MX23RW : Thursday, April 25 08:29:34| >> :60:2162:2162:

On this day: Robbie Fowler completes switch to Leeds United

Fourteen years ago today, Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler finalised his move to Leeds United for a reported £11m.

Such is the esteem that Robbie Fowler is held in among the Liverpool faithful, many of them still refer to him as 'God'.

Known for his predatory instincts in front of goal, Toxteth-born Fowler found the back of the net 183 times in 369 appearances for the club over two spells.

However, as the 2001-02 campaign got underway, it became apparent very quickly that Fowler was no longer first choice in the eyes of manager Gerard Houllier, with whom he was reported to share a fractious relationship.

Houllier had forked out decent money 12 months earlier to sign Emile Heskey from Leicester City and he was frequently preferred to partner a young Michael Owen in attack. It was a situation that relegated Fowler to a bit-part role and with his ability to score goals in mind, it was little wonder that speculation started to link him with a host of clubs.

Chelsea and Blackburn Rovers, as well as Serie A outfit Lazio, were all said to be keen, but it was big-spending Champions League semi-finalists Leeds United that won the race for Fowler's services 14 years ago today.

His arrival - thought to have cost the Yorkshire outfit around £11m - came at a time when Leeds were parting with hefty sums in a bid to reach the summit of English football once again.

From the player's point of view, he made the switch with the following summer's World Cup at the forefront of his mind. Had he waited for things to change at Liverpool, there was every chance that he would be overlooked by England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson.

"It is hard when three players at one club are fighting for two places," he said of the situation at Liverpool.

"With me, Michael Owen and Emile Heskey all trying to get into the team it made it more difficult for me with England. Leeds have offered me a challenge and I feel as though I will be given a better chance here."

"It was fairly obvious how things have panned out. Things haven't gone well for me and I needed a new challenge. Leeds United are as good as any club in Europe. When you look at the squad it is good and young. In the years to come they will be a major team."

Meanwhile, Leeds boss David O'Leary added: "When Jimmy Hasselbaink left I offered £12m for Robbie, and we have been chasing him ever since. I have bought an outstanding goalscorer. Technically he is as good as anyone."

Despite bagging 12 goals during his first season in a Leeds shirt, Fowler's new club finished fifth and therefore missed out on a place in the Champions League and all the revenues that it provided - something that continues to haunt the club to this day.

Injuries then started to take hold, meaning that when he departed for Manchester City in January 2003, he did so having appeared on only 33 occasions for Leeds, which yielded a return of 14 goals.

ID:258808: cacheID:258808:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:4527:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Mark Viduka of Leeds celebrates his goal and leeds'' first during the Premiership match between Leeds United and Bradford City at Elland Road on May 13, 2001
Read Next:
OTD: Leeds hammer Bradford
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal34245582265677
2Liverpool34228475344174
3Manchester CityMan City32227376324473
4Aston Villa34206871502166
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs32186865491660
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd33165125150153
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle331551369541550
8West Ham UnitedWest Ham34139125463-948
9Chelsea32138116157447
10Bournemouth34129134960-1145
11Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton321111105250244
12Wolverhampton WanderersWolves34127154654-843
13Fulham34126165054-442
14Crystal Palace34109154456-1239
15Brentford3498175259-735
16Everton34118153648-1233
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3479184260-1826
18Luton TownLuton3467214775-2825
19Burnley3458213769-3223
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd3437243392-5916


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!