OK, I know I've said this a few times before but it's time for me to take a break from blogging about Fulham. I've not really had the time to do this blog justice and I need to focus on some other stuff for a while. It might be back at some point in the future but only if I think it can add something worthwhile to the mass of Fulham related discussion that exists elsewhere.
In the mean time I recommend you point your browser at some of these fine Fulham sites.
Craven Cottage Newsround - A great Fulham blog that covers all aspects of the club (though taking a well earned break right now).
HammyEnd.com - The place to look for daily updates of all the Fulham news and some well thought out articles as well.
Friends of Fulham - My current favourite message board (though you can never completely ignore TiFF)
Or any of the sites linked from my sidebar (the place you'll also find Gordon Mills' excellent nostalgia series)
I'll still be writing my Top 5 blog (though maybe not quite so frequently), I've got some big decisions to make on the work front and a big list of jobs to do at home. If all that goes well, I may even get around to learning how to play the guitar properly!
Long term readers will be familiar with my optimism chart. This is my attempt to sum up the season with a graphical view of how optimistic I felt (the blue line) as the season progressed. Our actual league position is shown by the red line. Last years chart is here if you want to compare.
That's a pretty flat line which is partially down to, what turned out to be, a fairly comfortable season. I think it also has a lot to do with Roy's football philosophy rubbing off on me. We're going to have good days and bad days but we shouldn't get over excited or massively concerned about either. That said, I couldn't help but be enthusiastic after the Man Utd win and the brilliant finish!
My view on what has been a fantastic season from start to end. There were lots of tough choices to make which is a good sign of how well things went. Although these awards identify individuals for praise the success we achieved was all about how we performed as a team. The sum of our parts was greater than the separate components and that's down to Mr Roy Hodgson.
Player of the Season: Brede Hangeland - This was really tough to choose which is probably one of the reasons our season turned out so well. For me it was between Brede and Danny Murphy. Both had exceptional seasons and were key players in getting the results we achieved. Up until a week go I was going with Murphy but I think I may have just got so used to Hangeland doing what he does I almost took it for granted. Strong in the air, comfortable on the ball and intelligent with his movement, Brede is all you could ask for in a centre back. (Last season: Simon Davies)
Young Player of Season: Wayne Brown - Well there weren't many options in this category. I've watched Wayne play a few times for the reserves and liked what I saw. He seems to have made progress this season and got a brief taste of Premier League football (albeit just four minutes) when he replaced Zoltan Gera at Old Trafford. His recent loan move, to TPS Turku of Finland, can only be good for his development. (Last season: Elliott Omozusi)
Best New Signing: Mark Schwarzer - Another contender for player of the season. Schwarzer was our first signing of the summer, filling that Edwin van der Sar shaped gap we've been struggling with for some time. He has been fabulously consistent all year and has rightly been identified as one of the best keeper's in the League. (Last Season: Paul Konchesky)
Goal of the Season: Zoltan Gera v Man Utd - We've not scored many spectacular goals this year. Paul Konchesky's at West Ham is the only one that really stands out. Zoltan's overhead volley wasn't the most technically brilliant of goals but it meant so much and felt so sweet. (Last Season: Diomansy Kamara v Spurs)
Moment of the Season: Finishing 7th and reaching Europe - It's actually been a season of great moments; the home wins against Arsenal and Man Utd, Dempsey's equalising header against them and being safe from relegation in March. They were all signposts along the route to; our best ever finish in the top flight, the most points we've ever achieved, our highest final position and qualifying for the inaugural Europa League. Brilliant. Bloody brilliant. (Last Season: Kamara's double v Man City)
Most Improved Player: Dickson Etuhu - I had no great expectations for Dickson when he arrived. There had been some strong words of opposition on TFi before he came but that apart I don't think anyone thought he'd be much more than a squad player. When a mop haired midfielder left and Dickson stepped up I thought it was only a temporary fill. He did OK but nothing to suggest he could hold down a regular place. But he did just that. He grew in confidence as each game went by and before long it was clear he WAS going to be a regular and a good one at that. He's become one of my favourite players, anchoring the midfield, freeing Danny Murphy and just playing simple but effective football. Dickson? SHOOOOOT! (Last season: No award)
