ===
Despite his popularity with Liverpool fans, who referred to Fowler as "God",<ref name="god">{{cite news |last1=Matthews |first1=John |last2=Harte |first2=Adrian |date=3 February 2006 |title=Liverpool – City of God |work=UEFA |url=http://www.uefa.com/memberassociations/association=none/news/newsid=390452.html |access-date=15 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200502194736/https://www.uefa.com/memberassociations/association=none/news/newsid=390452.html |archive-date=2 May 2020}}</ref> [[Michael Owen]] and [[Emile Heskey]] had established themselves as Liverpool's regular strike partnership, leaving Fowler on the fringes of the first team. This, along with his difficult relationship with Houllier, made him seek regular first-team football away from Anfield in the form of a £12 million move to [[Leeds United]].<ref name="ESPN">{{cite web|title=Robbie Fowler |publisher=[[ESPN]] |url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/players/profile?id=7956&cc=5739 |access-date=13 September 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080916065907/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/players/profile?id=7956&cc=5739 |archive-date=16 September 2008 }}</ref> Fowler maintains that Houllier forced him out of Liverpool, and accused Houllier of pressuring the ''[[Liverpool Echo]]'' newspaper to use its influence to turn opinion against him.<ref name="Observer">{{cite news | title=Don't look back in anger | work=The Observer| url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2005/sep/04/features.sport|access-date=4 December 2013 | location=London | date=4 September 2005 | first=Sarah | last=Edworthy}}</ref>

The transfer went ahead just one month after his hat-trick at Leicester. He made his Leeds debut in an away game against Fulham in December 2001,<ref>{{cite news | title=How Fowler fared |publisher=BBC Sport | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/leeds_united/1688004.stm|access-date=13 September 2008 | date=2 December 2001}}</ref> the [[Craven Cottage|same ground]] where he had made his Liverpool debut eight years earlier. 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 FIFA World Cup|2002 World Cup]], but only made one appearance, coming on as a substitute in a second-round win over [[Denmark national football team|Denmark]].

Fowler suffered an aggravation of a pre-existing hip injury in the [[2002–03 in English football|2002–03 pre-season]], and did not recover until December.<ref name="ESPN"/> Struggling to gain fitness, and seeing teammates sold off due to a financial crisis, Fowler's form and market value diminished. It was despite this decrease in form that he still, in total, scored 15 goals in 31 appearances for Leeds; achieving an impressive strike rate of just less than one goal every two games. In 2002–03, Leeds finished 15th in the Premier League and a severe financial crisis was developing.

=== Manchester City ===
In the [[2002–03 in English football|2002–03 season]], Fowler was transferred to [[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]] following a protracted transfer saga. Fowler initially turned down the move and a dispute between Manchester City manager [[Kevin Keegan]] and chairman [[David Bernstein (executive)|David Bernstein]] over whether the transfer should take place due to medical concerns resulted in Bernstein leaving the club.<ref>{{cite web | title= The costly truth about Fowler| work=[[Manchester Evening News]] | date=30 September 2004 | url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/comment-the-costly-truth-about-fowler-1123464 |access-date=4 December 2013}}</ref> 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.<ref name="MEN factfile"/> Bizarre transfer conditions meant Leeds United still paid a significant proportion of Fowler's wages.<ref>{{cite news |title=New Leeds chairman uncovers fishy past |work=[[The Guardian]] |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2003/may/21/sport.comment1 |access-date=4 December 2013 |location=London |first=Dominic |last=Fifield |date=21 May 2003}}</ref> Fowler made his Manchester City debut against [[West Bromwich Albion F.C.|West Bromwich Albion]] on 1 February 2003,<ref>{{cite news |title=Baggies grab vital victory |publisher=BBC Sport |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/2694025.stm |access-date=13 September 2008 |date=11 February 2003}}</ref> 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 in English football|2003–04 season]], completing the full 90 minutes only nine times, however, he did score against his old club, Liverpool, in a 2–2 draw at home. The arrival of close friend Steve McManaman from [[Real Madrid C.F.|Real Madrid]] gave Fowler hope, but the pair failed to rekindle their prolific partnership from their time at Liverpool, and received criticism from the fans and tabloids for their salaries and alleged excesses;<ref>{{cite news |title=Spice Boy grows up |work=[[The Guardian]] |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2004/sep/21/sport.comment3 |access-date=4 December 2013 |location=London |first=Stephen |last=Moss |date=21 September 2004}}</ref> they were named and shamed in a [[sex scandal]] covered by the ''[[News of the World]]''<ref>{{cite news |title=Nothing new about ugly sex |first=Germaine |last=Greer |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2003/dec/16/sport.comment1 |newspaper=The Guardian |date=16 December 2003 |access-date=4 December 2013}}</ref> that year.

