Monday Fulham Stuff (18/02/19)...

[WhiteJC]

 
Notes from February meeting with Fulham Football Club

HEADLINES

    Zara Harrison book of condolence available to sign
    Riverside Stand plans on track and unaffected by possible relegation
    Detailed planning for Riverside season ticket holder relocation underway
    Ticket sales policy for 'Final Six' home games questioned
    Season ticket exchange scheme not introduced this season
    Modifications to non-standing away seats proposed
    Club vote for £30 away ticket cap in response to Trust request
    Transfer window reviewed
    Context requested for diversity survey

ATTENDEES

On Monday 11 February 2019, Alistair Mackintosh (AM, Chief Executive), David Daly (DD, Non Executive Director), Huw Jennings (HJ, Academy Director), Carmelo Mifsud (CM, Media Relations Manager), Peter Spartin (PS, Head of Commercial Development) and Nicola Walworth (NW, Supporter Relations Manager) of Fulham Football Club met with Ian Clarke, Sue Couch and Tom Greatrex of the Fulham Supporters' Trust at Motspur Park as part of the structured dialogue between both parties.

ZARA HARRISON

The Trust offered condolences on behalf of our members and Fulham fans to the family, friends and colleagues of Zara Harrison at the Club after the sad news of her passing. The Trust plan to send a wreath on behalf of supporters, and encourages supporters who wish to extend their thoughts to Zara's family to sign the book of condolence.

JOHNNY HAYNES TROPHY

The Trust thanked HJ and the Club for the handover ceremony for the Johnny Haynes Trophy for the FST Academy Player of the Year. Home-grown players are very much appreciated by fans, and the Trust has had a lot of positive feedback on the decision to sponsor the award and to recognise progress made by the future playing talent at Fulham. AM and HJ thanked the Trust for this initiative, and sponsoring the Trophy. CM confirmed there would be content on the Club website and other channels about the Trophy as its first winner is announced.

RIVERSIDE STAND – PROJECT UPDATE

The Trust asked for an update on development of the Riverside Stand, and progress towards the stated start date for demolition shortly after the end of the current season. AM responded that this is taking up most of his time, and the Club is in the tender phase for sub-contracts having previously appointed a lead contractor.  The Club is aiming to place all of the main tendered packages by the end of April through the main contractor.

The Trust asked whether a delay in the award of any of these packages would impact upon starting demolition work of the Riverside Stand. AM responded that all tenders have been invited on the basis of a start of work by the end of May. It was clarified that the pitch is used for some events for the period immediately after the end of the season, which is why work is scheduled to begin at the end of May.

The Trust also pressed on whether possible relegation would impact on commencing work on the stand.  AM replied that the division the Club is in is irrelevant to the timescales for work starting on the Riverside Stand.

The Trust then asked for further details on other developments on the stand build plan since the last meeting.   AM and PS explained that detailed planning work is being undertaken by the lead contractor which will establish the extent of any other work required; asked for an example, AM mentioned access behind the Hammersmith End may need to be widened by taking out the 'mound' at the back of the stand.

RIVERSIDE STAND – RELOCATION OF SEASON TICKET HOLDERS

In response to a series of questions in relation to the relocation of supporters from the Riverside Stand, PS reiterated that the Club valued the engagement of the Trust and working group on this, and acknowledged the desire of many season ticket holders to continue to be seated with the groups they have been part of for some time. The Trust also set out the importance of relocated Riverside season ticket holders having the opportunity to return to the new stand when it is completed. PS indicated this is being taken on board, and appreciates the move will cause disruption.

The Trust also underlined the importance of direct communications with those who will need to be relocated, and PS and CM agreed, also highlighting they have taken note of how Bristol City managed a similar exercise during the construction of the new main stand at Ashton Gate.

Asked about timescales for beginning this process and renewal of season tickets in the affected areas, PS explained that it is dependent on finalising detailed information about available capacity next season. The Trust requested the opportunity to sense check the forthcoming survey on the Riverside Stand, which PS agreed to do, to help ensure the responses were of as much assistance as possible.

The Trust reiterated that, appreciating there are limited options available to the Club for relocation of Riverside season ticket holders, many understood there would be disruption but wanted to be able to sit close to their current groups, and to be able to have first refusal on similar seats in the new stand. PS welcomed this feedback, and confirmed that Riverside season ticket holders who renew and are relocated will have first priority on seats in the new stand as had been requested by the Trust on their behalf. However, seasonal hospitality may precede depending on the type of seat/product.

