How long have most of the people on this board actually supported the club? The amount of hyperbole to the Dembele situation tells me not very long indeed, maybe since the Europa final or something.
People talking about the shame of the club, ripping off of the club, lack of ambition.
Not so long ago we were nearly knocked out of the footballing league, and anybody who has supported fulham as they have gone up the divisions would be pretty god damn delighted with our current situation.
Selling a player to help finance the development of a stand which will bring in stable revenue and expand the size of the club, seems like a pretty outstanding long term trade off to me.
There is such short termism and ignorance on here, and it can only be the result of people supporting to club expecting it to be bigger than it is - lacking perspective. Those culpable really need to reassess their posts and attitudes, or go and support a club that will compete for champions league places.
Football is something of a foodchain, and we are punching remarkably above our weight to be where we want to be.
I for one am glad at how well the club is run, and that we are sustaining ourselves for the long term future - as opposed to spending money we don't have, and can't recuperate for one day's newspaper headlines, or one day's banter.
WAKE UP
I've been a "Follower" for 4 1/2 years...
will only consider myself a "Supporter" once I've reached 5 years of dodgy stream-watching, a gazillion viruses on my laptop, & a multitude of coffee stains on my Fulahm shirt from cheering their goals!
We've got two 1/2 days to get some guys in...Keep Calm & Carry On!
Excellent post ....
Born in 1968.. first game 1976.... last game...... when they put me 6 foot under.... FTID..
should clarify there is nothing wrong with being new to supporting the club, and there is no privilege in having supported them for longer - but the awareness of the wider perspective is imperative!
I agree with you Hopper.I`ve supported Fulham for 44 years,and i remember the outcry when we sold Tony Gale and Gordon Davies.Let`s hope we get a few players in before Saturday.FTID.
This will mark my sixth season since I picked up the Fulham bug but I concur. I can't see how people are so shocked and put out. Moussa did what he always said he was going to and the club have made a profit. Time to bring in some reinforcements and move forward. Since we all seem to think Moussa is special it shouldn't be a shock when we don't get like for like with whoever comeso
I'm fairly new to FFC, 2004 and I believe I have found a home and strongly believe that on this date, the anniversery of the great Dr. King's "I Have a Dream" speech that someday will be accepted and not relegated to the lesser board with the rest of the non or no longer English.
079.gif
Born 66 first game 69(fell asleep) taken on and off by my dad over the next nine years until I fell in love with football and fulham.
Stoke@home sept 1978. 2-0 win and that was that. Been trying to leave ever since.
Well said Hooper.
1958.
Born and raised in fulham (parents still live off Munster Rd). First game was 1988, first season ticket was 1994 and have been ever since
Quote from: hopper on August 29, 2012, 06:25:00 PM
should clarify there is nothing wrong with being new to supporting the club, and there is no privilege in having supported them for longer - but the awareness of the wider perspective is imperative!
being a fan from the 80s, i can confirm that there was indeed no such privilege of being a fan for longer. infact some memories of those games still haunt me
Great post.....Ive followed Fulham for 32years ever since my dad took me to me first game when I was 8years old.
been going to the cottage now for about 28 years, seen them come, seen them go, here we still are...
first match fulham v man city 4-1 home win in november 1966
And michael jackson went once and they built a statue of him. pmsl... Been following Fulham since early 80's. First game i went to at cottage was 1998.
Supporter since my Dad first took me in 1954. Now a 120 mile round trip so I don't go very often but watch almost every game on my laptop.
first game 1958 - i still haven't got over 'em selling mullery!
wow, there are some Fulham geezers on this board! :dft012:
I've been following them since a month before Sanchez got the sack and been loving every minute of it. :scarf:
Quote from: hopper on August 29, 2012, 06:13:54 PM
How long have most of the people on this board actually supported the club? The amount of hyperbole to the Dembele situation tells me not very long indeed, maybe since the Europa final or something.
People talking about the shame of the club, ripping off of the club, lack of ambition.
Not so long ago we were nearly knocked out of the footballing league, and anybody who has supported fulham as they have gone up the divisions would be pretty god damn delighted with our current situation.
Selling a player to help finance the development of a stand which will bring in stable revenue and expand the size of the club, seems like a pretty outstanding long term trade off to me.
There is such short termism and ignorance on here, and it can only be the result of people supporting to club expecting it to be bigger than it is - lacking perspective. Those culpable really need to reassess their posts and attitudes, or go and support a club that will compete for champions league places.