Most Disappointing Player: No award - Yet again I don't think there's anyone who hasn't tried their best for the club this year. It may not have gone as smoothly for some as they would have liked but they've given it their best shot. (Last season: No award)
Most Underrated Player: Aaron Hughes - Can a player be underrated two years in a row? To be honest I think we all know how important Aaron is to our defence. He's one of the reasons Hangeland looks so good. Always there to tidy up at the back, cover for someone who's out of position or put in a late block. He's only underrated because there are so many other players around him getting the plaudits. A top bloke and a smashing footballer. (Last season: Aaron Hughes)
Player Performance: Murphy v Swansea City - Having scraped through the first game by the skin of our teeth, we found ourselves a goal down at home in the replay. We weren't playing badly but we were running out of ideas. Danny entered the fray on the hour mark and totally turned the game around. He's been running our midfield all season but this was spectacular proof of his all round ability. (Last season: Jimmy Bullard v Aston Villa)
Team Performance: Home v Man Utd - Quite possibly the best Fulham performance I've ever seen. Just two weeks after United had brushed us aside in the F.A. Cup this was the Hodgson team at its very best. A brilliant atmosphere from start to finish. A classy Danny Murphy penalty. Ridiculing the World and European footballer of the year. A winning goal from a remarkable over head kick. Great times. (Last season: Away v Reading)
Best Opposition: Manchester United - This for their 4-0 victory at the Cottage in the cup. For 20 minutes we seemed to have their measure but they were in determined mood that day. Stepped it up a notch got a bit of good fortune and took us to the cleaners. I was also very impressed with Everton on the last day of the season, even more so considering they had the F.A. Cup final on the horizon. A special mention for Swansea who were excellent in both cup games, and Sunderland who caught us on a very bad day but certainly didn't look like relegation candidates. (Last season: Tottenham Hotspur)
Best Opposition Player: Stephen Piennar - Strong running, intelligent midfielder. Did a lot of the hard work for the Toffees and proved too much for us to handle. Enabled players like Cahill and Leon Osman the opportunities to cause us all sorts of problems. (Last season: Javier Mascherano (Liverpool))
Best Goal Celebration: Zoltan Gera v Man Utd - It's been a difficult season for Zoltan and there was real joy in his eyes as he peeled away and ran towards the Johnny Haynes stand. (Last season: The whole team at Pompey)
Quote of the Year: Roy Hodgson "Do you want to go down the (Jamie) Redknapp route - only England, Italy and Spain count? Are we going to say 'You're from Spain, you might be just about okay but the rest of you, Switzerland, France, Poland, Russia, Austria, Ukraine, Slovenia, Serbia, you don't count?' It's nonsense" - It's unusual for Roy to criticise anyone specifically which makes his response to Jamie Redknapp's suggestion about European Refs all the more cutting. As always Roy sees the bigger picture.
This is my latest attempt to provide a "definitive" list of famous (or at least reasonably well known) Fulham supporters. The longer the list gets the more likely it is to include people who may not really be "proper" Fulham supporters. Don't get too upset by this, my original aim was to produce as long a list as possible, so as far as I'm concerned if you've been once its enough!
I began keeping track of these names when, in searching the Internet to find just such a list, I only found two web page links ... and both were blank. I constructed my own list and then posted it on TFI to see who I had missed. This resulted in a massive response which initiated the much larger list which you will find below. The list is in no particular order and almost certainly contains "much which is apocryphal or, at the very least, wildly inaccurate". Subsequently I have found this site The Famous Football Supporters Page which includes a decent attempt but is by no means exhaustive. I will endeavour to maintain this list as the "official FFC Famous Fans list" and would be happy to hear from any one with information about other famous Fulham fans or corrections to the current list. Either post a comment or send me an email and I'll consider the change. Better still, if you are a famous person on the list and aren't actually a Fulham supporter, drop me a line and I'll happily take you along to a game. Hell, who wouldn't want to be on a list that includes Pussy Galore, Pope John Paul II AND The OXO Dad!
