Lee Bowyer

Lee Bowyer

Playing for Birmingham City in October 2010
Personal information
Full name Lee David Bowyer[1]
Date of birth (1977-01-03) 3 January 1977
Place of birth Canning Town, London, England
Height 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)[1]
Playing position Midfielder
Youth career
– Senrab
– Charlton Athletic
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1994–1996 Charlton Athletic 46 (8)
1996–2003 Leeds United 203 (38)
2003 West Ham United 10 (0)
2003–2006 Newcastle United 79 (6)
2006–2009 West Ham United 41 (4)
2009 → Birmingham City (loan) 17 (1)
2009–2011 Birmingham City 64 (9)
2011–2012 Ipswich Town 29 (2)
Total 489 (68)
National team
1994–1995 England U18 6 (0)
1995–2000 England U21 13 (4)
2002 England 1 (0)

* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only.


Lee David Bowyer (born 3 January 1977) is an English former professional footballer born in Canning Town, London.[1] Bowyer has previously played for several English clubs including Leeds United, Charlton Athletic, West Ham United, Newcastle United, Birmingham City and Ipswich Town. Bowyer has been capped once by the England national football team.

Club career

Charlton Athletic

Bowyer played for youth team Senrab[2] before joining Charlton Athletic as a schoolboy.[3] He turned professional in April 1994.[1] He first drew attention in 1995, when he and teammate Dean Chandler failed a drugs test for cannabis use. Bowyer was dropped from the England under-18 squad and suspended for eight weeks while he took part in a rehabilitation course organised by the Football Association (the FA).[4][5] He went on to become a first-team regular, making 58 appearances for Charlton and scoring 14 goals.[6]

Leeds United

In 1996, he was signed by Leeds United manager Howard Wilkinson for £2.8 million, which was a record for a British teenager.[7] Later the same year, Bowyer was convicted of affray and fined £4,500 following an incident in a McDonald's restaurant in London in which CCTV footage showed Bowyer throwing chairs and racially abusing a staff member of Asian origin.[8][9]

Initially, Bowyer was kept out of the Leeds first team by Alf-Inge Håland and David Hopkin; he eventually replaced Hopkin in the 1998–99 season, and from then on was a first-team regular. He was a key player in David O'Leary's Leeds side that qualified for the Champions League in 1999–2000, and which reached the semi finals of the UEFA Cup in 2000 and the Champions League in 2001. In the Champions League run he scored crucial goals against A.C. Milan, Barcelona and Anderlecht. He was voted the Leeds player of the year by supporters in both 1998–99[7] and 2000–01.[10]

Following an incident near a Leeds nightclub in January 2000, in which an Asian student suffered severe injuries, Bowyer and teammate Jonathan Woodgate were charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent and affray.[11] An initial trial collapsed in April 2001 after an article in a Sunday newspaper,[12] and following a second trial, which ended in December 2001, Bowyer was cleared of both charges while Woodgate was convicted of affray and sentenced to community service.[13] Bowyer was generally recognised as playing some of the finest football of his career during this period[14][15][16][17] and would often go straight from court to play for Leeds.[18] In 2005, the player agreed a £170,000 out-of-court settlement of a civil action for damages brought by the victim and his brother, who had been less seriously hurt in the assault.[19]

After Bowyer's acquittal, Leeds fined him four weeks' wages for a breach of the club's code of conduct. Despite having had the backing of the club during the trial and the club paying his extensive legal fees, Bowyer took exception to the fine and was placed on the transfer list.[20] The dispute was later settled and Bowyer removed from the transfer list,[21] though he returned to it at the end of the season after turning down a new five-year contract. A £9 million fee was agreed for a move to Liverpool, which fell through with manager Gérard Houllier not convinced the player had the "hunger or desire" to play for the club.[22] In January 2003, Bowyer signed for West Ham United.[23] He had made 265 appearances for Leeds in all competitions, scoring 55 goals.[6]