TICKETING – FINAL SIX AND LIVERPOOL FIXTURE

The Trust highlighted the significant concerns over the way in which the final six home fixtures' ticketing arrangements have been handled, underlining that it is the largest volume of emails ahead of meetings we have ever had on a single subject.

The Trust explained that advertising the on-sale dates with the final cut-off and "last chance" for new membership sales gave an impression of encouraging touts and away fans to purchase with a higher priority than existing season ticket holders.  AM responded that the Club had announced priority for members at the start of the season, had to set a cut-off date for memberships, and were keen to encourage Fulham supporters who had not done so to purchase a membership – not encouraging away fans to become members.

The Trust responded that it understood the argument for members being able to purchase a home seat ahead of season ticket holders purchasing additional tickets, but that if this was about enabling that then the Club could and should have set the cut off for the Liverpool fixture at an earlier point, knowing it was most likely to sell out fastest. The Trust also pointed out that if the Club wanted to target Fulham fans who have not bought a membership, they know who those fans are, in the same way that individuals were previously targeted to be offered a half season ticket through their purchase history.

AM agreed that the Club had taken an aggressive stance on membership sales to maximise an opportunity to increase memberships. The Trust reminded the Club that season ticket holders were their most valuable supporter base, and this approach created a perception of the Club putting revenue ahead of loyal and long-standing supporters.

The Trust asked how many members the Club currently has, and how many had taken out memberships between announcing ticketing arrangements for the last six home games and the cut off deadline. PS responded that the Club did not have those figures to hand.

The Trust further explained that the Club's positions on season ticket upgrades and the Liverpool ticket sales could be viewed as contradictory, with the former said to be in place to minimise touting but the latter likely to increase the chance of memberships and tickets falling into the hands of touts.

AM stated that he would like to see the ground as full as possible of Fulham fans – the more Fulham fans the better.

TICKETING – SEASON TICKET EXCHANGE

Having raised this a number of times in previous meetings, the Trust had been disappointed to be informed that the promised season ticket exchange scheme was not going to be introduced. PS explained that it was due to start with the Spurs game, but that match had not sold quickly enough for it to be implemented, and only the Manchester United and Liverpool fixtures had sold out early enough. The Club felt it was too much resource to dedicate for two fixtures alone.

The Trust expressed its disappointment again, and pointed out that similar schemes are commonplace at many clubs. This decision, allied with the final six ticketing policy, left many season ticket holders feeling let down. The Trust asked that with the prospect of a reduced capacity, and a greater proportion of season tickets to general sale tickets next season, such a scheme is introduced for next season as part of a package to maximise the number of Fulham fans in the ground. The Club is looking at this again, along with other suggestions from the Trust on ticketing for next season.

TICKETING – AWAY TICKETS

The Trust reported back on some issues encountered at Crystal Palace with the hitherto largely successful trial of non-standing seats for away fixtures. Fulham fans purchasing non-standing seats have shown consideration and understanding since they were introduced, however at Selhurst Park while the front rows of two blocks had non-standing seats, the third block (T) did not.  This  meant that those in the non-standing seats had their view disrupted. This impacted more at Palace because away fans are alongside the pitch rather than behind a goal or in a corner.  The Trust suggested that in future all blocks are used for non-standing seats but with fewer rows if necessary.

The Trust asked why some away fixtures are sold at 4, some at 2 and some at 1 ticket per supporter with the requisite number of loyalty points. AM responded that it was based on anticipated sales, considering distance, day of fixture, number of proximate away fixtures and previous sales patterns. The Club don't want to have empty seats in away allocations which have to be paid for in full.

The Trust asked that for the Bournemouth and Watford fixtures, both currently scheduled to be played on Saturday at 3pm, given smaller allocations and relative closeness of grounds, that early information is made available. NW explained that often the delay in beginning sales for away fixtures is due to late information received from the host clubs. 

TICKETING – AWAY TICKET PRICE CAP

AM reported that at the previous week's Premier League meeting, Fulham had voted in favour of continuing the £30 cap for away tickets for the next three year period. This had been in response to representations made by the Trust in previous meetings. The Trust thanked AM and the Club for taking these views on board, and voting accordingly.

TRANSFER WINDOW

The Trust asked AM to set out the approach to the recent transfer window, how successful the Club had felt recruitment had been, and what lessons there are for future transfer windows.