Despite the slump, Fowler rallied for the following campaign, and showed a marked improvement in the second half of the [[2004–05 in English football|2004–05 season]], scoring his 150th Premiership goal in the 3–2 win over [[Norwich City F.C.|Norwich City]] on 28 February 2005. However, his failure to convert a 90th-minute penalty kick against [[Middlesbrough F.C.|Middlesbrough]]'s [[Mark Schwarzer]] in the final game of the season prevented Manchester City from gaining a place in the [[UEFA Europa League|UEFA Cup]].<ref>{{cite news | title= City pay the penalty for Fowler miss | work=[[The Daily Telegraph]] | url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2359695/City-pay-the-penalty-for-Fowler-miss.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2359695/City-pay-the-penalty-for-Fowler-miss.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|access-date=13 September 2008 | location=London | first=Tim | last=Rich | date=16 May 2005}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Despite this, 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.<ref>{{cite book |last=James |first=Gary |title=Manchester City – The Complete Record |publisher=Breedon |location=Derby |year=2006 |isbn=1-85983-512-0 |page=504 }}</ref> Fowler later described this as "one of the proudest achievements of my career".<ref>Fowler, p. 347.</ref>

Fowler had injury problems at the start of the [[2005–06 in English football|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 United F.C.|Scunthorpe United]] in the FA Cup on 7 January 2006, in which he scored a hat-trick.<ref>{{cite news | title= Man City 3–1 Scunthorpe | publisher=BBC Sport | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/4565242.stm|access-date=13 September 2008 | date=7 January 2006}}</ref> The following week he scored Manchester City's third goal in their 3–1 win against local rivals Manchester United after coming on as a substitute. However, Fowler made only one more appearance for Manchester City before returning to Liverpool on a free transfer.<ref>{{cite news | title= Liverpool make shock Fowler swoop | publisher=BBC Sport | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/4655944.stm|access-date=13 September 2008 | date=27 January 2006}}</ref>

=== Return to Liverpool ===
[[File:Robbie Fowler.jpg|thumb|200px|Fowler playing for [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]] in 2007]]
On 27 January 2006, Fowler rejoined Liverpool from Manchester City on a free transfer, signing a contract until the end of the season. Fowler had remained a Liverpool fan after he left the club; he was in the [[Istanbul]] crowd when Liverpool won the Champions League in [[2005 UEFA Champions League Final|2005]].

Liverpool fans were delighted to learn that Fowler had returned; there were large banners in the game against [[Birmingham City F.C.|Birmingham City]] which read "God – number eleven, welcome back to heaven", with "God" being Fowler's nickname while he was previously at Liverpool.

Fowler's return against [[Birmingham City F.C.|Birmingham City]] in February 2006 was labelled by the tabloid press as the stuff of fairytales,{{citation needed|date=January 2019}} and he said he felt like "a kid waking up on Christmas morning every day".<ref name="god"/> Fowler's first appearance back at [[Anfield]] was as a substitute against Birmingham, receiving a standing ovation upon his introduction.<ref>{{cite news | title= Alonso spoils return of Kop's prodigal son | work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]| url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2331557/Alonso-spoils-return-of-Kops-prodigal-son.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2331557/Alonso-spoils-return-of-Kops-prodigal-son.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live| access-date=4 December 2013 | location=London | first=Henry | last=Winter | date=2 February 2006}}{{cbignore}}</ref> After his return, he had three goals ruled out for offside, before finally getting off the mark on 15 March 2006 in a home game against Fulham, the same opponents against which he scored his first-ever goal for Liverpool 13 years earlier.