Football is something of a foodchain, and we are punching remarkably above our weight to be where we want to be.
I for one am glad at how well the club is run, and that we are sustaining ourselves for the long term future - as opposed to spending money we don't have, and can't recuperate for one day's newspaper headlines, or one day's banter.
WAKE UP
It's just a bunch of people venting frustrations about a topic that's dear to them and amongst others who care about and understand the same thing. Some of us, myself included, only have you fine people to share our opinions with. Some of us live in places where we're lucky to find another PL fan to watch games with, myself (I've found exactly 1 so far) included. If they don't have the perspective you want them to have, so what. It's their club as much as it is yours, no matter how long or how they've supported it.
I hope you'll keep some of that in mind when you tell them what opinions they should and shouldn't express or how strongly they should feel about them.
Personally I hope, if I voice an unpopular opinion here from time to time, that no one comes along to suggest that I should go and support another club.
I came over on the good ship McBride by the way. My perspective grew from that moment on. It's not at all a failing on my part that I don't have experiences prior to that.
So, now you've been on your soapbox. I've been on mine. :59:
COYW! :scarf:
Quote from: ToodlesMcToot on August 29, 2012, 07:19:35 PM
Quote from: hopper on August 29, 2012, 06:13:54 PM
How long have most of the people on this board actually supported the club? The amount of hyperbole to the Dembele situation tells me not very long indeed, maybe since the Europa final or something.
People talking about the shame of the club, ripping off of the club, lack of ambition.
Not so long ago we were nearly knocked out of the footballing league, and anybody who has supported fulham as they have gone up the divisions would be pretty god damn delighted with our current situation.
Selling a player to help finance the development of a stand which will bring in stable revenue and expand the size of the club, seems like a pretty outstanding long term trade off to me.
There is such short termism and ignorance on here, and it can only be the result of people supporting to club expecting it to be bigger than it is - lacking perspective. Those culpable really need to reassess their posts and attitudes, or go and support a club that will compete for champions league places.
Football is something of a foodchain, and we are punching remarkably above our weight to be where we want to be.
I for one am glad at how well the club is run, and that we are sustaining ourselves for the long term future - as opposed to spending money we don't have, and can't recuperate for one day's newspaper headlines, or one day's banter.
WAKE UP
It's just a bunch of people venting frustrations about a topic that's dear to them and amongst others who care about and understand the same thing. Some of us, myself included, only have you fine people to share our opinions with. Some of us live in places where we're lucky to find another PL fan to watch games with, myself (I've found exactly 1 so far) included. If they don't have the perspective you want them to have, so what. It's their club as much as it is yours, no matter how long or how they've supported it.
I hope you'll keep some of that in mind when you tell them what opinions they should and shouldn't express or how strongly they should feel about them.
Personally I hope, if I voice an unpopular opinion here from time to time, that no one comes along to suggest that I should go and support another club.
I came over on the good ship McBride by the way. My perspective grew from that moment on. It's not at all a failing on my part that I don't have experiences prior to that.
So, now you've been on your soapbox. I've been on mine. :59:
COYW! :scarf:
Toodles, I went on to post that there is no superiority in supporting a club for longer.
I maintain though, that awareness of this perspective is important. The people that run the club deserve credit for great achievement, I'm not being fascist - I'm just speaking out against brattishness. I will not repudiate any of that if you took offence.
'67 with me pa who is still a season ticket holder along with me bruv. Unfortunately, I am not a st holder any longer due to living in P'Boro but do go as often as I can.
Since i was 8 in 1960, watched us in danger of going out of the league and all the way to the europa final. Since maf took over i have seen great things,beating juve at the cottage fpr gods sake. A lot of you critcising here have no idea of the dark days,enjoy an established premier league club, yes they can drive you mad at times but that is fulham.
Im 21, this is my 11th season following fulham... Noone in my family supported them. Just licked it off the stones as they'd say!
It's been an emotional roller coaster of 11 years.. This is why I love fulham though
Quote from: RidgeRider on August 29, 2012, 07:15:37 PM
wow, there are some Fulham geezers on this board! :dft012:
I've been following them since a month before Sanchez got the sack and been loving every minute of it. :scarf:
wow. you must be a real sucker for punishment . what on gods earth attracted you to us in that chapter of our history. they were some desperate times
Since my dad first took me. Was too young too remember my first game which saddens me.
