News:

Use a VPN to stream games Safely and Securely 🔒
A Virtual Private Network can also allow you to
watch games Not being broadcast in the UK For
more Information and how to Sign Up go to
https://go.nordvpn.net/SH4FE

Main Menu


How Many Do You Think We Are Taking?

Started by White Noise, May 10, 2010, 10:55:53 AM

Previous topic - Next topic

White Noise

'The People' reckon we will have 16,000 there.


http://www.people.co.uk/sport/football/news/2010/05/09/fulham-s-europa-league-final-dream-102039-22243928/

Fulham's Europa League Final Dream


May 9 2010 by Dean Jones, The People


HE HAS washed the kit, pushed the team bus and scored more than 20 goals at Fulham.

This week, Ray Lewington sets out to complete one of the most remarkable rags-to-riches stories in the history of English football.

Fulham have travelled 18,000 miles in order to reach the Europa League final but for assistant ­manager Lewington, the journey began 30 years ago.

As he takes his place alongside Roy Hodgson in Hamburg, Lewington will attempt to help mastermind a stunning defeat of La Liga giants Atletico Madrid.

But it's all a far cry from when he joined the club as a ­tenacious midfielder. Back then, Fulham were in freefall.

By 1986 they were skint, ­fighting for survival in the old Third Division and Lewington was elevated to the role of boss.

The future seemed bleak, but every side in the Football League can take hope from their story as Fulham emerged from the depths of despair to now sit 90 minutes from becoming the first side to win the Europa League.

Money

Lewington said: "I can't ­compare my time here now to how it was back then.

"It's a different club. The only thing still recognisable is the fact we play at Craven Cottage.

"I took the job as player-­manager when I was only 29, and the club had no money for ­anything. It wasn't easy.

"One time the washing ­machine broke down at the training ground and we couldn't get it fixed, so I had to take the kit home to wash. I can't imagine that happening now."

But laundry was the least of Fulham's worries. Travel was the real nightmare, and the side's recent 17-hour coach journey to Hamburg almost seems a luxury considering Lewington's early days at the Cottage.

He said: "What I remember clearly is that we were never ­allowed overnight trips. But we managed to persuade the club to let us stay at a hotel once when we played away to Hartlepool.

"There was a bed and breakfast up there which was closed, but they opened especially for us.

"It seemed like a great idea – but the place was absolutely ­freezing because there was no heating and some of the beds were the size of cots.

"Our big centre-half Glen Thomas came and knocked on my door midway through the night asking if he could swap beds with me because his legs were dangling off the end of his. It was unbelievable.

"In the morning, I asked the hotel manager what we were ­having for breakfast, and he told me it would be cereals.

"I had to give him money to go and stock up on eggs and bacon because some of the team had not eaten the night before and were starving.

"As if all that wasn't bad enough, we went to set off in the morning and our coach had conked out. The hotel was on the brow of a hill, so the driver told us to all start ­pushing until he could pick up some speed.

"Andy Cole had joined us on loan at the time. He thought it was a wind-up or that we were ­being filmed by Game for a Laugh. He didn't help us push.

"Anyway, we got to the ground in the end ... and lost 2-0. That's just how life at Fulham was."

The club's lowest ebb was when they came ­agonisingly close to ­dropping out of the Football League. But Mohamed Al Fayed arrived in 1997 with a vision to turn Fulham into the Manchester United of the south.

At the time, people laughed. But it was impossible then to realise that Fayed was pitching up for the long haul, not looking for a quick fix.

Fulham waltzed through the divisions and were promoted to the Premier League in 2001, with Lewington returning to the coaching staff in 2005. His presence in Hamburg this week will be looked upon with fond emotion by those fans who stuck with the club through ­difficult times.

Lewington is their link to the past. A part of the family.

He said: "I really hope those four or five thousand people that came to watch us then are still coming. Mainly because they had to put up with some real rubbish.

"It's fine to look back now but it was pretty unnerving back then. We had to play Liverpool three months into my time as player-manager in the League Cup.

"We got absolutely mullered. They were passing around us for fun and beat us 10-0. That wasn't a particular highlight."

Emotions

About 16,000 supporters are now expected to make the jaunt across to Germany in the hope captain Danny Murphy will lift their first major cup since the club was formed 131 years ago.

Lewington said: "Despite ­everything I've seen at the club, I won't let the occasion get to me in Hamburg.

"These days we travel first class everywhere and have real luxury – we have come so far. The ­players are aware of the history behind this club, too.

"It will be a special night, though. I'll be absolutely ­delighted if we win it. And we've got more than a chance ... trust me."

FatFreddysCat

I'd say they'd be spot on with 16,000.

WhiteJC

Quote from: White Noise on May 10, 2010, 10:55:53 AM

"It will be a special night, though. I'll be absolutely ­delighted if we win it. And we've got more than a chance ... trust me."


I trust him (and Roy)  :sir_roy:


FSF

Quote from: FatFreddysCat on May 10, 2010, 11:00:28 AM
I'd say they'd be spot on with 16,000.

That'd be a fair estimate, I'd agree. The tickets are sold out, and there'll be a few thousand going over for the crack and perhaps hoping to get tickets. Plus there'll be some ex-pats and that who'd come along, too, I'd imagine.

CorkedHat

16,000? Bloody hell what have we done - gone to Rentacrowd?
What we do for others will live on. What we do for ourselves will die with us

flynny

Its a stadium that holds 57,000 we should take more than that but thank god we are not playing the bin dippers we would only take 10,000 . because no one likes scousers only adults would go because of the trouble they cause. they rob there own . when they got to instanbul loads of ticket theft . look at heysel and they caused hillsborough trying to break in


FSF

Quote from: flynny on May 10, 2010, 04:15:24 PM
they caused hillsborough trying to break in

Demonstrably not true and lazy stereotypical tabloid nonsense. But carry on believing it if you wish.

SHADY1

#7
Spot on description of a large contingent of Liverpool fans. I know plenty of them and even they agree they have in the past spoilt what should be great occassions with exactly the behaviour mentioned.... we are so lucky they won't be there... they would have taken some of the glint of what will now be a superb few days win or lose..

14.500 thousand tops. The stadium capacity is 57000 but it will have the normal 10% or so capacity deductions they do for European games.
we are Fulham stay realistic or be for ever disappointed ...

GoldCoastWhite

16,000 plus gawd knows how many of us that wish we were there ! We will be with you in spirit so please sing your hearts out for those of us that will be glued to our screens all around the world screaming with you, singing with you, praying with you and please let it be - celebrating with you. COME ON YOU WHITES !!!   :clap_hands:


alfie

i was told loads and loads of people have returned their tickets as they cannot afford the air fares
Story of my life
"I was looking back to see if she was looking back to see if i was looking back at her"
Sadly she wasn't

os5889