Fowler's next Liverpool goal, against [[West Bromwich Albion F.C.|West Bromwich Albion]], meant he overtook [[Kenny Dalglish]] in the club's all-time top scorers. His resurgence continued as 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 F.C.|Blackburn Rovers]] on 16 April 2006. However, Fowler's fitness remained a concern. In March 2006, manager [[Rafael Benítez]] commented on Fowler's work and progress by saying, "to buy a Robbie Fowler who is fit and scoring goals would cost a lot, maybe £10m or more". Despite concerns about his fitness, Fowler finished the [[2005–06 in English football|2005–06 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,<ref>{{cite news | title= Fowler to sign new Liverpool deal| publisher=BBC Sport | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/4977356.stm| access-date=13 September 2008 | date=5 May 2006}}</ref> and celebrated by scoring the first goal in Liverpool's last league game of the season in a 3–1 away win at [[Portsmouth F.C.|Portsmouth]]. It was his final game of the season as he was unable to take part in the club's [[2006 FA Cup Final|FA Cup Final]] success due to being [[cup-tied]].

Fowler featured rarely in his final Liverpool season, making only six league starts. Bizarrely, all three of his League goals were penalties against [[Sheffield United F.C.|Sheffield United]]. One of these was in the away game on the opening day of the season, and the other two in the reverse fixture at [[Anfield]]. Appearances in other competitions were more common due to Rafael Benítez's [[squad rotation system|squad rotation policy]]. On 25 October 2006 Fowler was named as Liverpool's [[Captain (association football)|captain]] for the first time since his return in a [[Football League Cup|League Cup]] tie against [[Reading F.C.|Reading]], scoring just before half-time in a 4–3 win.

On 5 December, Fowler scored his first two goals in the [[UEFA Champions League]] competition proper against [[Galatasaray S.K. (football team)|Galatasaray]] (he had previously scored during a qualifying tie some six years prior against [[FC Haka]]),<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/6210854.stm |title=Clockwatch: Champions League |access-date=13 September 2008 |last=Cheese |first=Caroline |publisher=BBC Sport | date=5 December 2006}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Apologetic Fowler returns to the fold |first=John |last=Nisbet |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/apologetic-fowler-returns-to-the-fold-666439.html |newspaper=The Independent | date=21 August 2001 |access-date=14 January 2011 }}{{dead link|date=August 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> though Liverpool lost 3–2.

On 1 May 2007, he was a substitute in the Champions League semi-final against Chelsea, 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 goalkeeper. 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 Kuyt slotted home his winning penalty.<ref>{{cite news|title=Rafa hails spot-kick hero Zenden |first=Paul |last=Eaton |url=http://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/latest-news/rafa-hails-spot-kick-hero-zenden |work=[[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]] |date=2 May 2007 |access-date=4 December 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140102193708/http://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/latest-news/rafa-hails-spot-kick-hero-zenden |archive-date=2 January 2014 }}</ref>

In what transpired to be his last appearance for the club, against [[Charlton Athletic F.C.|Charlton Athletic]] on 13 May, Fowler was given the captain's armband one final time. He was substituted two minutes from the final whistle and given a standing ovation. He finished his second run as a Liverpool player with a [[UEFA Champions League]] runners-up medal, although he was not named in either the starting eleven or the seven substitutes. He became a free agent on 1 July having scored 183 goals in 369 appearances during his two spells at the club.<ref name="profile"/>