AM explained that many potential and prospective transfers are discussed from the start of the window, but often are not concluded until the deadline due to availability of players to replace them. AM would prefer to do business as early as possible, but it's not always possible to control that. It was a quieter market than in previous windows, with a lower number of moves than usual – no Premier League club brought in more than three players, as Fulham did.  AM explained that the priority was to seek to strengthen the defence, and guidelines were relaxed to seek to recruit defensive reinforcement. AM also said that Ryan Babel had improved attacking options available to the Manager since he had joined part way through the window.

The Trust pointed out that during the last January window all the players coming in were uninjured and playing in the English league, so needed less time to adjust and were able to make an immediate contribution; this wasn't the case this time. AM responded that the incoming players had English league experience, and the availability of players was limited in this window. There were deals agreed with clubs where players decided against the move, and with a player where the owning club were not prepared to sell because a replacement had not been signed. This means deals can fall through late in the window and on deadline day, despite the best of intentions and serious effort being put in weeks in advance.

The Trust asked about signings only on short term contracts.  AM responded that other potential transfers were for longer periods, but were not able to be completed for various reasons. AM also explained that season long loan deals can vary, but are usually able to be terminated only with agreement from both clubs and the player involved, which can work for or against a club with a loan player, depending on performances.

The Trust asked whether the Director of Football would have additional support on his football responsibilities given the range of other sporting activity he is involved in. AM reiterated that Tony Khan is very committed to Fulham, and that he is very knowledgeable about football in great detail. It is also the case that he has a team supporting him, on scouting, on analysis of players and performance data.

The Trust requested that given the level of interest in the way in which transfers are undertaken, some content should be produced for Fulham TV and/or the website explaining the process in more detail – as other clubs have recently done, for example Wolves where John Marshall is Head of Recruitment.

The Trust asked about use of specific agents, given some of the media coverage from the sad death of Emiliano Sala. AM explained that the Club's players have a wide spread of agents and agencies, and the Club does not have a policy of using specific agents. There is a range in the services agencies offer to players; some provide assistance with practical issues – accommodation, cars etc – others only negotiate transfers on behalf of players or clubs.

HJ explained that agents were banned for players until they reach their 16thbirthday. Asked whether most academy players were represented by agents, HJ confirmed that was the case for most players once they reach 16 and agencies will contact players' families to seek to represent them.

OTHER ISSUES

DIVERSITY SURVEY

The Trust reported that members had been in contact about the recent diversity survey, with concerns about the reasons for the survey, how the information would be used and about the way in which the questions were constructed. The Trust had benefited from the discussion at the January meeting, and reflected it in the notes of that meeting, but if some context had been provided with the survey it might have helped elicit more responses.

PS explained that the questionnaire was produced by a third party, designed specifically to provoke consideration of issues, and the Club had little input on the questions. AM noted that there had been a high return rate, and that this was part of an exercise associated with research across the Premier League.

The Trust suggested that contextual information should be provided in all future surveys to help maximise responses, and should be provided with any reminders for this survey.

KICK IT OUT REPORTING NUMBER AND ANNIVERSARY

Trust members had requested that the facility provided by Kick It Out to report racial abuse on matchday be publicised more frequently. CM agreed to look into announcing it more frequently, and the possibility of displaying it on the electronic scoreboard. 

The Trust noted that it was Kick It Out's 25th anniversary, and that the Premier League wanted to highlight work done by clubs to coincide with the Kick It Out weekends in March.  The Trust offered to support and amplify what the Club was planning for the relevant home fixture (Manchester City)

MEDICAL TEAM UPDATES

The Trust requested that updates on players recovering from injuries be reinstated on the website and/or Fulham TV – they were popular in the past, and would be a welcome feature. CM agreed to do so.

Since the meeting the first such update has been produced by the Club.

PLANNING FOR NEXT SEASON

In addition to the points raised earlier in the meeting and at previous meetings on ticketing, the Trust asked about planning for next season given the possibility of playing in the Championship. AM responded that all at the Club were working hard to seek to stay in the Premier League and was confident that was achievable. However, a number of players were on short or loan contracts, or their contracts were due to expire. Others have relegation wage clauses. He also confirmed that clubs relegated the season after promotion receive parachute payments for two years.