West Ham United

Bowyer playing for West Ham in 2006

Bowyer signed for West Ham United on an initial six-month contract for a nominal transfer fee, which meant that should West Ham be relegated at the end of the 2002–03 season, the club would not be burdened with a large Premiership salary.[24] The transfer was not popular with a section of West Ham supporters who questioned Bowyer's attitude towards racism. A protest against his signing was held outside Upton Park before Bowyer's introduction to the crowd.[25] Claims that Bowyer would have received a £1 million bonus had West Ham stayed up were denied by the club's then manager Glenn Roeder.[26] In the event, Bowyer was hampered by ankle injuries and made only eleven appearances for West Ham.[27] West Ham were relegated and Bowyer was not offered another contract.[27]

Newcastle United

After West Ham were relegated at the end of the 2002–03 season, Bowyer joined Newcastle United on a free transfer in July 2003.[28]

In April 2005, Bowyer was in the media spotlight again after an on-pitch brawl with teammate Kieron Dyer in Newcastle United's Premiership match with Aston Villa. This resulted in a red card, plus an automatic three-game ban, for each player. The Football Association fined Bowyer £30,000 and imposed an additional three-game ban, and the club fined him six weeks' wages; Dyer was not fined as Bowyer was perceived to have thrown the first punch. In addition, Bowyer was charged by Northumbria Police in connection with the brawl with offences under section four of the Public Order Act. He pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of using threatening behaviour and was fined £600 and ordered to pay £1000 costs.[29][30]

Bowyer made 98 appearances for Newcastle in all competitions and scored 11 goals.[6]

West Ham United

Bowyer rejoined West Ham United, the club he supported as a boy, in June 2006 for an undisclosed fee, declaring that he had "unfinished business" with the club.[31] He made 22 appearances in the 2006–07 season,[32] which was disrupted by a dislocated shoulder suffered in West Ham United's 6–0 loss to Reading in January 2007.[33] However, Bowyer made a quick and sooner-than-expected recovery and played in five of West Ham's crucial games towards the end of the season.[32]

He regained a regular place in the Hammers first team at the beginning of the 2007–08 season, scoring his first goals for West Ham against Wigan Athletic and Middlesbrough, and then two more in the 5–0 victory over Derby County.[34]

Birmingham City

Bowyer in February 2010

In January 2009, Bowyer signed for Birmingham City on loan until the end of the 2008–09 season.[35] He made his debut on 17 January at home to Cardiff City in the Championship, scoring an equalising goal in the fourth minute of stoppage time to make the score 1–1.[36] Following the expiry of his contract with West Ham United, Bowyer signed a two-year contract with Birmingham in July 2009.[37] He scored winning goals in consecutive Premier League matches, against Fulham and Wolverhampton Wanderers, to take Birmingham into a mid-table position at the end of November,[38][39] and was part of the team that went on a run of 15 games unbeaten in all competitions, including a club record 12 unbeaten in the top flight,[40][41] as they finished in ninth place, the club's best for more than 50 years.[42]

In September 2010 Bowyer was forced to apologise for verbally abusing a West Bromwich Albion supporter. The incident occurred following Bowyer's substitution after he had committed a rash challenge on Gabriel Tamaș.[4] In the absence through injury of Craig Gardner, Bowyer returned to the starting eleven for the match against champions Chelsea in November 2010 and scored the only goal of the game to give his club a surprise victory,[43] following this with a late equaliser against Manchester United.[44] In January 2011, television replays highlighted incidents,[45] unnoticed by the match referee, in which Bowyer stamped on Arsenal defender Bacary Sagna and appeared to rake his studs down the same player's Achilles. Suggestions in the media that Bowyer could receive a six-match ban[46][47] prompted Birmingham manager Alex McLeish to argue that the football authorities were not treating all clubs equally when using television evidence.[45][48] Bowyer received the standard three-match ban for violent conduct.[49]

From 2010, Bowyer held the record for most yellow cards received in the Premier League;[2] by the end of that year, he had 98 yellow cards in the competition as well as five red.[4][50][upper-alpha 1]