=== Cardiff City ===
On 21 July 2007 Fowler signed a two-year contract to play for [[Cardiff City F.C.|Cardiff City]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/ecclestone-eyes-arsenal-deal-as-fowler-joins-cardiff-458257.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20090917125631/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/ecclestone-eyes-arsenal-deal-as-fowler-joins-cardiff-458257.html |archive-date=17 September 2009 |title=Ecclestone eyes Arsenal deal as Fowler joins Cardiff |work=[[The Independent]] |location=London |first=Marc |last=Padgett |date=22 July 2007 |access-date=4 December 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> He missed the season's opening fixtures due to a lack of fitness,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2318835/Dave-Jones-rues-Cardiff-Citys-striker-shortage.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2318835/Dave-Jones-rues-Cardiff-Citys-striker-shortage.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Dave Jones rues Cardiff City's striker shortage |access-date=4 December 2013 |work=[[The Daily Telegraph]] | location=London | first=William | last=Johnson | date=13 August 2007}}{{cbignore}}</ref> making his debut in a [[League Cup]] tie on 28 August.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_cup/6963490.stm |title=Cardiff 1–0 Leyton Orient |access-date=13 September 2008 |publisher=BBC Sport | date=28 August 2007}}</ref> He scored his first two Cardiff goals on 22 September against [[Preston North End F.C.|Preston North End]], scoring with two headers.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/6996433.stm |title=Cardiff 2–2 Preston |access-date=13 September 2008 |publisher=BBC Sport | date=22 September 2007}}</ref> Fowler scored twice in his next game, a third round League Cup tie against [[West Bromwich Albion F.C.|West Brom]], which Cardiff won 4–2.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_cup/7008015.stm |title=West Brom 2–4 Cardiff |access-date=13 September 2008 |publisher=BBC Sport | date=25 September 2007}}</ref> This led to a fourth round tie against Fowler's former club Liverpool, at [[Anfield]], to which even the Liverpool faithful crowd urged Fowler to score seeing that it may be the last time he would play in Anfield but Cardiff were knocked out in a 2–1 defeat.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_cup/7017625.stm |title=Coventry to meet West Ham in cup |access-date=13 September 2008 |publisher=BBC Sport | date=29 September 2007}}</ref>

In November, Fowler travelled to [[Frankfurt]], Germany to see Dr. [[Hans-Wilhelm Müller-Wohlfahrt]], a specialist sports injuries doctor, to try and resolve a recurring hip problem that had left him lacking fitness in early season fixtures for the Bluebirds.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/cardiff_city/7087020.stm |title=Fowler seeks to solve hip worry |access-date=13 September 2008 |publisher=BBC Sport | date=9 November 2007}}</ref> The treatment involved taking around twenty-eight injections into his hip. He returned to full training in late November and made his comeback on 15 December as a late substitute in a 1–0 defeat against [[Bristol City F.C.|Bristol City]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/fowler-targets-charlton-2221605 |title=Fowler targets Charlton |date=30 November 2007 |access-date=4 December 2013 |publisher=[[South Wales Echo]] }}</ref> However he went on to suffer another injury blow just days later after a mistimed tackle in training from club captain [[Darren Purse]] left him with damaged ankle ligaments.<ref>"Terry Phillips A to Z of football, pg60" ''[[South Wales Echo]]'' Retrieved on 30 December 2007</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/robbie-fowler-fresh-injury-blow-2212855 |title=Robbie Fowler in fresh injury blow |access-date=4 December 2013 |work=[[South Wales Echo]] |date=21 December 2007 }}</ref> Due to the new injury blow Cardiff and Fowler made plans for him to go to [[Colorado]], United States to undergo keyhole surgery on the hip problem, which had plagued him in recent seasons, in the hope that it would finally resolve the problem.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/cardiff_city/7163268.stm |title=Fowler facing hip operation in US |access-date=13 September 2008 |publisher=BBC Sport | date=28 December 2007}}</ref>

On 17 January 2008, it was announced that Fowler could miss the rest of the [[2007–08 Cardiff City F.C. season|2007–08 season]] for Cardiff after his hip operation revealed that the injury was worse than previously thought. Surgeons were forced to perform a micro-fracture for the hip to heal properly.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/robbie-fowler-out-season-2203225 |title=Robbie Fowler out for season |access-date=4 December 2013 |work=[[South Wales Echo]] |date=17 January 2008 }}</ref> Despite this, he attempted to make a comeback at the end of the season to play in the [[2008 FA Cup Final|FA Cup final]] against [[Portsmouth F.C.|Portsmouth]] and was included in the 18-man match squad.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/cardiff_city/7380184.stm |title=Fowler in Cup final fitness race |access-date=19 May 2008 |publisher=BBC Sport | date=5 May 2008}}</ref> He did not feature in the game in and thus did not receive a runners-up medal having not made an appearance in the competition.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/7393770.stm |title=Portsmouth 1–0 Cardiff |access-date=19 May 2008 |publisher=BBC Sport | date=17 May 2008 | first=Phil | last=McNulty}}</ref>

