Inside Josh Fowler's rise from Beith bobbles to Dubai megabucks as he lifts lid on Motherwell and Kilmarnock snubs

The slope on Beith’s Bellsdale Park used to have the bubble on joiner Josh Fowler’s spirit level floating off the chart.

But when it comes to steep inclines, nothing can compare to the striker’s rise in football over the past two months. In the blink of an eye Fowler has gone from working as a joiner and the rough and tumble of the Ayrshire juniors, to living the Dubai dream with Gulf United in the United Arab Emirates.

The 21-year-old admits he’s still pinching himself at the astounding transformation in his life. He finished last season as a West of Scotland Premier Division champion with Beith and as the league’s top scorer with 32 goals. A month later he was packing his bags and heading to the City of Gold. He is hoping to replace former Celtic hero Gary Hooper as Gulf United’s new goal machine as they target promotion to the UAE top flight.

Former Aston Villa and Swansea defender Neil Taylor, who won 43 caps for Wales, is his manager. And although the astronomical salaries in neighbouring Saudi Arabia might still be out of reach, Fowler has big ambitions.

The striker said: “It’s a cliche but I’m living the dream. Coming from where I was, a joiner who was playing semi-pro football, people said that I would never make it to a full-time professional level.

“So I really need to pinch myself every now and then. In my back garden there’s a pool and palm trees. The sun is always shining. The food is brilliant, you can order anything you want. You look out at the street and there’s Ferraris and Lamborghinis everywhere.

“It’s a 10 out of 10 lifestyle from beach clubs to night clubs. I can’t believe this is my life now. But I’m here to become a better footballer and I’ve no doubt I will. The gaffer played for Aston Villa and