90-493: AXA Melwood Training Centre , in West Derby , Liverpool is the training ground and academy for Liverpool Football Club's Women's first team, youth teams and academy . It was formerly the men's first team's training ground from the 1950s until November 2020. It was not attached to The Liverpool F.C. Academy , which is at Kirkby . Melwood was bought by affordable housing development company Torus in 2019, as Liverpool invested in
180-461: A 26–0 rout. Despite growing up as an Everton fan, Fowler's career began with Liverpool. He signed as a youth team player on leaving school in the summer of 1991, signing professional terms on his 17th birthday, 9 April 1992. Fowler's first involvement with the Liverpool first team came on 13 January 1993, when he was an unused substitute in an FA Cup third round tie against Bolton Wanderers . In
270-466: A 2–2 draw at Old Trafford on 1 October 1995, and twice in a 2–0 win at Anfield on 16 December. On 14 December 1996, he scored four against Middlesbrough , including his hundredth for Liverpool. This meant he reached a century of goals one game quicker than his first strike partner, Ian Rush, in just 165 games. That year, he also won a UEFA Fair Play award for denying that he had been fouled by Arsenal goalkeeper David Seaman at Highbury after
360-555: A 90th-minute penalty kick against Middlesbrough's Mark Schwarzer in the final game of the season prevented Manchester City from gaining a place in the UEFA Cup . Despite this, Fowler ended the season as the club's joint top goal scorer and gained the approval of the fans, finishing in the top three in the fans' Player of the Year poll. Fowler later described this as "one of the proudest achievements of my career". Fowler had injury problems at
450-535: A bus service to Bootle Strand and Aigburth Vale, to the south of the city. Bus route 18 runs from the Croxteth Park estate to Liverpool City Centre. The former Channel 4 soap opera Brookside was filmed on a housing development built on part of Lord Sefton's estate. Robbie Fowler Robert Bernard Fowler (born 9 April 1975) is an English football coach and former player. He most recently managed Saudi First Division League side Al-Qadsiah . As
540-485: A forward partnership of Michael Owen and Emile Heskey . He took part in a fourth-round League Cup hammering of Stoke City , scoring a hat-trick in an 8–0 victory, which was second only to the club's biggest ever win in 1986 – a 10–0 defeat of Fulham . In the League Cup final against Birmingham City , the club's first cup final since 1996, he captained the side and scored in the 30th minute. Liverpool went on to win
630-451: A fourth round tie against Fowler's former club Liverpool, at Anfield , to which even the Liverpool faithful crowd urged Fowler to score seeing that it may be the last time he would play in Anfield but Cardiff were knocked out in a 2–1 defeat. In November, Fowler travelled to Frankfurt , Germany to see Dr. Hans-Wilhelm Müller-Wohlfahrt , a specialist sports injuries doctor, to try and resolve
720-435: A gymnasium, swimming pools, saunas, a hydrotherapy pool, rehabilitation rooms, a new canteen and a state-of-the-art synthetic pitch. Even the management area received a significant upgrade, with his new office featuring ceiling-to-floor glass windows, situated on the first floor overlooking the training pitches. New offices for coaches and analysts, along with media facilities, were housed in the new building. When Liverpool won
810-468: A handful of friendlies he was offered a six-month deal by the club to last until January, Fowler concluded the trial period at Blackburn by agreeing to a three-month pay-as-you-play deal. He stated that he was eager to return to the Premier League and that his pre-existing relationship with Ince would not earn him any preferential treatment. He made his first appearance against Everton in a 1–0 win in
900-511: A local school. Melwood was named after two priests, Father Melling and Father Woodlock, who taught football at the school's playing fields. Liverpool moved into the facility in the 1950s, after previously training on the Anfield grass. This was having a detrimental effect on the pitch and a decision was eventually made to take over a few football pitches in the West Derby area of the city. However, by
990-460: A micro-fracture for the hip to heal properly. Despite this, he attempted to make a comeback at the end of the season to play in the FA Cup final against Portsmouth and was included in the 18-man match squad. He did not feature in the game in and thus did not receive a runners-up medal having not made an appearance in the competition. Fowler was offered a new pay-as-you-play contract with Cardiff for
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#17328548101461080-670: A penalty against Melbourne Heart . He followed this up with a headed goal the following week against the Wellington Phoenix . In the following match, Fowler's hat-trick gave the Glory a 3–1 victory against Melbourne Victory at the Dairy Farmers Stadium in Townsville. Fowler ended the year as top scorer for the club. On returning to England, Fowler briefly worked with League One side Milton Keynes Dons on an ad hoc basis to assist