=== Blackburn Rovers ===
Fowler was offered a new pay-as-you-play contract with Cardiff for the 2008–09 season in May 2008 and was expected to sign the contract. However, he pulled out of the deal, preferring to accept an offer of a trial at [[Blackburn Rovers F.C.|Blackburn Rovers]] from former Liverpool colleague [[Paul Ince]]. The move left Cardiff manager [[Dave Jones (football manager)|Dave Jones]] and chairman [[Peter Ridsdale]] furious after the club had assisted Fowler's rehabilitation throughout the summer. After training with Blackburn and appearing in a handful of friendlies he was offered a six-month deal by the club to last until January, 
Fowler concluded the trial period at Blackburn by agreeing to a three-month pay-as-you-play deal.<ref name="Blackburn complete Fowler signing">{{cite news |title=Blackburn complete Fowler signing |publisher=BBC Sport |date=12 September 2008 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/blackburn_rovers/7563127.stm |access-date=23 December 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Rovers agree Robbie deal |publisher=[[Sky Sports]] |date=10 September 2008 |url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11676/4126633 |access-date=4 December 2013}}</ref> He stated that he was eager to return to the Premier League and that his pre-existing relationship with Ince would not earn him any preferential treatment.<ref name="Blackburn complete Fowler signing"/> He made his first appearance against [[Everton F.C.|Everton]] in a 1–0 win in the League Cup on 24 September.<ref>{{cite web |title=Blackburn Rovers 1–0 Everton |publisher=[[RTÉ]] |date=24 September 2008 |url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/english-cup/2008/0924/238625-blackburn_everton/ |access-date=4 December 2013}}</ref> With a month left on his contract at Blackburn, Fowler received interest from [[EFL League Two|League Two]] side [[Grimsby Town F.C.|Grimsby Town]]. Fowler, a friend of then Grimsby manager [[Mike Newell (footballer)|Mike Newell]] had held talks at [[Blundell Park]] over a possible Player/Coach role with the club.<ref>{{cite news|title=Grimsby confirm Fowler interest |work=[[The Independent]] |date=1 December 2008 |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/grimsby-confirm-fowler-interest-1043955.html |access-date=1 December 2008 | location=London}}</ref>

His three-month deal at Blackburn expired on 12 December 2008,<ref>{{cite news|title=Fowler departs Rovers|work=[[Lancashire Telegraph]]|url=http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/search/3974091.Fowler_makes_Blackburn_Rovers_exit/|date=13 December 2008|access-date=18 December 2008|archive-date=3 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121003020026/http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/search/3974091.Fowler_makes_Blackburn_Rovers_exit/|url-status=dead}}</ref> and after not being offered a new contract was released by the club,<ref>{{cite news |title=Blackburn release veteran Fowler |publisher=BBC Sport |date=23 December 2008 |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/blackburn_rovers/7798305.stm |access-date=23 December 2008}}</ref> he entered talks with new Australian [[A-League]] club [[North Queensland Fury FC|North Queensland Fury]].<ref>{{cite web|first=Marco|last=Monteverde|url=http://www.foxsports.com.au/football/a-league/fury-interested-in-fowler/story-e6frf4jl-1111118514825|title= North Queensland Fury considering Robbie Fowler as marquee signing |work=[[Fox Sports (Australia)|Fox Sports]]|date=9 January 2009|access-date=4 December 2013 }}</ref>

