I think the sticking point for Fowler was that he only got his full £5,000 if he played a whole ninety minutes. At his age, it was unlikely he was ever going to last a full game, so he was effectively on £90 per week as TT says (not that he actually needs the money of course !).
I think it is certainly worth asking him. He seemed quite pally with Les, but whether Ronnie could persuade him to turn out I am not sure.
Stranger things have happened, with Ian Wright going to Burnley a few years ago etc.