1170-522: A penalty had been given. After unsuccessfully trying to persuade the referee to change his decision about the penalty, Fowler took it tamely and Seaman saved. However, Seaman failed to hold on to the ball and Jason McAteer scored from the rebound. Although many people believe that he deliberately took the penalty kick poorly for reasons of fair play, Fowler said at the time: "As a goalscorer it's part of my job to take it and I wanted to score it. I tried to score. I never missed on purpose. It just happened, it
1260-632: A player, he was a striker , and is the ninth-highest goalscorer in the history of the Premier League . He is best known for his time at Liverpool , initially from 1993 to 2001. He scored 183 goals in total for Liverpool, earning the nickname "God" from the Anfield fans, and he is Liverpool's second-top scorer in the Premier League . He subsequently played for Leeds United and Manchester City , before returning to Liverpool in January 2006. He moved to Cardiff City eighteen months later. He played there for
1350-610: A recurring hip problem that had left him lacking fitness in early season fixtures for the Bluebirds. The treatment involved taking around twenty-eight injections into his hip. He returned to full training in late November and made his comeback on 15 December as a late substitute in a 1–0 defeat against Bristol City . However he went on to suffer another injury blow just days later after a mistimed tackle in training from club captain Darren Purse left him with damaged ankle ligaments. Due to
1440-613: A substitute. However, Fowler made only one more appearance for Manchester City before returning to Liverpool on a free transfer. On 27 January 2006, Fowler rejoined Liverpool from Manchester City on a free transfer, signing a contract until the end of the season. Fowler had remained a Liverpool fan after he left the club; he was in the Istanbul crowd when Liverpool won the Champions League in 2005 . Liverpool fans were delighted to learn that Fowler had returned; there were large banners in
1530-463: A top-class training facility. He introduced the five-a-side games that defined his "pass and move, keep it simple", philosophy. Players would meet and change for training at Anfield and then board the team bus for the short trip to Melwood. After training, they would get the bus back to Anfield to shower and change and get a bite to eat. Shankly thus ensured all his players had warmed down correctly, and he would keep his players free from injury. Indeed, in
1620-558: A total of 116 in just over three years. Fowler's partnership with Steve McManaman was largely described as the reason why Liverpool had become the club known for being the most potent attacking force in England at the time, and Fowler was renowned for scoring goals of all varieties, from every angle and distance, with McManaman describing him as the "greatest goalscorer of all time". Stan Collymore , Fowler's regular strike partner for two seasons from 1995, said in his autobiography that Fowler
1710-546: A training facility once again with a ceremony welcoming the Women’s first team. On 23 September 2023, Liverpool Football Club announced that Melwood would be officially known as the ‘ AXA Melwood Training Centre’, with AXA aligning their commitment to both the men’s and women’s teams. In 1998, youth and development teams had been moved to a new 56-acre integrated training facility at The Academy in Kirkby . Due to size constraints of
1800-452: A year before transferring to Blackburn Rovers on a short-term deal. In December 2008, he departed Blackburn and played in Australia with North Queensland Fury and Perth Glory . In 2011, he joined Thai side Muangthong United as a player, but later was appointed player-manager, which he remained until his retirement in 2012. Fowler was capped for England 26 times, scoring 7 goals. He
1890-418: Is fit and scoring goals would cost a lot, maybe £10m or more". Despite concerns about his fitness, Fowler finished the 2005–06 season scoring on a more consistent basis than Liverpool's other strikers. In May 2006 he was offered a new one-year contract with the club, and celebrated by scoring the first goal in Liverpool's last league game of the season in a 3–1 away win at Portsmouth . It was his final game of
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#17328548101461980-539: Is now a small public park, the shape and dimensions of which are similar to that of a Roman barracks or castra . The remnants of a wooden castle were unearthed on this plot during excavations in the mid 1930s. West Derby is mostly within the Liverpool West Derby Parliamentary constituency currently represented by Ian Byrne . The part of West Derby that is in the Croxteth Country Park ward
