It’s nearly 50 years since Graham Fowlie emigrated with his family to Australia.
But now the Fraserburgh-born football fanatic is enjoying a remarkable run of success in helping youngsters Down Under parade their skills on the international circuit.
The man who once played for Fraserburgh Academy and Buchanhaven Hearts, prior to swapping Aberdeenshire for Adelaide in 1969, has progressed through the coaching structure in his adopted land. And, only last week, he steered his South Australia under-16s to the silver medal spot at the Pacific Games.
Mr Fowlie told the Press and Journal about his journey up the sporting ladder and harked back to his early days with Buchan Schoolboys and being assessed as a teenager by Aberdeen and Peterhead.
He said: “I started coaching at 26 after injury forced me out of the game. I enjoyed it, but everything changed in 2008 when Australia got on the FIFA map after qualifying for the 2006 World Cup.
“I could see a future in coaching and I have now advanced to a Pro licence in Australia and a UEFA ‘A’ licence in Scotland.
“It’s an exciting time to be involved, and the squad I have worked with this year has been exceptional.
“It was terrific to see them do so well at the Pacific Games: there was a good blend between the players and several of them want to go into professional football.
“Three of them have been selected for the Australian squad, and will have the opportunity to tour Japan next year for an international tournament.”
Mr Fowlie, 65, still follows the fortunes of north east teams and our picture shows him on a visit to Pittodrie.
Indeed, he hasn’t given up hope of returning home in the future to take up some sort of coaching role where he first started playing.