=== North Queensland Fury ===
[[File:Robbie Fowler-Fury.jpg|thumb|upright|Fowler playing for [[North Queensland Fury FC|North Queensland Fury]] in 2009]]
Fowler signed with the [[North Queensland Fury FC|North Queensland Fury]] on 4 February 2009 and became their inaugural [[marquee player]]; with his family relocating to [[Townsville, Queensland|Townsville]] for the [[A-League 2009-10|2009–10 season]] of the [[A-League|Australian A-League]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.foxsports.com.au/football/a-league/fowler-signs-with-fury/story-e6frf4jl-1111118752487 |title=Robbie Fowler joins North Queensland Fury |publisher=Foxsports.com.au |date=4 February 2009 |access-date=4 December 2013}}</ref> It was an important signing for the new franchise who struggled to sign a marquee player, while some questioned whether Fowler would be able to cope with the heat and humidity of [[North Queensland]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theroar.com.au/2009/02/04/fowler-signs-for-north-queenslandfury/ |title=Fowler signing may be a poisoned chalice for the Fury |publisher=Theroar.com.au |date=4 February 2009 |access-date=29 December 2010}}</ref>

Fowler made his debut in July 2009 in a 2–1 pre-season loss against Wolverhampton Wanderers in [[Perth, Western Australia|Perth]] after recovering from groin and hip complaints.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-sport/fowler-scores-but-wolves-still-too-good-20090715-dlci.html |title=Fowler scores but Wolves still too good |work=[[The Age]] |date=15 July 2009 |first=Justin |last=Chadwick |access-date=29 August 2009 | location=Melbourne}}</ref> Fowler was subsequently named [[North Queensland Fury]]'s captain for the 2009–10 season and the first {{citation needed|date=December 2016}} in the club's history. He scored his first A-League goal from a penalty kick in his club's first competitive match against [[Sydney FC]] on Saturday 8 August 2009. In rounds four, five, and six Fowler scored ''Solo's Hyundai A-League Goal of the Week''.

Shortly after his arrival in Australia, it was reported in the British media that Fowler would be making a swift return to his homeland and sign for [[Football League One|League One]] side [[Tranmere Rovers F.C.|Tranmere Rovers]], who had just appointed Fowler's former Liverpool teammate [[John Barnes (footballer)|John Barnes]] as manager. However, Fowler was quick to dismiss talk of a quick return to England.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/tranmere-rovers/5775586/Robbie-Fowler-dismisses-Tranmere-link.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/tranmere-rovers/5775586/Robbie-Fowler-dismisses-Tranmere-link.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |work=The Daily Telegraph |title=Robbie Fowler dismisses Tranmere link |date=8 July 2009}}{{cbignore}}</ref> When Barnes was dismissed three months later, it was reported that Tranmere had approached Fowler about becoming player-manager, but these reports too were dismissed.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/tranmere-rovers/6323574/Robbie-Fowler-has-not-been-approached-by-Tranmere.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/tranmere-rovers/6323574/Robbie-Fowler-has-not-been-approached-by-Tranmere.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |work=The Daily Telegraph |title=Robbie Fowler has 'not been approached by Tranmere' |date=14 October 2009}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

Fowler ended the season collecting a hat-trick of awards at the club's end-of-season awards night, he was awarded the club's Player of the Year, Players' Player of the Year and the Golden Boot as top goal scorer.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2010-02-28/fowler-sweeps-fury-awards/345536 |publisher=ABC News |title=Fowler sweeps Fury awards |date=2 November 2012}}</ref> On 15 June 2010, Fowler confirmed that he was taking legal action over the ending of his playing contract with North Queensland Fury. He was suing the Fury and Football Federation Australia, which took over the running of the club.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/8740685.stm |title=Furious Robbie Fowler vows to sue North Queensland Fury |date=15 June 2010 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=15 June 2010}}</ref>

