A Message From The Chairman
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On behalf of my family and everyone at Fulham Football Club, I want to spend a few moments to wish you all a bright and happy holiday season and thank you for your loyal support throughout the entire journey of 2018.
What a journey this year has been, from 23 consecutive undefeated matches to the Championship Play-Offs and an appearance, finally, at Wembley Stadium and the thrill of promotion, to what has undeniably been a difficult experience thus far in our return to the Premier League. Our highs and lows have been extreme, and your nerves and mine have been severely tested as a result.
However, I am very encouraged by our past two outings. Despite a two-goal deficit at half-time versus West Ham United, I thought we began to show signs of the club we envisioned at the start of the season. And yesterday, at Newcastle United, we produced our first clean sheet of the season and were extremely unlucky late on not to have clinched the game-winner. In the weeks ahead, we will hopefully build resolve and a capability to capture all three points in matches like this, and I bet we do. Nonetheless, our scoreless draw represents progress and an important point earned on the road, far away from home.
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As I noted when the fixtures were released over the summer, I am thrilled for us to be home at Craven Cottage in the coming days for an early Boxing Day match versus Wolves, and then a traditional 3pm start on Saturday versus Huddersfield Town. It's been several years since we've been home for the holidays, and that's been a shame not only for our supporters, but just for the fact the setting of the Cottage is as perfect as it gets during the festive season. Our London derby on January 1st at Arsenal will then keep us close to SW6 as we welcome the challenge and opportunity of a new year under Claudio Ranieri, who will receive my support during the January transfer window as we aim to improve our position in the table.
Let's take the opportunity in the week to enjoy the company of family, friends and fellow supporters of what we all feel is the most special of football clubs anywhere in the world. I will be at the Cottage on Saturday for the important match against Huddersfield, and hope to see you there.
In the meantime, always know that I remain grateful for the welcome and continued warmth you've given me since being honoured in 2013 with the privilege of serving as your Chairman, and I look forward to sharing good times ahead with you in 2019 and beyond.
Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and Come On You Whites!
Shahid Khan
http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2018/december/23/a-message-from-the-chairman
I wish he'd stop saying things like how grateful and "honoured" he is and what a privilege it is to be "serving as your Chairman"
I'm happy we have a decent owner but its his money that bought him the right to be in control, nobody voted him in and he's not working for you and me or doing this as a duty!
A very welcome message from our Chairman. I wish people would stop moaning and just enjoy the good thoughts around Christmas and put their full support to Fulham during the rest of the season, whatever may come.
Well, I thought it was nicely worded and he makes reference to improving capability.
Sounds hopeful.
Quote from: Ronnief on December 23, 2018, 11:00:38 AM
A very welcome message from our Chairman. I wish people would stop moaning and just enjoy the good thoughts around Christmas and put their full support to Fulham during the rest of the season, whatever may come.
This is a football forum not a good will and peace to all Christmas forum.
After 56 plus years of "fully" supporting Fulham FC and ST holder I'm entitled to a view without my support being questioned.
Perhaps its all the PR guff that gets up my nose, like people who say have a nice day like a robot.
But yes its nicely worded and what else is he likely to say!
Quote from: bill taylors apprentice on December 23, 2018, 11:11:44 AM
Quote from: Ronnief on December 23, 2018, 11:00:38 AM
A very welcome message from our Chairman. I wish people would stop moaning and just enjoy the good thoughts around Christmas and put their full support to Fulham during the rest of the season, whatever may come.
This is a football forum not a good will and peace to all Christmas forum.
After 56 plus years of "fully" supporting Fulham FC and ST holder I'm entitled to a view without my support being questioned.
agree 100% bah humbug
Game-winner? Was that during overtime?
Quote from: andyk on December 23, 2018, 11:19:57 AM
Game-winner? Was that during overtime?
On a positive note, the wording suggests he wrote it himself rather than have the PR man do it for him?
I still haven't received a Christmas Card from him again this year.
Plus for the benefit of the photo, he could have at least worn a Red Suit with a White Beard.
Well this chairman is prepared to put his money where his mouth is that is for sure, just a shame that he gives his son the freedom to see how it is spent.
That sounds most ungrateful but I am really upset about that wasted £100m spent in the summer. We have never seen spending on that scale at Fulham before.
Oh, the cynicism !
FWIW, I like the man (and his millions). Would we all rather not have a very rich owner ?