2070-442: Is open to the public between 2 pm and 4 pm every Sunday except Easter from April to October inclusive, admission free. Opposite the courthouse is a set of Victorian cast iron stocks once used as a public restraint for offenders. Villagers used fruit and rotten vegetables to throw at the offenders. The stocks were placed in their current position to commemorate the coronation of Edward VII in 1902. Temporarily removed in 2008 whilst
2160-595: Is within the Liverpool Walton Parliamentary constituency currently represented by Dan Carden . The district is covered by the Sandfield Park , West Derby Deysbrook , West Derby Leyfield , West Derby Muirhead , and the Croxteth Country Park wards. As of the 2023 elections West Derby is represented on Liverpool City Council by: Until 2023 West Derby was represented on the council by
2250-425: The 2001 FA Cup Final coming on as a 77th-minute replacement for Vladimír Šmicer . Liverpool, who were 1–0 down at that point, eventually won the game 2–1 with two goals from Owen. Fowler raised the trophy along with Sami Hyypiä and Jamie Redknapp. Four days later he was a substitute again in Liverpool's third final, the 2001 UEFA Cup Final against Deportivo Alavés . He came on in the 64th minute for Heskey with
2340-412: The 2002–03 pre-season , and did not recover until December. Struggling to gain fitness, and seeing teammates sold off due to a financial crisis, Fowler's form and market value diminished. It was despite this decrease in form that he still, in total, scored 15 goals in 31 appearances for Leeds; achieving an impressive strike rate of just less than one goal every two games. In 2002–03, Leeds finished 15th in
2430-693: The Kirkby training ground so the First Team and Academy could train together, with increased space and better facilities. Liverpool's First Team and Academy have trained at the AXA Training Centre in Kirkby since November 2020. Liverpool's plans to move in the summer of 2020 had been delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic . It was repurchased by the club in June 2023. The Melwood ground previously belonged to St Francis Xavier,
2520-595: The Liverpool dockers' strike during a goal celebration in a UEFA Cup games against SK Brann in March 1997 where he unveiled a t-shirt which incorporated the Calvin Klein "CK" into the word doCKer. He was fined £900 by UEFA and criticised by manager Roy Evans for the gesture. Fowler's performance in the 1997–98 football season was marred by an anterior cruciate (knee) ligament injury that kept him out of action for half of
2610-598: The Norman Conquest and was the largest area within the West Derby Hundred which covered most of south west Lancashire . Contrary to popular belief, the original Earls of Derby were not conferred their title from West Derby, but from Derbyshire, Robert de Ferrers being the first Earl. Subsequent titles were created and bestowed on the Stanley Family. The Derby (horse race) is named after Edward Smith-Stanley,
2700-562: The West Derby ward . Alder Hey Children's Hospital is located on the south side of West Derby, at Eaton Road. Both Everton and Liverpool football clubs located their training grounds in West Derby, Everton at Bellefield and Liverpool at Melwood . However, Everton moved to their new complex in south Liverpool called Finch Farm in 2007 and Liverpool announced the sale of the Melwood training ground in August 2019. The West Derby Society
2790-402: The civil parish had a population of 168,915. On 1 April 1922 the parish was abolished and merged with Liverpool. West Derby once had a Motte and Bailey castle , now completely disappeared, at Castlesite Road and Meadow Lane In 1327 it was reported to be in ruins. There is also some suggestion of a Roman site on a street called Castlesite (nicknamed "The Rosies" by some locals). The site
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2880-405: The same ground where he had made his Liverpool debut eight years earlier. Fowler scored 12 goals in the remainder of the season, helping Leeds to a UEFA Cup qualifying place. Fowler was included in the England squad for the 2002 World Cup , but only made one appearance, coming on as a substitute in a second-round win over Denmark . Fowler suffered an aggravation of a pre-existing hip injury in
2970-482: The 12th Earl. Note that the term 'local Derby' actually comes from the town of Derby. There still remains a courthouse built in the reign of Queen Elizabeth I : the first ( Wapentake ) court in West Derby was established around 1,000 years ago. The West Derby Courthouse, built in 1586, was restored and conserved in 2005 and is the only freestanding post-medieval courthouse in Britain. The tiny Grade II* listed building
3060-471: The 1965–66 season, Liverpool finished as champions using just 14 players, and two of those only played a handful of games. In January 2001 Liverpool started work on the Millennium Pavilion, a modern facility for players and coaches, designed in part and heavily influenced by then manager Gérard Houllier . Houllier announced that the new upgrade would include new changing areas for players and referees,