The Definitive List Of Famous Fulham F.C. Fans Last Updated: 5th June 2009
Actors Ray Brooks (Eastenders, Robbie Box in Big Deal & Narrator of Mr Ben) Sharon Duce (Big Deal) Dominic Guard (Sharon Duce's partner) Christopher Guard (Dominic's brother & Cathy Shipton's partner) Cathy Shipton (Nurse Duffy in Casualty) Michael Redfern (The OXO Dad) Hugh Grant Liz Hurley (has apparently been spotted since splitting with Hugh) Iain Fletcher (DC Rod Skase in The Bill) Neil Dudgeon (BBC's Messiah - pretty sure he used to sit near me in block H3) Sue Pollard Keith Allen Willie Rushton Nigel Havers Liz Frazer (Carry-On Films) Sam Kydd Bella Emberg (Russ Abbott sidekick) Pierce Brosnan Kevork Malikyan (Greek bloke off Mind Your Language & many films) Fulton MacKay (Mr MacKay in Porridge) Tony Booth (Father of Cherie Blair) Tony Curtis Ben Chaplin (Game-On and a film with a long title) Patrick Mower (currently Emmerdale) John Woodvine Ewen MacIntosh (Big Keith in "The Office") James Villiers Ian Cuthbertson Harry Fowler Hugh Laurie Nigel Planer (The Young Ones) Neil Pearson (Drop The Dead Donkey) Robin Askwith (Confessions films) George Selway (Beryl's Lot) Maurice Kaufman Honor Blackman Peter Vaughan Geraldine McKewan (Miss Marple) Benicio Del Toro Jack Coleman (HRG from Heroes) Shaun Williamson (Barry from Eastenders)
Television Celebrities "Nasty" Nick Bateman (Big Brother) Georgie Thompson (Sky Sports News presenter) Isobel Lang (BBC Weather) Emily Maitlis (BBC News) Scorpio (from Gladiators) Tim Ewart (ITN Sports Editor) Des Lynham (Brighton supporter but regular attender at FFC for 2005/06) Kirsty Gallacher (Presenter - Really a Liverpool fan but has attended in the past possibly due to her Dad) Nick Ross (Presenter, BBC Crimewatch) Keith Chegwin (Presenter, Chegger's Plays Pop) Richard Parks (Fame Academy) "Handy" Andy Kane (TV Handyman) Janet Street Porter (Various) Joel Defries (Blue Peter presenter) James McQuillan (from The Apprentice 2009)
Musicians Michael Jackson Ralph McTell Dave Parsons (Bass Guitarist from Bush) Lily Allen Alex James (Bass Guitarist from Blur & pal of Keith Allen) Sam Jeffers (Drummer with Fridge) Kai Stephens (Bass Guitarist in Hard-Fi) or it could be Ross Phillips (Guitarist in Hard-Fi) Les Gray (Singer in Mud) Sade Richard Drummie (Go West - though it might be Peter Cox) Paul Roberts (Singer, The Stranglers replacing Hugh Cornwall) Dusty Springfield Example (Rapper) Billy Franks (Singer, The Faith Brothers) Kate Nash (Singer & friend of Lily Allen) Jamie T (Singer) Alan Price Derek "The Draw" Hussey (Singer with The Blockheads) Patrick Mascall (Singer & Guitarist with Von Tramp & former FFC programme editor) The Rapture (US Dance-Punk band) Crispian Mills (Singer with Kula Shaker) Felix White (Guitarist with The Maccabees) The Lurkers (Band whose debut album was "Fulham Fallout") Mark Baron (Another Level) Swervedriver (Indie Band) Don Hymel (The Tim & Bob Show) Neil Cowley (The Neil Cowley Trio)
Other Arts & Entertainment John O’Farrell (Author & Broadcaster) John Henry Ellen (Author) Alex White (Author) Dennis Turner (Author) Martin Plumb (Author) Peter Thompson (Author) Ken Coton (Photographer) Alex Ferguson (Famous Fan & Author) "Diddy" David Hamilton (DJ) Dennis Potter (Playwright) Tommy Trinder (Comedian and ex-Chairman) Johnny Speight (Writer of "Til Death Us Do Part") John Sullivan (Writer of "Only Fools & Horses" and "Citizen Smith") Eric Thompson (Writer of "The Magic Roundabout", Actor & Presenter) Steve Steen (Comedian) Danny Robins (Comedian) Arthur Smith (Comedian) Richard Kauffman (Radio 5 presenter)
