Lee Fowler: ‘I’m going to take my chance with both hands’

He proved the doubters wrong by coming off the bench and scoring a spectacular winner.

Fowler, 31, said: “It was important I made a good start as there had been a bit of a hoo-ha if I was good enough to play in League One.

“I am good enough for this level, I’ve proved it today.

“If you look at my career I’ve gone from the Premier League down to the Championship, down to the Conference and back up to League One. It’s a been a rollercoaster career but it’s my own fault.

“Dean Saunders tells me I’m one of the best players he’s worked with and I hope to reward him. I had good times in the Premiership at Coventry as a kid. But I had too much, too young and it went to my head.

“There are certain points in my career when I have regretted a lot of things. My ability has never been questioned. Dean gets me working well and focussed so it is a good blend.

“I’m my own biggest downfall. It wasn’t an attitude problem I had but sometimes I wasn’t fully committed I would be chasing money so I could do other things which is well documented. I went into the Sporting Chance Clinic at 27.

“Now I have a young family I am working hard for with a daughter Sophia (aged two). She keeps me occupied and out of trouble. I wish I had them earlier!

“Ofcourse this is my last chance to do something in the League. My ability has helped me get away with it in the lower levels.

“I have a chance to show what I can do in the League and I am very lucky to have the chance so I am going to take it with both hands.

“I still have the power in my legs, I still have the vision and the weight will come off now I’m training full-time.

“I am only paying my expenses and a basic wage as well plus they are paying for my hotel. I am earning less than at Nuneaton.”