The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
‘Ziggy’ aims to help deliver league title to Rovers before Cottagers switch
Bowie thanks McGlynn for ‘deep end’ throw as Cottagers bag him
Kieron Bowie has thanked Raith Rovers for “throwing him in at the deep end” this year after sealing a £150,000 move to English Championship club Fulham.
The 17-year-old attacker has enjoyed a stunning breakthrough season at Stark’s Park after leaving school only last summer to join his boyhood heroes fulltime.
He has netted 10 times in 29 appearances so far this term and will see out the campaign with the promotionchasing Kirkcaldy club before moving to London.
The teenager made his first-team debut less than a year ago after being asked to train while still at school. He has developed at a remarkable rate since a 10-minute cameo against Montrose last February.
Aware they had a special talent on their hands, Rovers moved quickly to tie him down to a new longer contract back in July.
His progress under John McGlynn and assistant Paul Smith caught the attention of Hearts, among a host of other clubs. But following talks in London last week it is Fulham who have won the race for his signature.
Nicknamed “Ziggy”, Bowie has now set his sights on leaving his hometown team with the present of the League 1 title before beginning the next chapter of his career.
He said: “The last year or so has been a whirlwind and a dream to play and score in the first-team. To now get the chance to join a club the size of Fulham is really exciting and a great opportunity to help progress my career. I will be forever grateful for the chance the management team have given me, so it was really important for me to finish the season with Raith.
“Hopefully I can repay this by helping them win the league. I’m looking forward to joining Fulham for preseason and getting started.
“It’s every football fan’s dream to play for the team they grew up supporting and everyone would give their all if they were playing.
“So that’s what I’m trying to do, just give my all for the team I’ve supported all my life.
“I can’t thank Smudger (Smith) and the gaffer enough for what they’ve done for me. They’ve just put the belief in me and helped develop my game right at the start of my career.
“My physical and technical attributes have just come on a lot since they brought me in here.
“They’ve thrown me in the deep end with a lot of experienced professionals at such a young age. I was surprised by how much belief they had in me.
“Last week, I went down to Fulham for the day, just to see what it was like down there, and I was impressed by the size of the training facilities and the quality. I’m really looking forward to developing the next stage of my career at Fulham.”
Raith were eager for Bowie to stay at the club for the rest of the season rather than leave in the recent transfer window and McGlynn, who has handed Dylan Tait a 12-month contract extension, insists the youngster will then move on with everyone’s blessing.
Hesaid:“Ithasbeenapleasureworking and seeing Kieron develop so quickly. He has improved beyond all recognition in the last 12 months. We’re also happy that Fulham have allowed Kieron to stay with us for the remainder of this season to continue his development.
“We feel it’s a great opportunity for Kieron to join a club such as Fulham, who have a great history.”