THE TIME WAS JUST RIGHT TO RETURN
‘I couldn’t stay away from the game’ says Lee
HE’S one of Non-League football’s most colourful and controversial characters but no-one has ever doubted the talent Lee Fowler possesses.
Now he’s back in football after over two years away, as assistant manager at Nuneaton, and I couldn’t wait to catch up with him...
LEE, IT’S GREAT TO SEE YOU BACK IN THE GAME AS ASSISTANT MANAGER AT NUNEATON. HOW DID THIS COME ABOUT?
I turned down the chance last season to join Nuneaton as the timing wasn’t right. I have a good relationship with Lee Thorn and also Nicky Eaden, they asked me to join as assistant and after two-and-ahalf years away from football and with me getting the itch again going in at Tamworth towards the end last season, I felt the time was now. I felt it was time to make the journey back into the game I’ve only ever known. Since the move my phone hasn’t stopped from players, managers and chairman all in contact with me regarding opinions on players’ numbers and links. It’s very full on.
WHAT DO YOU ALREADY KNOW IF ANYTHING ABOUT THE NATIONAL NORTH NEXT SEASON?
In the games I saw last season, Harrogate were very good and efficient, Kidderminster played academy style football – great on the eye but their Achilles heel was that final hurdle in gaining promotion through the play-offs. Salford worked hard and there will to win and finding a way to win was why they won the league.
So, for me, 90 per cent of the teams are hard-working 4-4-2, back to front very quick. I would call it a workman’s league.
NUNEATON ARE FULL-TIME ALONG WITH A HANDFUL OF TEAMS. APART FROM FITNESS WHAT OTHER ADVANTAGES WILL THIS HAVE FOR YOU?
Unless you’re Graham Westley, 9-5 every day. It’s the same as part-time really as the two days of workloads are Tuesdays and Thursdays with no game in midweek. Rest, recovery and set-plays are key. Most teams nowadays are fully fit or take the fitness very seriously. We can use each minute and each day to get fitter with a more togetherness and more organisation, but all this is irrelevant if they can’t transfer the training in games into results.
DO YOU MISS PLAYING?
I don’t miss playing. The rollercoaster of emotions people don’t understand is that if you win you don’t want to come home and if you lose you don’t want to leave the house or speak to anyone until the next time you’re in training. It’s changed now. The mindset of some lads is different, some laugh and joke within 20 minutes of a defeat.
I miss the banter, the training and the routine. Some of the things we see in our environment many people wouldn’t believe happen and as a player I wasn’t far away from the thick of things, good or bad. But it’s all part of team spirit, one which wins you games.
WHAT’S THE PROUDEST MOMENT IN YOUR ILLUSTRIOUS CAREER?
I’ve won numerous promotions which you would think would be my biggest achievement after having the amount clubs I’ve had! I’ve always left through my choice not theirs. My proudest though is just staying in a game that’s ruthless. People will do what they have to do to succeed. So to stay in the game for 19 years and be able to stick a middle finger up to those who doubted me and tarnished me without even speaking to me is a great satisfaction.
BIGGEST REGRET IN FOOTBALL?
My biggest regret was leaving Wrexham the way I did when I went to Fleetwood. Family deaths and heavy debt sunk me to a low and turning down League One moves and Doncaster in the Championship to give my young family a chance of a good home life.
LIFE AFTER FOOTBALL?
I came away from football and learnt a trade with Timpsons shoe repair. I had a complete break from the game and went in a different direction.
I want to be successful in football. It’s a game I know and love. I’m hopefully getting my A Licence this summer with the Welsh FA. I will give everything and anything to be a success as a coach and assistant.
BEST FOOTBALL TALE?
I’d stopped drinking for 12 months or so and came back to Wrexham flying and in great shape.
We went out to play Aberystwyth in a friendly; we won 6-0 and I did well. The lads’ spirits were high and we decided to have a drink. Dean Saunders (manager) walks in the bar and Jay Harris shouts as loud as he possibly could “Dean you curly headed Welshman get the drinks in”. Dean heard this, but decided to ignore it. As the night went on me and Jay decided to re arrange his windscreen wipers (and a lot more) on his brand new BMW X5. We blamed it on each other so he couldn’t prove anything, but nevertheless we were both fined. Two weeks later we played Wolves and I scored a goal. Being cheeky as I am I did the windscreen wiper movement as my celebration; the lads loved it, not sure about the gaffer though.
I can laugh about that night now but, in truth, I was very silly and he may not have signed me for all of those clubs had he known what a prat I was.