The meeting, which started at 12.30pm, concluded at 3.15pm



http://fulhamsupporterstrust.com/news/2019/2/16/notes-from-february-meeting-with-fulham-football-club.html

[WhiteJC]

 
A Call To Arms

Gallipoli. 1915. Australian troops attempt to storm the beach, and lose almost 8000 men. Yet over time, a tactical defeat became a nation defining event, where the virtues of courage, and helping out your mates were formed. And it demonstrates that there is such thing as losing, and losing.

Few Fulham fans are under any delusions that we aren't in a desperate situation. And after a transfer window that would make Lee Carvallo's Putting Challenge blush, there doesn't appear to be an 11th hour saviour ready to turn that around.

We have an incredibly difficult run, and a team that can implode without warning. What do we as fans do? I have a bold, and probably unpopular suggestion: We sing.

It's a call to arms that nobody wants to hear. It was easy singing '22, 22 undefeated' as we left The Den last year, or when TC held the trophy aloft at Wembley. It's not so easy when Cardiff put us to the sword, or we fall on our own against Burnley. But it becomes crucially important for two good reasons.

It creates the final impression
If we are to go down, we get to leave one lasting impression on the Premier League. I would like to leave a legacy of a fanbase that didn't give up; that didn't crucify their players on Twitter (as if the players would ever search their own name in a slump); that made home games intimidatingly loud.

Come May 13th, when an acquaintance who bravely supports a top 6 team swaggers up to you, would it not take some of the sting off if the second thing they mention is "Fair play to Fulham supporters though, they never gave up!" A fanbase that rolls over doesn't deserve Premier League football any more than a team who does the same.

The manner in which we go down matters.

It lifts the team
The first reason is reason enough. However, an accidental bi-product of a fanbase doggedly supporting an underperforming team is that it may well cause them to lift. Case in point: When Coldplay were just about to burst onto the world scene, their drummer Will Champion was having a shocker. He couldn't stick to a tempo, and couldn't finish a song without stopping a few times along the way. Confidence shattered, he decided to quit, and the band started auditioning other drummers. Enter Dave Grohl, the nicest man in rock'n'roll. He sent a letter to Champion, saying that he liked his vibe and style. The rest is history. Champion metamorphisised overnight, finding confidence and a consistent tempo. He stayed on and holds his own in one of the world's biggest bands.

Now admittedly, when I watched Cyrus Christie against Arsenal at the Cottage, I was not feeling quite so altruistic. It's difficult in the heat of the game to be rational. But we are now entering a crisis where the usual rules of football no longer apply. We don't have the luxury of slating a poor performance anymore. It may feel good to boo the team after a torrid 90 minutes, but it actually does the opposite of what you want. Motivational research has shown this time and time again. A hard word from the right person can provoke a response. Many hard words from the entire Hammersmith End is counter-productive. You may well say 'they are professional athletes, criticism comes with the territory!" Well, try paying someone to not have anxiety anymore, or to never feel stressed again. The argument falls flat.

We need to give them grace that they may not deserve in order to get the result we want. It's delayed gratification, but it's part of being an adult.

So: The players may well play poorly. And we can boo them and curse them on Twitter. And they will probably play poorly again as a result.

Or.

We can be tactical here. They may well play poorly. But we should sing their name to the rafters of the Hammy End. The team may lift, and we may well survive. We don't have any control over that. But we control how the commentators speak about the home fans, and we control the impression we send to the millions of people watching all over the world. We can portray a club with heart, soul, and (dare I say it) an identity.

As for me personally? If we are to go down, I will go down swinging.

Let that be how Fulham are remembered. That, at least, is up to us...



https://www.fulhamish.co.uk/post/2019-02-17-a-call-to-arms/

[WhiteJC]

 
Battle for safety: Fulham

A look at the fixtures, form and key man in the Cottagers' fight to avoid an immediate return to the Championship

The battle to avoid relegation is intensifying as the season enters its final third, so we have taken a look at the prospects of the eight teams with the biggest fight to remain in the Premier League.

Pos   Team   Pl   GD   Pts
13   CRY   26   -7    27
14   BHA   26   -11    27
15   BUR   26   -18    27
16   NEW   26   -12    25
17   CAR   26   -23    25
18   SOU   26   -16    24
19   FUL   26   -33    17
20   HUD   26   -34    11

Fulham

After earning promotion via the playoffs and an end to a five-year absence from the Premier League, the Cottagers have been struggling to avoid an immediate return to the Championship.

They lie 19th, eight points from safety, with 12 matches remaining.

Only once have a team kept their Premier League status from such a position.