3150-462: The 2008–09 season in May 2008 and was expected to sign the contract. However, he pulled out of the deal, preferring to accept an offer of a trial at Blackburn Rovers from former Liverpool colleague Paul Ince . The move left Cardiff manager Dave Jones and chairman Peter Ridsdale furious after the club had assisted Fowler's rehabilitation throughout the summer. After training with Blackburn and appearing in
3240-487: The 2019–20 season, allowing subsequent redevelopment of Melwood from summer 2020 onwards into 160 homes, mixed between detached and semi-detached properties, with an enclosed community amenity space. However the housing never materialised, as Liverpool FC backtracked and re-purchased the Melwood site. In November 2023, Liverpool submitted fresh plans to Liverpool City Council for the reinstallation of floodlights on three pitches and new signs. Other plans include work to combine
3330-466: The Chelsea defender as questioning his sexuality. The 2000–01 season was Fowler's most successful season. He scored 17 goals, appeared in three finals, and lifted three trophies in a unique cup treble . In the absence of Jamie Redknapp, who was sidelined by injury, Fowler was named as Liverpool captain when he started. However he found himself the third-choice Liverpool striker , with Houllier favouring
3420-566: The Football Association. Included in the plans for the site, Melwood would continue to run community outreach programmes for its award-winning LFC Foundation programmes, as well as offering education programmes to young people via the Robbie Fowler Education and Football Academy (FEFA). In the summer of 2023, Melwood once again went through refurbishment, redevelopment and upgrades, and on 8 September 2023 officially re-opened as
3510-461: The League Cup on 24 September. With a month left on his contract at Blackburn, Fowler received interest from League Two side Grimsby Town . Fowler, a friend of then Grimsby manager Mike Newell had held talks at Blundell Park over a possible Player/Coach role with the club. His three-month deal at Blackburn expired on 12 December 2008, and after not being offered a new contract was released by
3600-437: The Liverpool women’s team. On June 8, 2023, Liverpool Football Club officially announced that it had re-purchased the iconic landmark to once again serve as a dedicated training base, as it had done for 70 years. This time it would be home to Liverpool Women's First Team. The club also announced it would be home to Liverpool Women's academy and youth teams after being awarded a Category 1 Professional Game Academy (PGA) licence by
3690-502: The Premier League and a severe financial crisis was developing. In the 2002–03 season , Fowler was transferred to Manchester City following a protracted transfer saga. Fowler initially turned down the move and a dispute between Manchester City manager Kevin Keegan and chairman David Bernstein over whether the transfer should take place due to medical concerns resulted in Bernstein leaving
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3780-621: The Reds had come on 16 October 1993, when an 87th-minute equaliser at home to struggling Oldham Athletic saved the Reds from what would have been one of the biggest Premier League shocks of the season, with a last gasp own goal giving Liverpool a 2–1 win. He scored twice in a 3–3 draw at Tottenham Hotspur on 18 December 1993. His first 13 games for the club yielded 12 goals, and he was rewarded with an England Under-21 debut against San Marino in November 1993, in which he scored England's opening goal in
3870-474: The UEFA Champions League for the fifth time in 2005, Rafael Benítez found a new home for the famous trophy, a glass case in the main entrance. The final upgrade came during Brendan Rodgers ' time as manager. Upgrades were made to the changing rooms, a new main entrance was built which housed a bust of Shankly's head next to his famous 'We Are Liverpool' quote, and The Champions Wall was added. Rodgers
3960-501: The Week . Shortly after his arrival in Australia, it was reported in the British media that Fowler would be making a swift return to his homeland and sign for League One side Tranmere Rovers , who had just appointed Fowler's former Liverpool teammate John Barnes as manager. However, Fowler was quick to dismiss talk of a quick return to England. When Barnes was dismissed three months later, it
4050-475: The Year in two consecutive years in 1995 and 1996, a feat also achieved only by Ryan Giggs , Wayne Rooney and Dele Alli . Throughout the mid and late 1990s, Fowler was widely considered to be the most natural finisher playing in England. Fowler sealed this reputation as he scored more than 30 goals for three consecutive seasons, up to 1997. He remains the only player to have scored 30 plus goals in his first three full seasons in England scoring 98 goals with
