by NICK WEBSTER, Fox Soccer Channel

Updated: December 17, 2001, 3:24 PM EST

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Just two weeks after his sensational $15 million move from Anfield to Elland Road, Robbie 'Foul-up' Fowler has been living up to his name in spectacular and scandalous fashion. To be fair to the kid, in Leeds he does have plenty of company.

Let's first get one thing straight. 'Foul-up' is top quality where it matters most -- on the field. Those 171 goals attest to that. It's off the park that our little 'Scally' goes more than a little haywire.

His latest indiscretion is just another classic and damning indictment on the attitude of English players in the game. Once again, the "booze and boys" culture has created the sort of headlines that spawn a million jokes down at the local. Laddism is back with a vengeance.

Reports coming out of Elland Road say that Boss, David O'Leary, had warned all the Leeds players about drinking too much and getting involved in any unsavory incidents at the annual Xmas party. I can't believe that he even allowed the party to go ahead, given recent history when Leeds, players, booze and nights out on the town combine. O'Leary must be nipping at the Bushmills on the QT, because if he didn't see this coming, I'm a Dutchman's uncle.

According to my source (David O'Leary's paper boy, he's cheap to bribe) the Toxteth Terror, as Fowler is known, and the rest of his new Leeds pals showed up at Rio Ferdinand's bar dressed as soldiers wearing camouflage paint on their faces and carrying toy guns (that's good taste in the current climate!). No official tab was kept on the amount of lash consumed but let me say Foul-up's appetite for goals seems to pale in comparison to his thirst for wetting his whistle.

Leaving the bar at midnight, he and a mate got into a cab, where, according to Leeds officials, he fell asleep in the back seat. (Fell asleep? More like passed out ... Pull the other leg, how stupid do we look?) Anyone who has been to a Christmas party in England will tell you; it's a monster piss-up.

Now this is where it gets all cloak and daggery.

The cab pulled up to a garage where a press photographer happened to be hanging out. (What a coincidence!) Before you can say "another vodka & red bull please," he's started snapping away at the comatose Robbie in the back seat.

Foul-up's mate, not wanting his hero to be caught in an embarrassing light, then leaps out of the cab. Slaps the camera to the ground, and before you know it they're both under arrest in the local nick. Thankfully, West Yorkshire police decided not to press charges against the two lads, but news of the collar somehow was leaked to the press just in time for the morning newspapers.

Club officials are convinced that Robbie was framed (To be honest, Leeds as a club seem to bury their collective heads in the sand anytime something goes wrong.), but to me that's not the point. Maybe Gerard Houllier was on to something when he shipped Robbie out. The original Spice Boy seems to find aggro wherever he goes, and if you listen to what he says, it's never his fault.

In his brilliant career he's been suspended by the FA for snorting a touchline (against Everton after being taunted as a 'smack head'), showing off his bottom to Graeme Le Saux (against Chelsea), beaten up in night clubs, - the list is endless. I'm not going to preach whether he's right or wrong, but I've spoken to a lot of people about this, and we're all pissed off with him because...

Deep down if you're a fan of the game, you've always wanted to be a player. We've all fantasized about being the dashing young striker, smashing home an injury-time winner to complete our hat-tricks, then wheeling off to celebrate before 20,000 down at the Kop end. Who wouldn't want that, and our Robbie has it in spades, yet he continues to sabotage his career.

What a waste of talent. I'm sure Svennie has taken note.

This is my plea to you Robbie -- Stay off the booze, keep out of the sordid headlines, and concentrate on your football. Don't end up like Jonathan Woodgate -- a criminal with a record . (And to think Lee Bowyer got off 'scot free'. He must have had Johnnie Cochran representing him. Hey if the boot doesn't fit you must acquit, right?)

You're only 26, you've got a good three to four more seasons in you. I believe you could become the best striker in England, if not the world, with just a little dedication.

Until then, get the beers in.