Former Leeds United striker Robbie Fowler stuck in the UK as Brisbane Roar boss reflects on 60-hour trip home

FORMER Leeds United striker Robbie Fowler says he is stuck in the UK away from the Brisbane Roar team he manages after a 60-hour journey back home amidst the global fight against coronavirus.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Fowler became manager of A-League side Brisbane back in April 2019 but the former Liverpool, Leeds and Manchester City star had to hastily fly back to the UK as the COVID-19 pandemic hit hard back in the Spring.

The A-League season was suspended at the end of March and Fowler has revealed how he had to fly home via Los Angeles with no other flights available as part of a 60-hour round trip back home.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Three months later, the A-League announced on Tuesday that their season is set to resume on July 16 but as things stand, Brisbane Roar will be without their manager.

STUCK: Former Leeds United striker and now Brisbane Roar boss Robbie Fowler, pictured watching on during the clash against Newcastle Jets at Cbus Super Stadium on March 20. Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images.STUCK: Former Leeds United striker and now Brisbane Roar boss Robbie Fowler, pictured watching on during the clash against Newcastle Jets at Cbus Super Stadium on March 20. Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images.
STUCK: Former Leeds United striker and now Brisbane Roar boss Robbie Fowler, pictured watching on during the clash against Newcastle Jets at Cbus Super Stadium on March 20. Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images.

"I am just waiting for some info back off my club," said Fowler, speaking on Soccer AM.

"I am essentially still stood down, the players are back in training but I am still stood down.

"I've put some info to the club to get me over and at the minute it looks like they are not going to get me a flight so it looks like it might really be up to me to try and make that move.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"Everyone is just going with this virus and clubs not just in Australia but all over the world have been hard done by.

"Obviously with me being a foreigner as such, it just seems I am not a priority if that makes sense.

"Everyone had been stood down from the start of the virus and in the last few days all the players have been stood back up so that means they can potentially go back and train.

"But with me being the manager stuck in the UK I am still stood down so it's a little bit of a nightmare but we'll have to wait and see how this one turns out."

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Reflecting on the circumstances around flying back home, Fowler said: "It was getting bad but not as bad as the UK.

"My family were in the UK and I was listening to them and getting all the inside info but it was tough.

"I was over there, I was actually living with my assistant and as soon as I got wind of what was happening we just needed to get a flight home.

"The league got cancelled to a certain date and I just knew I needed to get back and I struggled to get a flight.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"I managed to get home which was a horrendous trip home, waiting around in airports and travelling the length of the world.

"I actually came home a totally different way via LA.

"All the Asian airports were closed so it took me just over 60 hours to get home from Australia. It was a horrendous three days travelling."

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. These are challenging times but the team at the Yorkshire Evening Post need your support more than ever in the weeks ahead.

While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you. In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you - wherever possible and providing it is safe for you to do so - to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Inevitably falling advertising revenues will start to have an impact on local newspapers and the way we continue to work during this period of uncertainty.

So the support of our readers has never been more important as we try to make sure that we keep you connected with the city you live in during this time.

But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. We need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

Our team of trusted reporters are working incredibly hard behind the scenes - from kitchen tables and spare bedrooms - to look at how we can do this and your continued support to the YEP will help to protect its viability in the days and weeks ahead.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

For more details on our subscription offers please visit www.localsubsplus.co.uk/YEP, email [email protected] or call us on 0330 4033004

Thank you

Laura Collins

Editor

READ MORE: https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/opinion/were-therewithyou-now-your-yep-needs-your-support-too-laura-collins-yep-editor-2521777

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.