4140-420: The appointment of Roy Evans as successor built up hope for a brighter future at Anfield after the disappointment of the first two FA Premier League seasons. During the 1994–95 season Fowler was a constant member of the Liverpool side, playing in all of their 57 competitive matches, including the victory in the 1995 League Cup final , and a match against Arsenal on 28 August 1994 in which he scored what
4230-476: The area include Holly Lodge Girls' College , St. Marys Primary School, St. Paul's Junior School, Blackmoor Park Junior School and Emmaus Primary School. Well known residents of West Derby have included: West Derby railway station was located on the North Liverpool Extension Line . The station building has since become a shop and the access ramps to the former platforms remain, although one of
4320-436: The best of the decade in a Premier League poll. The match helped prevent Newcastle from winning the league, but it was not enough for Liverpool to clinch the title; they finished third while Manchester United were crowned champions. Fowler also played in his first FA Cup Final that season, but was on the losing side as Manchester United won 1–0. He had scored four goals against United in the league that season, scoring twice in
4410-554: The club never rejected those bids without consideration. This meant that coupled with Fowler's relationship with Houllier, speculation over Fowler's future persisted for most of Houllier's tenure and became an issue that divided Liverpool fans. His last appearance for Liverpool was against Sunderland , in which he was substituted at half-time. Despite his popularity with Liverpool fans, who referred to Fowler as "God", Michael Owen and Emile Heskey had established themselves as Liverpool's regular strike partnership, leaving Fowler on
4500-415: The club's all-time top scorers. His resurgence continued as he marked his 31st birthday with a goal against Bolton Wanderers. He made it four goals in five games when he scored the only goal in a 1–0 victory over Blackburn Rovers on 16 April 2006. However, Fowler's fitness remained a concern. In March 2006, manager Rafael Benítez commented on Fowler's work and progress by saying, "to buy a Robbie Fowler who
4590-553: The club's coaching staff. On 7 April 2011, Bury confirmed that Fowler would join their coaching staff for a week to assist Richie Barker . Fowler then briefly coached Liverpool 's strikers in April 2011. On 7 July 2011, Fowler agreed to play with Muangthong United , signing a one-year contract. In a press conference he stated that the weather conditions of Nonthaburi should not be a problem as he had played in Townsville and Perth . He
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#17328548101464680-579: The club, he entered talks with new Australian A-League club North Queensland Fury . Fowler signed with the North Queensland Fury on 4 February 2009 and became their inaugural marquee player ; with his family relocating to Townsville for the 2009–10 season of the Australian A-League . It was an important signing for the new franchise who struggled to sign a marquee player, while some questioned whether Fowler would be able to cope with
4770-468: The club, against Charlton Athletic on 13 May, Fowler was given the captain's armband one final time. He was substituted two minutes from the final whistle and given a standing ovation. He finished his second run as a Liverpool player with a UEFA Champions League runners-up medal, although he was not named in either the starting eleven or the seven substitutes. He became a free agent on 1 July having scored 183 goals in 369 appearances during his two spells at
4860-446: The club. On 21 July 2007 Fowler signed a two-year contract to play for Cardiff City . He missed the season's opening fixtures due to a lack of fitness, making his debut in a League Cup tie on 28 August. He scored his first two Cardiff goals on 22 September against Preston North End , scoring with two headers. Fowler scored twice in his next game, a third round League Cup tie against West Brom , which Cardiff won 4–2. This led to
4950-467: The club. Following encouragement from Keegan, Fowler finally signed for Manchester City on 16 January 2003 for an initial fee of £3 million and a further £3 million dependent upon appearances. Bizarre transfer conditions meant Leeds United still paid a significant proportion of Fowler's wages. Fowler made his Manchester City debut against West Bromwich Albion on 1 February 2003, but made a poor start to his Manchester City career, scoring just two goals in
5040-529: The end of the decade, the training base had significantly deteriorated. When manager Bill Shankly arrived in 1959, the three playing fields and adjoining pavilion had not been maintained and the pitches were overgrown. In his autobiography, Shankly described it as a “sorry wilderness”. On seeing what looked like two huge bomb craters in one of the playing surfaces, he asked “have the Germans been here?” Shankly and his staff subsequently sought to transform Melwood into