=== Perth Glory ===
On 27 April 2010, it was announced that Fowler had agreed to become part of Glory's squad for the 2010–11 A-League season.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/8646021.stm|title=Robbie Fowler makes A-League switch to Perth Glory |date=27 April 2010|work=BBC Sport|access-date=15 June 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Braden Quartermain |url=http://www.perthnow.com.au/sport/robbie-fowler-signs-with-perth-glory/story-e6frg1wu-1225858876180 |title=Robbie Fowler signs with Perth Glory |publisher=Perth Now |date=27 April 2010 |access-date=29 December 2010}}</ref> Fowler reportedly ignored offers from Middle East clubs as well as [[Sydney FC]] to play in Perth. He joined the Glory for pre-season training in mid-June, following World Cup sponsorship commitments. Fowler scored his first goal for Perth on 29 August, a penalty against [[Melbourne Heart]]. He followed this up with a headed goal the following week against the [[Wellington Phoenix]]. In the following match, Fowler's hat-trick gave the Glory a 3–1 victory against [[Melbourne Victory]] at the [[Dairy Farmers Stadium]] in Townsville. Fowler ended the year as top scorer for the club.

=== Later career ===
[[File:Robbie Fowler 2013.jpg|thumbnail|right|Fowler during [[Steven Gerrard]]'s testimonial on 3 August 2013]]
On returning to England, Fowler briefly worked with [[EFL League One|League One]] side [[Milton Keynes Dons F.C.|Milton Keynes Dons]] on an ad hoc basis to assist the club's coaching staff. On 7 April 2011, [[Bury F.C.|Bury]] confirmed that Fowler would join their coaching staff for a week to assist [[Richie Barker (footballer, born 1975)|Richie Barker]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.buryfc.co.uk/page/LatestNews/0,,10422~2333258,00.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120630225255/http://www.buryfc.co.uk/page/LatestNews/0,,10422~2333258,00.html |archive-date=30 June 2012 |title=Offer of help accepted |publisher=Buryfc.co.uk. |date=7 April 2011 |access-date=4 December 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Fowler then briefly coached [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]]'s strikers in April 2011.

On 7 July 2011, Fowler agreed to play with [[Muangthong United F.C.|Muangthong United]], signing a one-year contract. In a press conference he stated that the weather conditions of [[Nonthaburi Province|Nonthaburi]] should not be a problem as he had played in [[Townsville]] and [[Perth, Western Australia|Perth]]. He was quickly a hit with Muangthong fans and the Thai public in general; he attended [[Thai national football team|Thailand]]'s [[2014 FIFA World Cup qualification – AFC third round|World Cup Qualifier]] against Oman wearing the national team's shirt. He has since played a handful of scoreless games, both at the [[Yamaha Stadium (Thailand)|Yamaha Stadium]] and on the road in the [[AFC Cup 2011|AFC Cup]], until the Twin Qilins were eliminated from the competition by [[Al-Kuwait]]. After the sacking of [[Henrique Calisto]] as head coach, Fowler was made [[Player-coach|player/coach]].<ref name="mtufc.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.mtufc.com/|title=เอสซีจี เมืองทอง ยูไนเต็ด SCG MTUTD, SCG MUANGTHONG UNITED กิเลนผยอง|access-date=26 November 2015}}</ref><ref name="espn.co.uk">{{cite news|url=http://www.espn.co.uk/football/sport/story/99904.html|title=Robbie Fowler signs for Muang Thong United|date=7 July 2011|work=ESPN|access-date=7 July 2011|archive-date=24 September 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120924224749/http://www.espn.co.uk/football/sport/story/99904.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="straitstimes.com">{{cite news|url=http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Sport/Story/STIStory_688100.html|title=Robbie Fowler to play for Thai club|date=7 July 2011|work=Straits Times|access-date=7 July 2011|archive-date=15 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110715041259/http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Sport/Story/STIStory_688100.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Fowler to play in Thailand">{{cite news|url=http://www.timeslive.co.za/sport/soccer/2011/07/07/fowler-to-play-in-thailand|title=Fowler to play in Thailand |date=7 July 2011|work=Times Live|access-date=7 July 2011}}</ref><ref name="Fowler in shock move to Thailand">{{cite news|url=http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/07072011/58/world-football-fowler-shock-move-thailand.html|title=Fowler in shock move to Thailand|date=7 July 2011|work=Yahoo! Eurosport|access-date=7 July 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711170323/http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/07072011/58/world-football-fowler-shock-move-thailand.html|archive-date=11 July 2011}}</ref>