Fulham Fans will be visited by three spirits before Christmas past.
The spirit of Fulham past will show the fan that said ' I have been a supporter since the mid 70s and this is the worst Fulham side I have seen'. What watching Fulham was really like in the 70s
The spirit of Fulham present will visit and show playing in the Prem isn't as bad a struggling in the lower divisions.
While the spirit of Fulham future will show the tombstone of the fans who say. ' I have every right to complain. I have every right to regurgitate the same nonsense and blame the club for my unhappy life.' The skeletal hand of the spirit will show fans like me that it is time to just enjoy the moment. Even a dull nil nil draw away at Newcastle.
Quote from: Lighthouse on December 23, 2018, 12:02:37 PM
Fulham Fans will be visited by three spirits before Christmas past.
The spirit of Fulham past will show the fan that said ' I have been a supporter since the mid 70s and this is the worst Fulham side I have seen'. What watching Fulham was really like in the 70s
The spirit of Fulham present will visit and show playing in the Prem isn't as bad a struggling in the lower divisions.
While the spirit of Fulham future will show the tombstone of the fans who say. ' I have every right to complain. I have every right to regurgitate the same nonsense and blame the club for my unhappy life.' The skeletal hand of the spirit will show fans like me that it is time to just enjoy the moment. Even a dull nil nil draw away at Newcastle.
...till Birnam Wood comes to Dunsinane.
Quote from: Fulham1959 on December 23, 2018, 11:55:29 AM
Oh, the cynicism !
FWIW, I like the man (and his millions). Would we all rather not have a very rich owner ?
I would rather have a rich Association Footballing owner who does not give his son a key role at Fulham FC his son is not qualified to be responsible for.
Nice message. The issue for us may now be next season. If we go down we need to maintain/build a PL squad in the Championship. Do a Wolves.
Thanks Shahid - Merry Christmas to you too, and thanks for what you've done for Fulham, getting us back into the Prem.
I do believe that his shows that he is prepared to spend whatever it takes in Jan to keep us up - if only to protect his investment, if you're cynical, and because he genuinely wants his club to do well, which reflects well on him as a businessman, of course.
Quote from: RaySmith on December 23, 2018, 12:44:53 PM
Thanks Shahid - Merry Christmas to you too, and thanks for what you've done for Fulham, getting us back into the Prem.
I do believe that his shows that he is prepared to spend whatever it takes in Jan to keep us up - if only to protect his investment, if you're cynical, and because he genuinely wants his club to do well, which reflects well on him as a businessman, of course.
I agree with you Ray, I also believe he will attempt to spend whatever it takes to keep us in the Premier League, which is encouraging, and coupled with the well earned clean sheet yesterday and a spirited team performance, I hope should stand us in good stead.
Yes the Jan Window is pivotal.
On a another note, I am to understand you were present and in attendance at the game yesterday.
How many of the marvellous Fulham supporters do you reckon we're at the game, give or take a couple hundred ?
Or if you carried out a roll call, how many were exactly there do you think ?
I made it about 500-600, but it was a little difficult as some fans would not keep still, kept moving around.
Quote from: Woolly Mammoth on December 23, 2018, 12:23:31 PM
Quote from: Fulham1959 on December 23, 2018, 11:55:29 AM
Oh, the cynicism !
FWIW, I like the man (and his millions). Would we all rather not have a very rich owner ?
I would rather have a rich Association Footballing owner who does not give his son a key role at Fulham FC his son is not qualified to be responsible for.
Did/do we have the luxury of such a choice ?
Quote from: Lighthouse on December 23, 2018, 12:02:37 PM
Fulham Fans will be visited by three spirits before Christmas past.
The spirit of Fulham past will show the fan that said ' I have been a supporter since the mid 70s and this is the worst Fulham side I have seen'. What watching Fulham was really like in the 70s
The spirit of Fulham present will visit and show playing in the Prem isn't as bad a struggling in the lower divisions.
While the spirit of Fulham future will show the tombstone of the fans who say. ' I have every right to complain. I have every right to regurgitate the same nonsense and blame the club for my unhappy life.' The skeletal hand of the spirit will show fans like me that it is time to just enjoy the moment. Even a dull nil nil draw away at Newcastle.
Love it. I guess we should all ask ourselves what we'd prefer for Christmas:-
Mitro or Sean Farrell?
Seri or Mark Cooper?
Mawson or Glen Thomas?
Sort of puts it into perspective, doesn't it?
