The Big Interview: Mary Fowler

The young Australian's journey to the top has been different to most. She talks about settling in Manchester, Dutch influences, nature and the summer's World Cup.

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Fowler made her international debut at just 15 and signed a long-term contract with Manchester City last summer. Image: Manchester City

“It’s actually snowing, it’s nice…” smiles Mary Fowler, looking out of the window at the City Football Academy.

Not what the young girl who grew up on the tropical coastline of Queensland, with just mere miles of water between her and the Great Barrier Reef, or the young woman who made a first professional move overseas to the shores of the Mediterranean is used to, but Fowler is a big fan of nature, and seems content in her new surroundings, even if it’s a bit chillier than she’s used to.

“Not just that!” she laughs. “I really like being in nature. I was in the south of France, I could just go to the beach, go for a hike. It’s not as accessible here to do those things and obviously weather was a big part of that!”

A keen hiker, she says she hasn’t had chance to explore much outside the city, but has grown to appreciate the small parts of nature within the city confides, picking out the Mancunian canals and parks where she goes for “peacefulness” away from football.

It is hard to believe just last month Fowler left behind her teenage years and celebrated her 20^th birthday, such was the speed she broke onto the scene back home in Australia.

The versatile and tricky forward made her senior Matildas debut at 15 and represented her country a year later, still just 16, so it feels like she’s been around a lot longer.

When Manchester City beat off several Women’s Super League rivals for the signature of the in-demand then teenager last summer on a lengthy four-year contract, it was seen as quite a coup for Gareth Taylor and his side, and Fowler has enjoyed the settling in process.

“I really like it. I think it’s so much easier for me being at a club where the people are just really nice, that’s really been the highlight of my experience. Being able to come into the club every day, seeing my teammates, having good training sessions.

“Just in general, everyone at the club has been super lovely and it’s helped me a lot to settle in and feel comfortable. Obviously, lifestyle-wise it’s very different to where I was, because I was living in Montpellier, but it’s been quite nice because I’m here every day and that’s taken my focus and because it’s something I enjoy so much, the other lifestyle differences I miss balances out in the end.”

“Speaking to the other girls in the team, my story is very different to theirs…”

A lot of expectation was put on Fowler’s shoulders given how young she became a regular starter for her country before earning a first move abroad at just 17 when she joined French side Montpellier in 2020.

Fowler though is yet to start a single league match for her new club so far this season and has only featured in seven altogether, but has been in good form in the domestic cups, scoring four goals in six appearances.

With Khadija Shaw in front of her and currently the most in-form striker in the league, Fowler is accepting of the fact she has to be patient and points to the fact she signed a long-term contract as part of her wider plan to develop as a player in Manchester.