West Ham United were 10 points from safety with nine matches remaining in 2006/07 but claimed seven victories to stay up on the final weekend.

Fulham fans can also take heart from their own great escape the following season.

Trailing Manchester City 2-0 at half-time, Roy Hodgson's side would have been relegated in 2007/08 if the result had stood.

But they fought back in the final 20 minutes to triumph 3-2 at the Etihad Stadium before wins over Birmingham City and Portsmouth secured safety on goal difference.

Form

Fulham stemmed a three-match losing run from the start of the year, including against relegation rivals Burnley, with a comeback win at home to Brighton & Hove Albion, battling from 2-0 down at half-time to win 4-2.

But Claudio Ranieri has not been able to build on a fourth victory of the season, instead suffering back-to-back defeats against Crystal Palace and Manchester United.

Next fixtures

After their derby across London at West Ham on Friday, Fulham face a crucial showdown with Southampton on Wednesday, 27 February.

A repeat of the victory in the reverse fixture in November would close the gap on the team immediately above them to four points.

Thereafter, Ranieri's task becomes more of a challenge with two top-six sides on the horizon.

Fulham will host Chelsea and Liverpool in March, either side of a trip to Leicester City.

Key man

Fulham need someone to ease the burden on striker Aleksandar Mitrovic, who has 10 goals this season, including important strikes against Burnley, Brighton, Southampton and Huddersfield Town.

January signing Ryan Babel could be that man, having set up two of last month's four goals against Brighton.

Cottagers fans will hope the Dutchman can continue to provide creativity and attacking threat, while adding goals of his own.



https://www.premierleague.com/news/1055878

[WhiteJC]

 
Lanzini, Wilshere, Balbuena and Nasri - latest West Ham injury news & expected return dates

Who is out and who is a doubt for the game at the London Stadium

West Ham United manager Manuel Pellegrini could welcome back a trio of attacking midfielders against Fulham on Friday night.

Having been knocked out of the FA Cup in the fourth round at the hands of AFC Wimbledon, this weekend marked a rare gameweek in which the Hammers weren't in action.

This means by the time they take to the field at the London Stadium against the Cottagers it will have been a full 13 days since their last fixture - which was against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.

Marko Arnautovic was declared fit for that game after missing the draw with Liverpool due to a foot problem, but had to settle for an appearance off the bench as the Irons earned a point in the London derby.

Speaking afterwards, Pellegrini confirmed that the Hammers would have a warm-weather training camp in Spain, before returning to the UK to step up preparations for the game against Fulham on Friday, February 22.

"We are going to do a training camp out of England, probably in Spain," Pellegrini said.

"We are not going to go on holiday, we are going to work there, maybe in better weather than here.

"Also to take them out some days is good for the group, so there are a lot of things that helped me decide to take the team there."

The break may have come at the right time for the east London outfit as it would appear the injury crisis is beginning to ease up ahead of the clash against Fulham.

With that said, here is the latest injury news from the Rush Green training ground and their expected return dates, thanks to the good people at Physioroom.com.

Samir Nasri

Type of injury: Calf

Expected return date: February 22, 2019

Fabian Balbuena

Type of injury: Knee

Expected return date: February 22, 2019

Jack Wilshere

Type of injury : Ankle

Expected return date: February 22, 2019

Andriy Yarmolenko

Type of injury: Achilles

Expected return date: No return date set

Manuel Lanzini

Type of injury: Right ACL

Expected return date: February 22, 2019

Winston Reid

Type of injury: Knee

Expected return date: No return date set

Carlos Sanchez

Type of injury: Knee

Expected return date: Out for the season



https://www.football.london/west-ham-united-fc/players/west-ham-injuries-lanzini-nasri-15803391

[MikeW]

"AM explained that the priority was to seek to strengthen the defence"

Well that went well

[hovewhite]

"AM explained that the priority was to seek to strengthen the defence"

Well that went well

the new defender,the invisible Man!!

[Roberty]

"AM explained that the priority was to seek to strengthen the defence"

Well that went well

the new defender,the invisible Man!!

Agent : Fulham want to sign you to strengthen their defence and are prepared to pay a bucket of cash for you to play for them
Player : I can see that Fulham are second favourites to be relegated to the Championship, what happens then ?
Agent : Ah - I was hoping you wouldn't ask - the bucket will spring a huge leak and be half empty next season
Player : That's what I thought - NO THANKS

What was everyone expecting - players and their agents as not daft