He made his first appearance in a major final in February 2011, in the starting eleven as Birmingham defeated favourites Arsenal 2–1 in the League Cup Final at Wembley Stadium.[54] At that time, it was reported that he was not to be offered a contract extension,[54] in May, McLeish indicated an offer would be made,[55] but after Birmingham's relegation to the Championship, Bowyer left the club when his contract expired at the end of the 2010–11 season.[56]

Ipswich Town

On 10 July 2011, Ipswich Town signed Bowyer as a free agent.[57] He scored his first goal for Ipswich with a late winner against former club West Ham United on 27 September.[58] He was released by Ipswich at the end of the 2011–12 season, having scored two goals in 29 appearances.[59]

Watford

On 13 October 2015, Bowyer joined Watford to coach their Under 21 side. [60] On 10 November 2015, Bowyer left his position as a coach for Watford's Under 21 side after a 2-0 loss to Charlton in the Premier League Cup.

International career

During his early career at Leeds, Bowyer was a regular in the England under-21 team, making 13 appearances for the national side.[61]

Bowyer's form during the 2000–01 season led to calls for inclusion in the England squad; however, the Football Association ruled that he could not be selected until the court case in relation to an assault on an Asian student was completed.[62] The FA eventually cleared Bowyer for selection following the conclusion of the court case and England manager Sven-Göran Eriksson called him into the squad for an international friendly against Portugal in September 2002.[63] Bowyer made his England debut in the game, setting up a goal for Leeds team-mate Alan Smith.[64] It was his only appearance for England.[61]

Post-playing career

Having fished all of his adult life, Bowyer had taken a week summer-break every June with friends at a Carp fishing lake in the village of Orconte, France. After being released by Ipswich, he rang the owner, and bought the 12 acres (4.9 ha) property. Renamed Etang de Bows (English: Bows’ Lake), he spends his time between there and his family home in Essex, with his wife and two children.[65] In autumn 2015 he started to work as a guest coach of Watford's under-21 side, under former Leeds teammate Harry Kewell.[66]

Career statistics

Club

Club statistics
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
Division AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Charlton Athletic 1993–94[67] Division One 00 –
1994–95[67] Division One 50 –
1995–96[67] Division One 418 2[lower-alpha 1]0
Charlton Athletic total[6] 4683175205814
Leeds United 1996–97[68] Premier League 324420000366
1997–98[69] Premier League 253303100314
1998–99[70] Premier League 35940204[lower-alpha 2]0459
1999–2000[71] Premier League 335311011[lower-alpha 2]54811
2000–01[72] Premier League 389100015[lower-alpha 3]65415
2001–02[73] Premier League 25510103[lower-alpha 2]2307
2002–03[6] Premier League 15300105[lower-alpha 2]0213
Leeds United total 2033816381381326555
West Ham United 2002–03[6] Premier League 10010––110
Newcastle United 2003–04[74] Premier League 24200001[lower-alpha 2]0252
2004–05[75] Premier League 27321109[lower-alpha 2]3397
2005–06[76] Premier League 28120103[lower-alpha 4]1342
Newcastle United total 79641201349811
West Ham United 2006–07[32] Premier League 20000002[lower-alpha 2]0220
2007–08[34] Premier League 154203000204
2008–09[77] Premier League 600011–71
West Ham United total 514304120605
Birmingham City (loan) 2008–09[77] Championship 171–––171
Birmingham City 2009–10[78] Premier League 3555021–426
2010–11[79] Premier League 2941051–355
Birmingham City total 81106072–9412
Ipswich Town 2011–12[80] Championship 2920000–292
Career total 48968325289551760499
  1. ↑ Appearances in Football League First Division play-offs
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Appearances in UEFA Cup
  3. ↑ Appearances in Champions League
  4. ↑ Appearances in Intertoto Cup

