FORMER CITY MAN LEE’S BATTLE CRY TO REDS
COVENTRY City may have given Lee Fowler his break. They may have provided a home from the age of 14.
But if the Crawley midfielder condemns the Sky Blues to League Two in this afternoon’s do-or-die tussle at the Broadfield, he won’t be shedding any tears.
“It’s them or us,” says the 31-year-old, whose side begin the day in 21st position, two points and three places adrift of Coventry.“My past there doesn’t count for anything. If I score a free-kick or knock in a corner that wins us the game, I’ll be celebrating just as much as anyone.
“I’m playing for my family, for the family of everyone else at Crawley. If we get relegated, everybody’s quality of life goes down.”
Fowler, whose 93-day loan from Nuneaton ends today, joined Coventry – then in the Premier League – aged 14 and spent six years at Highfield Road before joining Huddersfield in 2003.
“I travelled with the first team at 15, was on the bench against Newcastle at 16,” he recalls.“It was the season we went down, and I was actually supposed to play the last 15 games. I played with a carefree sort of attitude and that’s what they needed.
“But because I was only 16, Carlton Palmer refused pointblank to play with me. He basically said ‘Why should I have to play with a kid who has never been tested?’
“Gordon Strachan said ‘We need him in the team’ but that Carlton would have to sit behind me and be disciplined. He basically just walked out of the meeting and said ‘I’m not doing it’. Three weeks later, I got injured for the rest of the season.”
Since then, Fowler – who made just 14 appearances for Coventry – has played for 18 clubs, the majority in NonLeague. And this summer, he’d all but quit the game after a glandular illness left him fatigued and overweight.
A goal on debut for Crawley and nine assists since has revived his career and Fowler says League One survival would mark its high point.
“I’ve been lucky to win a few promotions,” he added. “But the whole euphoria of the season – from being out of the game to performing well in League One and potentially staying up - would top it.”
Victory for Crawley – who have collected 28 points since Dean Saunders replaced John Gregory on December 27 – will ensure survival for the Red Devils. By the same token, defeat would condemn them to relegation.
Coventry need only a draw, whilst Crewe and Notts County – who face Bradford (home) and Gillingham (away) respectively – will also stay up with a victory.
Should they slip up, however, that will open the door for Colchester or Leyton Orient, currently in 22nd and 23rd. The U’s face a daunting visit from promotion-hunting Preston, whilst Fabio Liverani’s Orient travel to Swindon. The pair must win and hope at least two other results go their way.