- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
Robbie Fowler has pledged his full allegiance to A-League club North Queensland Fury and coach Ian Ferguson, admitting he feels “embarrassed” by the saga surrounding his future.
Speaking for the first time since watching last Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Brisbane from the stands after an apparent fall-out with Ferguson when relegated to the bench, Fowler insisted on Friday there was no rift and promised to see out his two-year contract.
In an at-times testy press conference in Townsville, the former England and Liverpool legend stressed his desire to move on and concentrate on trying to lead the Fury to an unlikely finals berth, starting in Saturday night’s vital clash with Newcastle.
“In hindsight, things can be said and things can be done but what’s happened has happened,” Fowler said.
“The gaffer’s already said there’s no rift … obviously people do have disagreements and at end of the day he’s the manager and as a player you have got to listen to what the manager says.
“Things could have been avoided and obviously they weren’t and we’ve moved on, everything’s finished now.”
The club claimed the incident was a result of a “misunderstanding” and while Fowler hinted he regretted his reaction to being dropped, he denied it had anything to with his status in the game.
“Not at all, I’ve been dropped before,” Fowler said.
“It’s not a case of my ego, or me being big-headed it’s just one of them things.
“I’d just like to put it all behind us, I’ve been embarrassed, the gaffer’s been embarrassed and I think we’ve embarrassed the club, moreso me.
“Let’s forget about it now and move on because we’ve got a massive three games coming up now.”
Fowler said he would definitely see out the second season of his two-year contract after this campaign and also hit out at reports he had told the club that he would not play under Ferguson next year.
“I would just never give any ultimatums like that,” Fowler said.
“… I’m here to do a job. I play for a club and regardless of whatever club you play for you still want to do well.”
Ferguson guaranteed Fowler would return to the starting line-up against the Jets but said he would would be willing to drop Fowler again if he felt it was best for the team.
“If I had to yeah, I’m here to make decisions,” Ferguson said.
Fowler has impressed in his debut A-League season, scoring nine goals, though his last came in November.
The ninth-placed Fury sit five points outside the top six with three games to play and still believe they can reach the finals.
“We’ve got to go into the game with the belief we can do it. I’m a believer,” Fowler said.
Are you the ultimate team manager? Pick your own superstar team and go head to head with other football fans for glory and cash prizes on Draftstars. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.