Robbie Fowler - Leeds United fans memories of a goal-poacher

When Robbie Fowler was unveiled the message was made clear; Leeds United can win the Premier League.

"One thing I shall predict is that I can win the league here at Elland Road this season," he told the club's official website. "Liverpool had a great year last season and are still well placed. But, at Leeds, there is a great team and we feel we can go all the way."

They didn't but Fowler did go on to showcase his predatory instinct scoring 12 goals in 22 starts as the Whites finished the campaign in fifth place, a postion good enough to secure UEFA Cup qualification for the following season, but was not enough to take them back into the diamond-encrusted Champions League.

Those dozen goals included a classy Boxing Day hat-trick at Bolton that would briefly reignite Leeds’ title charge, as well as an exquisite lob against West Ham United at Elland Road on New Year's Day.

Returning from a 2002 World Cup in which he made his final England appearance, Fowler sustained a hip injury in pre-season and was forced onto the sidelines until Christmas.

He returned to find that many of his team-mates had been sold off as the club’s financial meltdown escalated before eventually moving on to Manchester City.

Fowler's stats for speak for themselves at Leeds United - 15 goals from 31 appearances in total, a strike ratio of just less than a goal every two games. And the Whites also never lost a game in which he scored.

Your YEP has asked he Elland Road faithful to share memories of a number 27, who in another time, in other circumstances, could have arguably been one of the Leeds United greats.

Responses included:

Mark Shipley - "Very clever and great instinctive finisher. Probably past his prime but still a goal machine. Scored every other game. Can't ask more than that."

Josh Kaye - "I was at Bolton when he scored a hat-trick and missed a penalty I think. His goals to games record for us was very good."

Danny McKenzie - "Thought he was class, just came at the wrong time when things started to go downhill."

Matthew Lettin - "His sublime lob against West Ham at home."

Matthew Leadbeater - "The lob he scored against David James I think. Best finisher in the Premier League for me."

James Sweeney - "The nightmare that ensued after his arrival makes people forget how good he was in that first half season. He was hugely impressive in a number of games that season and worked his way into 2002 World Cup squad. The Bolton hat-trick and the West Ham chip are two highlights."

Andrew Smith - "Same old Fowler, can't stop scoring."

Ian Taylor - "The chip over David James against West Ham on New Year’s Day. Brilliant skill during the coldest game I’ve ever been to."

David Dalton - "Fowler wasn't past it nor was he a bad signing. He got a bad injury on international duty just before the World Cup."

Parma (@parmadiggyd) - "Never forget that exquisite lob over David James."

Derrick Gray (@derrickg745) - "Robbie Fowler played for Leeds, but he was never really a Leeds player. He earned his wages and was brilliant and entertaining, but like a stick of Blackpool rock, pink on the outside but Blackpool through the middle, Robbie in Leeds shirt but Liverpool through the middle."

Martin Chuzzle Richardson - "His hat-trick against Bolton."

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Laura Collins