What a lovely seasonal message from Shahid.
Even though we drew yesterday it felt like a real plus as I did not expect to get an away point & now look forward positively to the Boxing day match.
It's not easy being a Fulham supporter over the years (born in East London, then moved out into Essex) but have noticed that the word "Fulhamish" doesn't appear as much as it used to although I'm hoping to use it at the end of the season when we end up in tenth place.
lovely message. he should turn up a bit more often and lead from the front.
It always amazes me how people can find negativity.
The way I read it is he is prepared to spend again in the window. What more do people want?
He's obviously happy owning our club, and I for one like him! He has spent big, we have the riverside project on the go! He has put his money where his mouth is so far!
Happy Christmas mr chairman!
Quote from: bill taylors apprentice on December 23, 2018, 10:52:37 AM
I wish he'd stop saying things like how grateful and "honoured" he is and what a privilege it is to be "serving as your Chairman"
I'm happy we have a decent owner but its his money that bought him the right to be in control, nobody voted him in and he's not working for you and me or doing this as a duty!
Have you ever considered that maybe he is. I remember MAF saying words like that, did you have those thoughts about him?
Quote from: nose on December 23, 2018, 02:29:57 PM
lovely message. he should turn up a bit more often and lead from the front.
He lives in America, not down the road in Surrey
Quote from: Fulham1959 on December 23, 2018, 01:11:20 PM
Quote from: Woolly Mammoth on December 23, 2018, 12:23:31 PM
Quote from: Fulham1959 on December 23, 2018, 11:55:29 AM
Oh, the cynicism !
FWIW, I like the man (and his millions). Would we all rather not have a very rich owner ?
I would rather have a rich Association Footballing owner who does not give his son a key role at Fulham FC his son is not qualified to be responsible for.
Did/do we have the luxury of such a choice ?
No I am afraid we did not unfortunately, nevertheless I can still wish. As for his sons roll in all this. That is one of a number of errors of judgement the owner has made so far, and too many for comfort.
Has to be the best 051 in the Premiership. Hope he and you lot have a good Christmas too.
Poor bloke can't win with some of our fans ( can't call them SUPPORTERS ) , he is crucified for NOT communicating and FOR communicating . COYW
Nice message and he aint Earnie Clay which is a real bonus.
Khan could donate a £ million to homeless charities, find a cure for cancer, give every ST holder a free ticket and some on here would find fault.
Can't you guys give it a rest for Christmas at least?
He seems confident we will get out of this. The Newcastle performance gave me a lot of confidence. I think we have the right manager now.
Thank you Mr Khan, Merry Christmas to you to. Fulham Football Club may be his "train set" but I'm happy with him.
Quote from: Slaphead in Qatar on December 23, 2018, 03:41:06 PM
He seems confident we will get out of this. The Newcastle performance gave me a lot of confidence. I think we have the right manager now.
I felt he made some positive comments about recruitment. Reason to be hopeful.
As to his message, I take it at face value. I've commented in the past that he doesn't seem to communicate that much so I'm not going to criticise him when he does.
Nice message and sounds like he's prepared to give Ranieri the financial backing he needs in the January window which can only be good news for us
Quote from: bill taylors apprentice on December 23, 2018, 10:52:37 AM
I wish he'd stop saying things like how grateful and "honoured" he is and what a privilege it is to be "serving as your Chairman"
I'm happy we have a decent owner but its his money that bought him the right to be in control, nobody voted him in and he's not working for you and me or doing this as a duty!
Wow.
Excellent message from our genuine and sincere Chairman.
COYW
you've only got to go and watch a few episodes of "Sunderland til I die" to understand we've got a good owner here. Hints at money being spent in the window which is welcome.
Only surprise is that he didn't mention the Riverside Stand.
Quote from: filham on December 23, 2018, 11:34:01 AM
Well this chairman is prepared to put his money where his mouth is that is for sure, just a shame that he gives his son the freedom to see how it is spent.
That sounds most ungrateful but I am really upset about that wasted £100m spent in the summer. We have never seen spending on that scale at Fulham before.
And we haven't often seen us bottom of a league after promotion the previous season, so super spending doesn't work!!!!
Quote from: The Old Count on December 23, 2018, 05:29:33 PM
Excellent message from our genuine and sincere Chairman.