Fictional Wolfie Smith ("Citizen Smith" played by Robert Lindsey) Terry McCann ("Minder" played by Dennis Waterman) Ronald "Budgie" Bird ("Budgie" played by Adam Faith) George ("Men Behaving Badly" played by Ian Lindsay) DC "Dangerous" Davies ("The Last Detective" played by Peter Davison) Mod ("The Last Detective" played by Sean Hughes) Dougal ("The Magic Roundabout" in one hard to find episode) Detective Inspector Jack Regan ("The Sweeney" played by John Thaw) Detective Sergeant George Carter ("The Sweeney" played by Dennis Waterman) Matty Cole ("55 Degrees North" played by Jaeden Burke) Butch Harry ("The Italian Job")
Politicians Steve Norris MP (was Everton but now a FFC regular) Steve Pound MP Martin Linton MP Andy Slaughter MP
Sports Jimmy Hill (ex-Player, ex-Chairman, TV Presenter & part time linesman) Bernard Gallacher (Golfer) Paul Duggan (Mountaineer) Andy Woodman (Journeyman Goalkeeper - suggested he may be a Palace fan) Jamie Moralee (Footballer) Nicky Bailey (Footballer) Dario Gradi (Football Manager) Alan Pardew (Football Manager) Alan Smith (Football Manager) Gary Johnson (Football Manager) Graeme Banyard (Football Manager) Jim Gregory (Football Chairman) Malcom MacDonald (Former Football legend and Fulham Manager) Journalists Danny Fulbrook (Daily Star) Frank Keating (Guardian, Observer) Dave Kidd (The People) Chris Blackhurst (Financial Ed, Evening Sub-Standard) Ian Hawkey (Sunday Times) Joe Posnanski (The Kansas City Star)
Others Paul Kenny (General Secretary of the GMB) Max Clifford (Publicist) Micheal Cole (Former Harrods spokesman) The Bloke Karate Kicked by Eric Cantona (Assumed he was a Palace fan but apparently he was a regular at Fulham) Craig Hutchinson (Football Agent) Keith Castle (1st British Heart Transplant patient) Pope John Paul II (Pope)
How typically Fulhamish. In our best ever season we manage to be last on Match of the Day more times than anyone else except Wigan. Mike Whalley's excellent site has been tracking this for the last two seasons. Last season we came joint 2nd behind the frankly massive 13 appearances Derby County mustered. This season it was a much closer affair with us and Wigan managing nine appearances each but Fulham claiming the title thanks to the Gubba difference.
The pre-match omens were almost too greatly in our favour; a fixture that has been won by the home side on the previous 15 occasions, an Everton side that would surely have one eye on the F.A. Cup final, a Fulham team that still needed a point to secure European football and were keen to end our best ever season on a high. In the end it was too good to be true and we found out just how big the difference is between the team that finishes 5th and the team that finishes 7th.
Everton were very good today. They seized on our weaknesses, gave us no time on the ball, cut out the threat of Murphy and took their chances when they came. Saha was excellent in the solo front man role, hit the crossbar early on and reminded us all of what we lost when he left. It was Steven Pienaar though, who proved to be the driving force. Surging forward time and again, and eventually capitalising on a mix up between Hangeland and Paintsil to find Leon Osman, who slotted home to give the Toffees a half time lead.
