Coast football mourns former Burleigh Bombers president Paul Fowles

Tributes from across the Gold Coast football community rang out for a man who touched the lives of thousands of players across decades at Burleigh, including eight years as club president.

Gold Coast Suns coach Guy McKenna and Paul Fowles with a replica of the coin that he will be tossing at the first Gold Coast Suns game this Saturday in Brisbane.

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The Burleigh Bombers Football Club have announced the sudden death of the club’s greatest ever member, former club president Paul ‘Fowlesy’ Fowles.

Tributes from across the Gold Coast football community rang out for a man who touched the lives of thousands of players across decades of involvement at Burleigh, including eight years as president from 2005 to 2013.

The club shared a statement on Facebook on Saturday morning.

“It is with a very heavy heart we inform you of the sudden death of our Greatest Burleigh Bomber,” it read.

MARCH 07, 2005: New president of the Burleigh Bombers Paul Fowles. PicSarah/Marshall - sport australian rules aussie afl

“We will never meet a more generous, caring and considerate man who has touched and impacted so many lives through AFL, business and general community.

“What the Fowles family means to the Burleigh Bombers could never be adequately described.

“Our love and thoughts are with Mel, Bryce and Brendan at this incredibly difficult time, as well as Paul’s Allied family and everyone who has been impacted by this incredible man.”

Fowles selflessness with his time was a common theme among the tributes shared, with many expressing their gratitude for his friendship during hard times.

Gold Coast Suns coach Guy McKenna and Paul Fowles with a replica of the coin that he will be tossing at the first Gold Coast Suns game this Saturday in Brisbane.

Fowles was an instrumental part in helping the Bombers secure a share of $630,000 in federal grant funding in 2011, while his longstanding friendship with AFL great Kevin Sheedy even led the former Bombers coach to pick up a whiteboard at Bill Godfrey Oval for a match in 2017.

His reputation in Gold Coast football was so great he was invited by the Suns to perform the coin toss at the club’s first AFL fixture against Carlton in 2011.

 When former Essendon midfielder Andrew Lovett was searching for an opportunity after being cleared of serious criminal charges it was Fowles’ support that led him to the Gold Coast in 2014 and the chance to reinvent himself as a junior development officer with AFL Queensland.

Broadbeach Cats senior coach Craig O’Brien said his death was a huge loss to the Queensland football community.

“The amount of generosity cannot be described for what Fowlesy has done for all clubs especially on the Gold Coast,” he said.

“Personally loved having a chat to him in general along with my old man Ronny.“He has touched so many people and will be missed.”