After 250 minutes of play, Fowler scored his first goal for MTU against [[Chiangrai United F.C.|Chiangrai]] on 16 October 2011. He scored his 250th club career goal on 21 December 2011 against [[TTM Phichit F.C.|TTM Phichit]]. in January 2012, Fowler announced he had left the club, who then appointed [[Slavisa Jokanovic]] as coach.<ref>{{cite news|title=New coach for SCG Muang Thong United|work=Bangkok Post |url=http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/sports/281912/new-coach-for-scg-muang-thong-united|publisher=BangkokPost|date=28 February 2012|access-date=10 March 2012}}</ref>

On 1 March 2012, [[Blackpool F.C.|Blackpool]] manager [[Ian Holloway]] confirmed that Fowler was training with ''the Seasiders'' and that he could earn a deal until the end of the season.<ref name=bfc2629806>{{cite web|url=http://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10432~2629806,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120304014059/http://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10432~2629806%2C00.html |archive-date=4 March 2012 |title=^ "FOWLER TRAINING WITH BLACKPOOL |publisher=[[Blackpool F.C.|Blackpool]] |date=1 March 2012 |access-date=4 December 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> However, they could not agree a deal and Fowler decided against signing when [[Karl Oyston]] offered the striker £100 a week.<ref>{{cite news |title=Robbie Fowler decides against move to Blackpool |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/17320404 |access-date=26 August 2020 |work=BBC Sport |date=9 March 2012}}</ref>

Fowler was on a six-man shortlist and interviewed for the vacant manager's job at [[Conference Premier|Conference]] side Macclesfield Town in May 2013,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22426371 |title=Robbie Fowler: Liverpool legend on Macclesfield Town shortlist - BBC Sport |website=Bbc.co.uk |date=6 May 2013 |access-date=17 May 2017}}</ref> but caretaker manager [[John Askey]] was eventually appointed on a full-time basis.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cheshire-today.co.uk/16379/john-askey-the-new-manager-of-macclesfield-town/ |title=John Askey the new manager of Macclesfield Town|access-date=10 November 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110210706/http://www.cheshire-today.co.uk/16379/john-askey-the-new-manager-of-macclesfield-town/ |archive-date=10 November 2013 }}</ref>

Fowler featured in [[Steven Gerrard]]'s testimonial match against [[Olympiacos F.C.]] on 3 August 2013. He came off the bench in the 73rd minute to a warm reception from Liverpool fans.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Markham |first1=Carl |title=Liverpool 2 Olympiacos 0 match report: Luis Suarez a second-half substitute in Steven Gerrard testimonial win |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/liverpool-2-olympiacos-0-match-report-luis-suarez-a-second-half-substitute-in-steven-gerrard-8744738.html |access-date=26 August 2020 |work=The Independent |date=3 August 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Liverpool beat Olympiacos in Gerrard testimonial |url=https://www.eurosport.com/football/premier-league/2011-2012/liverpool-beat-olympiacos-in-gerrard-testimonial_sto3868428/story.shtml |website=Eurosport |access-date=26 August 2020 |date=3 August 2013}}</ref> On 21 April 2014, Fowler also featured in a charity match to commemorate the lives of the 96 Liverpool fans who died in the [[Hillsborough Disaster]]. Fowler scored both goals for his team in a 2–2 draw.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/Robbie9Fowler/status/551164020594466817 |title=Robbie Fowler on Twitter|work=Twitter|access-date=26 November 2015}}</ref> and so officially announced his retirement. In May 2016, it was revealed that Fowler would return to the pitch to play for England in [[Soccer Aid]], a charity football match in aid of UNICEF, alongside [[Jamie Carragher]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://blogs.unicef.org.uk/2016/05/02/four-footballing-legends-liverpool-manchester-united-join-soccer-aid-line/ |title=Liverpool and Manchester United legends are first football players for Soccer Aid line-up |publisher=Unicef |date=3 May 2016 |access-date=3 May 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160605064214/https://blogs.unicef.org.uk/2016/05/02/four-footballing-legends-liverpool-manchester-united-join-soccer-aid-line/ |archive-date=5 June 2016 }}</ref>