Honours

Birmingham City

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Some media sources reported that the booking received on 5 March 2011 made him the first player to reach 100 yellow cards in the Premier League, although the Premier League recorded it as his 99th.[50][51][52] As clarified by ESPNsoccernet statistician Norman Hubbard, although Bowyer had been shown 100 yellow cards, official statistics "do not count games in which two bookings led to a sending-off", so by standard definitions, he had only 99 that counted as yellow cards.[53] As of August 2014, no player has reached 100 Premier League yellow cards.[50]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Hugman, Barry J, ed. (2005). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2005/2006. Queen Anne Press. p. 53. ISBN 978-1-85291-662-6.
  2. 1 2 Viner, Brian (26 February 2010). "Lee Bowyer: 'There were times when I overstepped the mark'". The Independent. London. Retrieved 1 January 2011.
  3. ↑ "Player profiles Lee Bowyer". West Ham United F.C. Retrieved 7 July 2009.
  4. 1 2 3 Pearce, Nick (2 January 2011). "Lee Bowyer 'stamp' incident latest in long line of misdemeanours for Birmingham City midfielder". The Telegraph. London. Retrieved 11 January 2011.
  5. ↑ Dorward, Philip (20 January 2008). "I want people to give me a chance". The Observer. London. Retrieved 31 January 2010.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Games played by Lee Bowyer in 2002/2003". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 21 December 2012.
  7. 1 2 Mynott, Adam (18 December 2001). "Profile: Lee Bowyer". BBC Sport. Retrieved 7 July 2009.
  8. ↑ Hayward, Paul (6 September 2002). "Bowyer's recall raises serious questions". The Daily Telegraph. London. Retrieved 30 November 2009.
  9. ↑ Jones, David (12 January 2003). "Give a dog a bad name...". Observer Sport Monthly. London. Retrieved 8 July 2009.
  10. ↑ Lumley, Tom (25 August 2002). "Lee Bowyer's highs and lows". The Observer. London. Retrieved 8 July 2009.
  11. ↑ Herbert, Ian (13 February 2001). "Footballers 'left victim with heel imprint on face'". The Independent. London. Archived from the original on 6 January 2011. Retrieved 7 January 2009.
  12. ↑ "Footballers face retrial". BBC News. 10 April 2001. Retrieved 29 December 2006.
  13. ↑ "Leeds footballer walks free". BBC News. 14 December 2001. Retrieved 19 December 2006.
  14. ↑ Dickinson, Matt (23 November 2002). "The trials and tribulations of Lee Bowyer". The Times. London. Retrieved 8 July 2009 – via NewsBank. The Leeds player must have a hide as thick as a hound's to have produced the best football of his career in between visits to Hull Crown Court
  15. ↑ McNally, Brian (1 June 2003). "Football: Signing Lee's my biggest gamble ever Says Freddy Shepherd". Sunday Mirror – via NewsBank. The lad was under intense pressure, but he never allowed it to affect his football. In fact, he played some of the best football of his career when the heat was really on.
  16. ↑ Spellman, Damian (29 December 2005). "Bowyer launches red card appeal". The Independent. London. Retrieved 8 July 2009. Bowyer's time on Tyneside has rarely seen him reach the heights he attained during the peak of his spell at his previous club, Leeds, where he helped David O'Leary's side reach the semi-finals of the Champions' League with the best football of his career despite his well-documented off-the-field troubles.
  17. ↑ Butler, Jeremy (13 October 2006). "Bellamy set to play on during assault trial". ESPN. Reuters. Retrieved 8 July 2009. In 2000/2001, when at Leeds United, Bowyer produced some of the best football of his career while on trial during an assault case and won the club's player of the year award.