5130-635: The ending of his playing contract with North Queensland Fury. He was suing the Fury and Football Federation Australia, which took over the running of the club. On 27 April 2010, it was announced that Fowler had agreed to become part of Glory's squad for the 2010–11 A-League season. Fowler reportedly ignored offers from Middle East clubs as well as Sydney FC to play in Perth. He joined the Glory for pre-season training in mid-June, following World Cup sponsorship commitments. Fowler scored his first goal for Perth on 29 August,
5220-514: The fans and tabloids for their salaries and alleged excesses; they were named and shamed in a sex scandal covered by the News of the World that year. Despite the slump, Fowler rallied for the following campaign, and showed a marked improvement in the second half of the 2004–05 season , scoring his 150th Premiership goal in the 3–2 win over Norwich City on 28 February 2005. However, his failure to convert
5310-596: The following close season, Fowler helped the England under-18 team win the 1993 European Championship , before making a scoring first-team debut in Liverpool's 3–1 win in a second round League Cup tie at Fulham on 22 September 1993. Fowler scored all five goals in the second leg at Anfield two weeks later, making him the fourth player in Liverpool's history to score five in a senior fixture. He scored his first league hat-trick against Southampton on 30 October 1993 in only his fifth league game. His very first league goal for
5400-636: The fringes of the first team. This, along with his difficult relationship with Houllier, made him seek regular first team football away from Anfield in the form of a £12 million move to Leeds United . Fowler maintains that Houllier forced him out of Liverpool, and accused Houllier of pressuring the Liverpool Echo newspaper to use its influence to turn opinion against him. The transfer went ahead just one month after his hat-trick at Leicester. He made his Leeds debut in an away game against Fulham in December 2001,
5490-459: The game against Birmingham City which read 'God – number eleven, welcome back to heaven', with 'God' being Fowler's nickname while he was previously at Liverpool. Fowler's return against Birmingham City in February 2006 was labelled by the tabloid press as the stuff of fairytales, and he said he felt like "a kid waking up on Christmas morning every day". Fowler's first appearance back at Anfield
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#17328548101465580-412: The ground with the existing Robbie Fowler Academy on site and a portable cabin for use as a welfare facility for the academy and LFC Foundation. West Derby West Derby ( / ˈ d ɑːr b i / DAR -bee ) is a leafy suburb of Liverpool , in the county of Merseyside , England. It is located east of the city and is also a Liverpool City Council ward . At the 2011 Census ,
5670-635: The heat and humidity of North Queensland . Fowler made his debut in July 2009 in a 2–1 pre-season loss against Wolverhampton Wanderers in Perth after recovering from groin and hip complaints. Fowler was subsequently named North Queensland Fury 's captain for the 2009–10 season and the first in the club's history. He scored his first A-League goal from a penalty kick in his club's first competitive match against Sydney FC on Saturday 8 August 2009. In rounds four, five, and six Fowler scored Solo's Hyundai A-League Goal of
5760-459: The new injury blow Cardiff and Fowler made plans for him to go to Colorado , United States to undergo keyhole surgery on the hip problem, which had plagued him in recent seasons, in the hope that it would finally resolve the problem. On 17 January 2008, it was announced that Fowler could miss the rest of the 2007–08 season for Cardiff after his hip operation revealed that the injury was worse than previously thought. Surgeons were forced to perform
5850-408: The next season. Fowler began the 2001–02 season controversially, after being dropped by Houllier from the Liverpool squad for the 2001 Charity Shield match. He made an appearance in Liverpool's 3–2 European Super Cup victory over Bayern Munich , but starts were intermittent. In October 2001, he scored his first league hat-trick for three years, helping Liverpool beat Leicester City 4–1, but
5940-517: The passages have been closed off to the public. The track has been lifted and the trackbed now forms part of National Cycle Network National Cycle Route 62 and a public footpath between Liverpool and Southport . Bus routes 12, 13 and 15 run through West Derby and provide links to the City Centre, Huyton, and Stockbridge Village; the 15 bus also links to the nearby Alder Hey Children's Hospital. Bus route 61 also runs through West Derby, and provides
6030-518: The population was 14,382. Mentioned in the Domesday Book , West Derby achieved significance far earlier than Liverpool itself. The name West Derby comes from an Old Norse word meaning "place of the wild beasts" or "wild deer park" and refers to the deer park (now Croxteth Park) established there by King Edward the Confessor . West Derby became the main administrative area in today's Liverpool for