COYW
I am now suffering from nausea, normally I can contain my motions and emotions, but your posting is the funniest and I hope intended as the most sarcastic posting I have seen this season! Hope you have sent him a Christmas Card and the latest copy of Football Manager or whatever that game is advertised as these days, or better still a book on how to recruit a football scout, I had better stop here, I do appreciate that he has no value of money when it comes to investing in players. Hopefully the next 100m will produce a return on his investment!
Proof is in the (Christmas?) pudding. See you in May, Shahid.
COYW 049:gif
Nausea?
Just stop at least for Christmas for God's sake
Get back to your cynical ways after January 1st and try to enjoy yourself in the meantime
I tell you what, if I had spent the sort of money he has on our club and I got some of these messages I would think to myself, why the hell do i bother.
We have some strange fans ! But I guess that's what makes the world go round eh.
Happy Christmas everyone incl our owner and son.
I think Claudio will get what he wants, without interference from son Tony, in the transfer window. If that happens, I'll be over the moon. Meanwhile, he's never shied away from opening his wallet, he doesn't have MAF's ego and need of approval/acceptance. So what if he's not at more of the games. He's talks straight, he hasn't fibbed or equivocated. And he doesn't have to rob Peter to pay Paul. No weird belief system. No Michael Jackson statues. Doesn't pick fights with former managers. Has brought no embarrassment or shade to the club. My take-away from his season's greeting is 'we'll right the ship' and 'Claudio will have what he wants". Nothing else. Been a hard year for him. The Jacksonville Jaguars came within a play or two of making it to the NFL Super Bowl (the finals) last season. But this season it's been loss after loss. Key players injured. A quarterback who underperformed. The bully/swagger mentality of last year in the team nowhere to be seen this season. Add to that Fulham's woes right after promotion. In spite of all that, not hanging his head. No moaning. All upbeat and a proclamation of financial support--adequate financial support to get the manager what the manager thinks he needs to thrive in the league. What more could he say to make anyone any happier, reading a message from 'your Chairman'?
The moaners on this thread deserve Mike Ashley.
A very nice touch from the big boss .
Quote from: bobbo on December 23, 2018, 11:33:30 PM
The moaners on this thread deserve Mike Ashley.
A very nice touch from the big boss .
Real. Lucky to have him.
Quote from: @jolslover on December 23, 2018, 11:48:52 PM
Quote from: bobbo on December 23, 2018, 11:33:30 PM
The moaners on this thread deserve Mike Ashley.
A very nice touch from the big boss .
Real. Lucky to have him.
Haters will hate. As someone says below some would prefer Ashley. Maybe some should start a crowdfund to see if they can raise the few hundred million it would take to buy him out?
Quote from: TerryR on December 23, 2018, 10:53:28 PM
Nausea?
Just stop at least for Christmas for God's sake
Get back to your cynical ways after January 1st and try to enjoy yourself in the meantime
lol, will try to do that, you too enjoy the festive break and maybe 6 points. After thought, I have never been called cynical before, but yes I suppose reading some of my postings you could form that judgement, no offence taken! :merry christmas:
I think our owner is a very decent bloke. He strikes me as principled and genuine. He and his son may have made some mistakes but in my view we are lucky to have a man like Shad Khan who respects the heritage of FFC rather than many of the owners that have screwed up the clubs they have bought.
I have no strong views about this message. It's like a Christmas card - a cheap, easy, basic courtesy. Nothing special but certainly nothing to moan about.
The chairman generally has shown his heart is in the right place with investment in the training ground and promised (although still not delivered) for the Riverside stand. But equally, over 5 years I think it irrefutable that he lacks competence, and has refused to implement the most obvious solution to that problem, which would be delegating management of the club to someone with relevant knowledge and experience, rather than his son.
I'm also sceptical as to how much of the "£100m" spent this summer came from his pocket. He has no doubt put some money into the club over the last 5 years but the vast majority of our transfer spending, including this summer's, has still come from the club's revenues and player sale, not the chairman.
Also don't see the point in the Mike Ashley comments. For every chairman like Ashley that's worse than Khan, there are plenty that are better. It's like saying we cannot moan about Timothy Fosu-Mensah because somewhere out there, there is a right back that's even worse than TFM.
The most important qualities in an owner for me are:
1) Respect our heritage.
2) Provide the necessary funds.
3) Hire the best possible staff to run the club.
and my ratings so far would be:
1) Excellent!
2) Very good, considering FFP.
3) :022: ???
Number 3 is debatable.