  18. ↑ Curry, Steve (10 April 2001). "Football: Leeds players face retrial on October 8th". Daily Mail. London. Retrieved 8 July 2009.
  19. ↑ Waugh, Rob (30 November 2005). "Bowyer to pay attack brothers". Yorkshire Post. Retrieved 30 November 2009.
  20. ↑ "Leeds put Bowyer on transfer list". BBC Sport. 18 December 2001. Retrieved 19 June 2007.
  21. ↑ "Bowyer and Woodgate back for Leeds". BBC Sport. 21 December 2001. Retrieved 23 June 2007.
  22. ↑ "Bowyer move collapses". BBC Sport. 21 July 2002. Retrieved 7 July 2009.
  23. ↑ "Bowyer signs for Hammers". BBC Sport. 11 February 2003. Retrieved 19 January 2007.
  24. ↑ Roach, Stuart (7 January 2003). "Bowyer transfer-listed". BBC Sport. Retrieved 23 January 2007.
  25. ↑ Brodkin, Jon (11 January 2003). "Fans unite to protest against new recruit and racism". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 14 March 2011.
  26. ↑ "Roeder denies Bowyer bonus". BBC Sport. 10 January 2003. Retrieved 23 June 2007.
  27. 1 2 "Hammers release Bowyer". BBC Sport. 16 May 2003. Retrieved 23 June 2007.
  28. ↑ "Bowyer makes Magpies move". BBC Sport. 1 July 2003. Retrieved 19 June 2007.
  29. ↑ Moore, Glenn (9 June 2005). "FA dismay as police take Bowyer to court over brawl". The Independent. London. Retrieved 5 September 2014.
  30. ↑ Tynan, Gordon (6 July 2006). "Court fines Bowyer £600 for Dyer brawl". The Independent. London. Retrieved 30 November 2009.
  31. ↑ "West Ham sign midfielder Bowyer". BBC Sport. 18 June 2006. Retrieved 19 June 2007.
  32. 1 2 3 "Games played by Lee Bowyer in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 21 December 2012.
  33. ↑ "Bowyer injury blow for West Ham". BBC Sport. 2 January 2006. Retrieved 1 July 2007.
  34. 1 2 "Games played by Lee Bowyer in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 21 December 2012.
  35. ↑ "Birmingham snap up Bowyer on loan". BBC Sport. 9 January 2009. Retrieved 9 January 2009.
  36. ↑ "Birmingham 1–1 Cardiff". BBC Sport. 17 January 2009. Retrieved 17 January 2009.
  37. ↑ "Birmingham seal deal for Bowyer". BBC Sport. 8 July 2009. Retrieved 8 July 2009.
  38. ↑ Sheringham, Sam (21 November 2009). "Birmingham 1–0 Fulham". BBC Sport. Retrieved 30 November 2009.
  39. ↑ Lyon, Sam (29 November 2009). "Wolverhampton 0–1 Birmingham". BBC Sport. Retrieved 30 November 2009.
  40. ↑ "Fresh fortunes at St Andrew's". FIFA. 15 January 2010. Retrieved 8 September 2010.
  41. ↑ Tattum, Colin (16 May 2010). "Colin Tattum analyses the way ahead for Birmingham City". Sunday Mercury. Birmingham. Retrieved 8 September 2010.
  42. ↑ Roopanarine, Les (9 May 2010). "Bolton 2–1 Birmingham". BBC Sport. Retrieved 8 September 2010.
  43. ↑ Phillips, Owen (20 November 2010). "Birmingham 1–0 Chelsea". BBC Sport. Retrieved 21 November 2010.
  44. ↑ Sanghera, Mandeep (28 December 2010). "Birmingham 1–1 Man Utd". BBC Sport. Retrieved 1 January 2011.
  45. 1 2 "Birmingham manager Alex McLeish accuses FA of picking on smaller club". The Daily Telegraph. London. 4 January 2011. Retrieved 10 January 2010.
  46. ↑ Burt, Jason (3 January 2011). "Birmingham City midfielder Lee Bowyer faces possible six-match ban following stamp on Arsenal's Bacary Sagna". The Daily Telegraph. London. Retrieved 10 January 2010.
  47. ↑ Scoggins, Dean (3 January 2011). "Bowyer could be hit for six". The Sun. London. Retrieved 10 January 2010.
  48. ↑ James, Stuart (3 January 2011). "Alex McLeish blasts FA as Lee Bowyer faces violent conduct charge". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 10 January 2010.
  49. ↑ "Birmingham's Lee Bowyer receives three-match ban". BBC Sport. 4 January 2011. Retrieved 10 January 2010.
  50. 1 2 3 "Players index: By statistic". Premier League. Retrieved 5 September 2014. Select season and statistic required via dropdown menus.