6120-430: The remainder of the season. Fowler continued to struggle with fitness problems in the 2003–04 season , completing the full 90 minutes only nine times, however, he did score against his old club, Liverpool, in a 2–2 draw at home. The arrival of close friend Steve McManaman from Real Madrid gave Fowler hope, but the pair failed to rekindle their prolific partnership from their time at Liverpool, and received criticism from
6210-445: The score at 3–3. He scored seven minutes later but Alavés equalised before full-time and Liverpool eventually won with a golden goal , an own goal, in the 116th minute. Fowler and Hyypiä then raised Liverpool's third trophy of the season together. Liverpool's next and final game of the season was against Charlton Athletic and Fowler scored twice in a 4–0 victory at The Valley that assured them UEFA Champions League qualification for
6300-526: The season and caused him to miss the 1998 World Cup . During this period of injury, fellow Liverpool striker, Michael Owen rose to prominence, making his debut in 1997. Owen established himself in the Liverpool team in Fowler's absence and played alongside him when Fowler regained his fitness. In 1999, Fowler was fined £60,000 by his club for bringing the game into disrepute. While celebrating his goal against Liverpool's Merseyside rivals, Everton, Fowler used
6390-522: The season as he was unable to take part in the club's FA Cup Final success due to being cup-tied . Fowler featured rarely in his final Liverpool season, making only six league starts. Bizarrely, all three of his League goals were penalties against Sheffield United . One of these was in the away game on the opening day of the season, and the other two in the reverse fixture at Anfield . Appearances in other competitions were more common due to Rafael Benítez's squad rotation policy . On 25 October 2006 Fowler
6480-407: The site and obvious secrecy issues associated with Melwood, in 2017 LFC revealed a plan of a proposed redevelopment of the Kirkby centre at a cost of £50 million, allowing the first team to move training to the expanded facility. The approved plan incorporated the first team and the academy at Kirkby, allowing the redevelopment of Melwood into housing. The Kirkby plan was expected to be completed before
6570-448: The site was renovated, the stocks have since been put back in place. The area was home to the Earls of Sefton (family name Molyneux ), whose house, Croxteth Hall, and the surrounding countryside estate now forms Croxteth Park , an attractive public space. In 1835 and 1895, Liverpool boundaries expanded to include West Derby. From 1894 to 1895 West Derby was an urban district . In 1921
6660-453: The start of the 2005–06 season and rarely featured when fit, making just two substitute appearances in the first four months of the season. His first start of the season came against Scunthorpe United in the FA Cup on 7 January 2006, in which he scored a hat-trick. The following week he scored Manchester City's third goal in their 3–1 win against local rivals Manchester United after coming on as
6750-434: The third minute. Fowler was unable to sustain his goal-a-game ratio throughout the season, but finished his first season as the club's second top scorer with 18 goals in all competitions, Ian Rush had scored 19. It was, however, a disappointing season for Liverpool, as they finished eighth in the Premier League without making an impact in any of the major competitions, though the departure of Graeme Souness as manager and
6840-514: The trophy on penalties, with Fowler scoring Liverpool's fifth in the shootout. Fowler picked up the Alan Hardaker Man of the Match award and lifted the trophy. Fowler's season picked up from there as he scored several important goals including one against runaway champions Manchester United and a free kick in the FA Cup semi-final against Wycombe Wanderers . Fowler featured as a substitute in
6930-562: The white line of the penalty area to simulate cocaine use. Liverpool manager Gérard Houllier stated that this was a Cameroonian grass-eating celebration, learnt from teammate Rigobert Song . Defending himself, Fowler later said this was a response to Everton fans who had insulted him with false accusations of drug abuse . Fowler received a six-match ban from the FA in April 1999, with four matches for this celebration and two for making gestures towards Graeme Le Saux which were interpreted by
7020-432: Was a bad penalty." Fowler was part of a group of Liverpool players from the mid-1990s who were dubbed "The Spice Boys " by the press following a series of off-field controversies. The term was subsequently used in a derogatory manner, implying Fowler and colleagues such as Jamie Redknapp , Stan Collymore , David James and Steve McManaman were underachieving playboys. The name had been coined due to rumours that Fowler
