Fowler: My Autobiography

by Robbie Fowler

Pronounced as the greatest goalscoring talent since Jimmy Greaves, 17-year old Robbie Fowler was immediately catapulted to fame and fortune. The thin, baby-faced Toxteth lad was now a millionaire, an idol, and inspiration to every kid who kicked a soccer ball. Yet his incredible potential was never quite realized. Injuries and persistent rumors of drug abuse and depression meant that he never became the world-beater so many predicted. This is a fascinating and unbelievably frank insight into the game, and a candid account of an incredible career, taking us behind the closed doors of professional soccer to expose what really happens at both club and international level.

Genres: Football, Biography, Nonfiction, Sports, Autobiography

352 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[Gary · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a frank autobiography by ex Liverpool and England striker Robbie Fowler. I had recently read the autobiography of ex England footballer Ian Wright so it was interesting to compare the books. Although this book was interesting in parts it did not grab me like Ian Wrights book. I found this book a little repetitive and dragged on compared to the upbeat writing in the Ian Wright book.
I found the book a little similar to Robbie's football career, promised so much more but in the end failed to live up to the true potential.

[Brian Onaissy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I chose to read this book, at the same time with Bill Shankly's biogarphy, because each of these men, were influential figures in Liverpool, plus they both are heroes, each in his own time. This book reflects the life of a normal English boy, who went from playing football on the streets, to become the first teenage millilonare (in football), how it affected him on and off the pitch, positively and negatively, and how he handled the fame and fortune, and the flaws that accompany it, from drug abuse rumors, to drinking rumors, and how he was able to thrive. All this is told in this biography, which is full of emotions, and could lead to be a great example to young footballers.

[Leo . · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book Robbie lad. Liverpool legend.🐯👍

[Carl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Whilst I've always liked Fowler and found much of the content interesting and honest, I was bored with the repetition in this book.

Fowler often starts a chapter repeating almost word for word the last comments of the previous chapter (almost as though the reader will have forgotten it when turning the page). He also goes on too long with his criticism of certain characters. Whilst I have no doubt his portrayal of Houllier is accurate, did he really need to devote an entire chapter to him?

would have preferred a little more insight into some of the biggest matches and moments he had been involved in rather than just the usual "I scored 3 against them and then 2 against them".

Whilst I still like Fowler and appreciate him as a player he came across as very insecure (by his own admission) and this seems to some degree have contributed to his early than expected decline,

[Александър К. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Легендарната девятка на Ливърпул разказва откровено своята история като не спестява нищо.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

Captures a period of upheaval in pro football as the new era of the premier league rocketed the economics into the stratosphere, changing the game in many ways. Robbie, a huge hero to me, was the kid from Toxteth who rode this wave of insanity. He comes across as bitter and unprofessional at times, but as he points out it was a unique experience that would have freaked out anyone and it seems wrong to judge him too harshly. You're still God to me Robbie and was brilliant to see you play in wellington. Owe you for cementing my passion for LFC. YNWA.

[Elaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

So my overall feeling on finishing this book is probably something the same as Robbies...bitterness towards Houllier (& Phil Thompson - Liverpool legend that he is) for forcing him out of Anfield the first time round. You really can't help thinking what might've been...

[Ryan Yung · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting look into fowlers life and career. The what ifs as usual for what could've been England's most prolific goalscorer. I felt the writing style was a tad too casual and a few too many swear words were used. As a Fowler fan though, I found this a great read. Great man.

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fowler is my favorite player, but he is very bitter toward Gerd and Thomo in this book.

[Chris Harrison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok but comes across as having a major chip on his shoulder over Owen and Rooney and how they have taken his young prodigy mantle

[Martin · Rating 1 out of 5]

In a word CRAP !!!!

[Guy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't get the bad reviews for this.

Its amongst the best autobiographies I've read and the best football one.

This is a great insight into his upbringing, learning and career.

Its also an excellent insight into 90's football in England which is interesting to those with any interest in the period - not just Liverpool fans. From the likes of YTS contracts, stories with other well known teams like Arsenal and United as well as hilarious stories with his own team mates and some of the older Liverpool names like Phil Thompson. Also his England experience which is enlightening.

I can only assume some of the ratings on here are from rival fans because this is never less than 3* and I put it at 4.

Fowler comes from the last of that generation who didn't get mega contracts early. He worked hard for his success and was earnings £100's not £1,000s when he started and remained a kid from Liverpool during his breakthrough years.

I like the guy and recommend this to casual as well as Liverpool fans.

[J.T. McAndrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

not a bad book and pretty eye opening for any football fan, i would only read this book as a football fan, some good early stories but fuckoff robie lad you didnt shag any women and huge chunks of the second half are how robie never touched a drug, WHATEVER.

[Adam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book, and i agree it is a little repetitive, it was a enjoyable look intro his career, especially his relationship with Gerrard houlier. I was and am a fan of Robbie and of Liverpool FC. Robbie if you read this i would love to buy you a beer some time.

[Ben · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant book

[Jonathan Elwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was very interested read from start to finish

[Ed Fernyhough · Rating 3 out of 5]

Vaguely interesting if you're a football fan & can distantly remember Fowler's playing days. No matter how many times he says "not to sound too big-headed but", I remain unconvinced...

[Simon Jones · Rating 2 out of 5]

struggled to get through it, cant pinpoint what it was

[Jack Youd · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good read but my only difficulty was how long the chapters were and at times it is hard to stay engaged with what he is saying. Fun to hear stories of his Liverpool days. Good read.

[David Clover · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this being both a Liverpool and Robbie Fowler fan! Still worth reading, to say the least! It is about people's lives, and you can see that in Robbie's face. It has highs and lows, including things that you would not have expected to be the case. You can tell it is authentic, and that is one of the reasons that it is a five star book. I can remember reading when going to work by train to and from HMRC some sixteen years ago :) It is still definitely worth reading today, just as it was then, especially as soccer ⚽ (football plus heading, chest control etc......!) has suffered for not learning the lessons of Robbie's life account within! If justice was justice, he would have won four Premiership titles, three FA Cups, two league cups, two UEFA Cups, one Champions League, and 71 England caps with 46 goals :)

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

For me it was a pretty fast read, not because it was boring but i knew as a liverpool fan and having read it before, knew most of what Robbie was talking about . God as he is known by the Anfield faithful. Growing up Robbie was and still is a hero of mine and reading the book has brought back so many memories of his time at Liverpool and his footballing career overall. A brilliant read and will be reading it again.

[Alex]

"We all live in a Robbie Fowler house, a Robbie Fowler house, a Robbie Fowler house"

[Aizzuddin Muis · Rating 2 out of 5]

I need personal enlightenment on the nose strips, Robbie, so here goes nothing.