  51. ↑ "Stats: Bowyer's 100th booking". Eurosport. 7 March 2011. Retrieved 17 April 2011.
  52. ↑ Berlin, Peter (5 March 2011). "Arsenal rues dubious calls against Sunderland; City show tired legs". SI.com: Inside Soccer. Time, Inc. Retrieved 17 April 2011.
  53. ↑ Hubbard, Norman (29 March 2011). "Roy's record and getting shirty". News and Features: Ask Norman. ESPNsoccernet. Retrieved 17 April 2011.
  54. 1 2 Curtis, John (2 March 2011). "Bowyer wins a cup medal but no new contract with Birmingham". The Independent. London. Press Association. Retrieved 4 March 2011.
  55. ↑ "Lee Bowyer to be offered new Birmingham contract". BBC Sport. 13 May 2011. Retrieved 27 May 2010.
  56. ↑ "Carr gears up". Birmingham City F.C. 27 May 2011. Archived from the original on 10 August 2011. Retrieved 27 May 2011.
  57. ↑ "Midfielder Lee Bowyer joins Ipswich Town". BBC Sport. 10 July 2011. Retrieved 1 October 2011.
  58. ↑ "West Ham 0–1 Ipswich". BBC Sport. 27 September 2011. Retrieved 28 September 2011.
  59. ↑ Gooderham, Dave (25 June 2012). "Ex-Ipswich Town midfielder Lee Bowyer shoots 79 in bid to qualify for Open golf championship". East Anglian Daily Times. Archant. Retrieved 25 June 2012.
  60. ↑ http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3271055/Lee-Bowyer-joins-old-Leeds-team-mate-Harry-Kewell-coach-Watford-21s.html
  61. 1 2 "Lee Bowyer". The Football Association. Retrieved 13 May 2011.
  62. ↑ "Leeds pair in England wilderness". BBC Sport. 2 November 2000. Retrieved 19 June 2007.
  63. ↑ "Leeds duo in England squad". BBC Sport. 2 September 2002. Retrieved 19 June 2007.
  64. ↑ "Portugal hold England". BBC Sport. 7 September 2002. Retrieved 19 June 2007.
  65. ↑ "Lee Bowyer left football behind to run a carp fishing lake in France". Daily Mail. Retrieved 13 October 2015.
  66. ↑ "Former Leeds star Lee Bowyer has linked up with Harry Kewell at Watford and is working with the Hornets' Under-21 squad". Watford Observer. 12 October 2015. Retrieved 13 October 2015.
  67. 1 2 3 Rollin, Glenda & Rollin, Jack, eds. (2010). Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2010–2011. Headline. p. 426. ISBN 978-0-7553-6107-6.
  68. ↑ "Games played by Lee Bowyer in 1996/1997". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 21 December 2012.
  69. ↑ "Games played by Lee Bowyer in 1997/1998". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 21 December 2012.
  70. ↑ "Games played by Lee Bowyer in 1998/1999". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 21 December 2012.
  71. ↑ "Games played by Lee Bowyer in 1999/2000". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 21 December 2012.
  72. ↑ "Games played by Lee Bowyer in 2000/2001". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 21 December 2012.
  73. ↑ "Games played by Lee Bowyer in 2001/2002". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 21 December 2012.
  74. ↑ "Games played by Lee Bowyer in 2003/2004". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 21 December 2012.
  75. ↑ "Games played by Lee Bowyer in 2004/2005". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 21 December 2012.
  76. ↑ "Games played by Lee Bowyer in 2005/2006". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 21 December 2012.
  77. 1 2 "Games played by Lee Bowyer in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 21 December 2012.
  78. ↑ "Games played by Lee Bowyer in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 21 December 2012.
  79. ↑ "Games played by Lee Bowyer in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 21 December 2012.
  80. ↑ "Games played by Lee Bowyer in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 21 December 2012.
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