7110-451: Was a substitute in the Champions League semi-final against Chelsea, brought on in the last few minutes of extra-time . He set up an attack for Dirk Kuyt but the shot went straight at the Chelsea goalkeeper. The match went into a penalty shoot-out that Liverpool won. Fowler was due to take the fifth and final spot-kick, but the game had already ended when Kuyt slotted home his winning penalty. In what transpired to be his last appearance for
7200-433: Was as a substitute against Birmingham, receiving a standing ovation upon his introduction. After his return, he had three goals ruled out for offside, before finally getting off the mark on 15 March 2006 in a home game against Fulham, the same opponents against which he scored his first-ever goal for Liverpool 13 years earlier. Fowler's next Liverpool goal, against West Bromwich Albion , meant he overtook Kenny Dalglish in
7290-505: Was dating Emma Bunton of the Spice Girls . Fowler said that his successful career to that point had been "dismissed with contempt by those two tiny words". Liverpool were top of the Premier League by Christmas 1996, with three defeats in the first half of the season. By the end of January, they had been leapfrogged by Manchester United , who remained top for the rest of the season, while Liverpool finished 4th. Fowler showed support for
7380-426: Was dropped for the following league match. Though Fowler had been on a contract extension from 1999 (unlike Steve McManaman – who exercised his Bosman entitlement the very same year), Fowler was linked to Lazio , Arsenal and Leeds United , and Liverpool's management as well as fans and the media constantly reported that what happened with McManaman (regarded as a huge financial loss) would never be repeated and thus
7470-463: Was extremely supportive of the Women's first team, and had an excellent working relationship with his managerial counterpart manager Matt Beard . Both first teams would train often train together at Melwood. On May 31, 2023, it was reported that Liverpool had initiated conversations to buy back Melwood, as the housing project had fallen through. Melwood was to be repurposed as a dedicated training centre for
7560-438: Was founded in 1977 and holds regular monthly meetings and outings. It lobbies on planning and environmental issues. The West Derby Community Association, a registered charity, owns Grade II-listed 'Lowlands' in West Derby. This 1846 mansion underwent restoration and renovation with the help of a £1 million Heritage Lottery Fund grant. West Derby is home to a number of schools that have produced famous pupils: Other schools in
7650-608: Was included in England's squads for Euro 1996 , Euro 2000 and the 2002 FIFA World Cup . Fowler was born in Toxteth , Liverpool , and brought up in the inner city area of Liverpool. At this time he was known as Robert Ryder, his mother's surname. He lived in Toxteth at the time of the 1981 Toxteth riots , when he was six years old. As a youngster he supported Everton F.C. and regularly attended home and away games. He played regularly for schoolboy team Thorvald, and once scored 16 times in
7740-481: Was named as Liverpool's captain for the first time since his return in a League Cup tie against Reading , scoring just before half-time in a 4–3 win. On 5 December, Fowler scored his first two goals in the UEFA Champions League competition proper against Galatasaray (he had previously scored during a qualifying tie some six years prior against FC Haka ), though Liverpool lost 3–2. On 1 May 2007, he
7830-621: Was quickly a hit with Muangthong fans and the Thai public in general; he attended Thailand's World Cup Qualifier against Oman wearing the national team's shirt. He has since played a handful of scoreless games, both at the Yamaha Stadium and on the road in the AFC Cup , until the Twin Qilins were eliminated from the competition by Al-Kuwait . After the sacking of Henrique Calisto as head coach, Fowler
7920-459: Was reported that Tranmere had approached Fowler about becoming player-manager, but these reports too were dismissed. Fowler ended the season collecting a hat-trick of awards at the club's end-of-season awards night, he was awarded the club's Player of the Year, Players' Player of the Year and the Golden Boot as top goal scorer. On 15 June 2010, Fowler confirmed that he was taking legal action over
8010-400: Was the best player he has ever played alongside. Fowler and Collymore were among the most prolific goal-scoring strike partnerships in England during the 1995–96 season, with £8.4million signing Collymore replacing the veteran Ian Rush as Fowler's regular partner in attack after his arrival in June 1995. In the same season, he scored twice in a 4–3 victory over Newcastle United , a match voted
8100-470: Was then the Premier League's fastest hat-trick ever, in four minutes and 33 seconds. His record stood for twenty years until broken by Sadio Mané on 16 May 2015 for Southampton against Aston Villa , who scored three goals in two minutes and 56 seconds. He scored braces against Aston Villa, Ipswich Town , Chelsea and Norwich City in the league that season. Fowler was voted the PFA Young Player of
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