Fulham tried hard to find a way back in the second period. Dempsey, who had looked our best player in the first 45, had a number of efforts blocked. Paintsil pushed on more and more, one tantalising run ending with a shot that we all hoped might fly in but ended up veering wide of the post. Hangeland also started to try and force the game our way. A sliding tackle to prevent a breakaway left the opposition player on the floor, whilst Brede picked himself on and continued to charge forward. A neat pass to Dempsey (I think) led to a fee kick which we unfortunately wasted. If this does turn out to be Brede's last game for the club it at least gave us another glimpse of how important the Norwegian has become. I got the impression he really wanted another win today.
A series of subs saw Zamora replace the flagging Nevland. Given more time he might have made a difference, but he didn't do a lot for his reputation slicing one effort hopelessly wide and firing a decent effort straight at Tim Howard. Dacourt replaced the erratic Gera to make what may be his last professional appearance and Chris Smalling replaced Aaron Hughes. Hughes receiving a well deserved ovation as he left the pitch. The game was over when that man Osman neatly collected a cross from the right wing, danced his way through the centre of our defence, and then sent a curling left foot shot crashing past Schwarzer. A goal worthy of winning any game.
Despite the result the party atmosphere remained (helped slightly by the news filtering through from Anfield) and we had the chance to applaud a team that has achieved our highest finish in the top flight.
I listened to the last twenty minutes of yesterday's game via the intermittent reception of Radio 5 Live as I travelled back from seeing my Dad in Bexhill. The tension at the ground came through loud and clear. Newcastle throwing all they could muster at us and finding out exactly why we've got to the very fringe of European qualification.
By then Newcastle were down to ten men and we'd already taken the lead. Danny Murphy riding a wild challenge in centre midfield before threading another perfect pass for Eric Nevland to run on to. Nevland timed his run perfectly, Steven Taylor woefully misplaced failing to catch the Norwegian offside, and surged into the box. Eric's magic feet then drew Steve Harper out of his goal then left the 'keeper stranded and helpless as he played a gentle pass sideways to the waiting Kamara. Diomansey had time to polish his boots, adjust his position and smile for the camera before firing into the top of the net.
It could have been a very different story for Newcastle. Martins hit the post early on and Viduka had a goal harshly disallowed (though I'd say Kevin Nolan got his just reward for a lifetime of infringing goalkeepers) in the second half. Dickson Etuhu also made a remarkable goal line clearance. Then it was Schwarzer's turn to take the plaudits making two outstanding saves, first reacting quickly to a lunging effort from Nicky Butt, then saving smartly from a ferocious shot from Obafemi Martins.
Another clean sheet on the road and another composed team performance. We sit proudly 7th placed with only Spurs capable of catching us. Even if they do we won't finish lower than 8th and with a new record points tally of 53 we've already achieved our best ever finish. One more game to go and, whatever happens, it's going to be a party at the Cottage next week.
My mate Andy's trail in following the F.A. Vase from the opening rounds to it's conclusion at Wembley came to an end on Sunday as Whitley Bay beat Andy's home town team Glossop North End 2-0 in the final. Well worth a read if your interest in football isn't solely focused on the media bun fight that is the Premier League.
It seems the beautiful game is the new hot topic for the film industry. "The Damned United" has already taken it's share of plaudits and criticisms and here comes the new Ken Loach film "Looking for Eric". The film is being promoted by a Fulham supporter and features Eric Cantona - now there's a player I'd have liked to see in the white of Fulham.
OK. Let's try that again. I'm blaming Google Docs conversion from my original spreadsheet! Corrected table below, hopefully right this time. Quite funny to see how many Spurs fans took this really seriously.
This had seemed a good idea early in the season. We were flying high with wins against Arsenal and Spurs and Chelsea were languishing at the bottom of the table. Typically these things even themselves out and the final table makes disappointing reading. Still, I figured I ought to finish what I started and publish it anyway.
NUTS! I cocked that up - will fix it and come back with the correct table later. Soz.
Following in my Dad's and my Grandad's footsteps I have been a Fulham supporter since the age of six when we reached the F.A. Cup Final. I went to my first game in 1979, a cracker against Burnley which we won 3-1, but saw the Whites relegated that same season. This set me up pretty well for a life as a Fulham supporter.