First game March 10th 1973 against Carlise won 1-0, Mitchell scored and a great save from Mellor just under 10,000 watching.
:scarf:
Quote from: fulhamben on August 29, 2012, 07:30:29 PM
Quote from: RidgeRider on August 29, 2012, 07:15:37 PM
wow, there are some Fulham geezers on this board! :dft012:
I've been following them since a month before Sanchez got the sack and been loving every minute of it. :scarf:
wow. you must be a real sucker for punishment . what on gods earth attracted you to us in that chapter of our history. they were some desperate times
Strange I know. Basically it came down to the Cottage, it being the oldest club in London (so history was a factor), and I liked the fact that the team wasn't at the top. I must say I was VERY naive and had no idea Sanchez was so bad but it didn't take long to see the team was playing like crap even though I knew just a smidge about the game. I remember thinking that the draws were like wins back then and how out matched we seemed to be each week.....and then our savior came, and I knew I had picked the right club.
10 years. I'm pretty sure it was Blackburn at home in 2002. From then on I was hooked.
Quote from: hopper on August 29, 2012, 07:23:36 PM
Quote from: ToodlesMcToot on August 29, 2012, 07:19:35 PM
Quote from: hopper on August 29, 2012, 06:13:54 PM
How long have most of the people on this board actually supported the club? The amount of hyperbole to the Dembele situation tells me not very long indeed, maybe since the Europa final or something.
People talking about the shame of the club, ripping off of the club, lack of ambition.
Not so long ago we were nearly knocked out of the footballing league, and anybody who has supported fulham as they have gone up the divisions would be pretty god damn delighted with our current situation.
Selling a player to help finance the development of a stand which will bring in stable revenue and expand the size of the club, seems like a pretty outstanding long term trade off to me.
There is such short termism and ignorance on here, and it can only be the result of people supporting to club expecting it to be bigger than it is - lacking perspective. Those culpable really need to reassess their posts and attitudes, or go and support a club that will compete for champions league places.
Football is something of a foodchain, and we are punching remarkably above our weight to be where we want to be.
I for one am glad at how well the club is run, and that we are sustaining ourselves for the long term future - as opposed to spending money we don't have, and can't recuperate for one day's newspaper headlines, or one day's banter.
WAKE UP
It's just a bunch of people venting frustrations about a topic that's dear to them and amongst others who care about and understand the same thing. Some of us, myself included, only have you fine people to share our opinions with. Some of us live in places where we're lucky to find another PL fan to watch games with, myself (I've found exactly 1 so far) included. If they don't have the perspective you want them to have, so what. It's their club as much as it is yours, no matter how long or how they've supported it.
I hope you'll keep some of that in mind when you tell them what opinions they should and shouldn't express or how strongly they should feel about them.
Personally I hope, if I voice an unpopular opinion here from time to time, that no one comes along to suggest that I should go and support another club.
I came over on the good ship McBride by the way. My perspective grew from that moment on. It's not at all a failing on my part that I don't have experiences prior to that.
So, now you've been on your soapbox. I've been on mine. :59:
COYW! :scarf:
Toodles, I went on to post that there is no superiority in supporting a club for longer.
I maintain though, that awareness of this perspective is important. The people that run the club deserve credit for great achievement, I'm not being fascist - I'm just speaking out against brattishness. I will not repudiate any of that if you took offence.
Hopper, I read your subsequent post. I agree about having a broader perspective and feel everyone will either get that or not in their own way. Hopefully, they'll all remain Fulham supporters rather than follow the suggestion to move along.
Born in 93, first game when I was about 5-6 against Wrexham, Brevett got sent off and we drew 1-1, so I guess that makes it nearly 15 years now. Class players have come and gone, but they'll never take Fulham from us.
ah, there's nothing so refreshing as a "them and us" thread -- sometimes called "a proper supporter and not" thread.
Born in 87. First games i remember were with Mick conroy, nick cusack, duncan jupp, robbie herarra, paul moody etc back in the old division 3. Been a season ticket holder since 1997. Fulham through and through. 3rd generation and this is such a special club.
I have to pinch myself every day at how far we have come, no other club has done this and i cant believe it happened to us. If we could go back in time and people saw the old battered craven cottage with 4,000 crowds it would shock some people.
Cant wait for the new stand.....onwards and upwards.
:035:My first game was in 1961, Fulham v Blackpool, the late great Stanley Mathews, don't go now as I am disabled, but still love the club, however bit worried about this season COYW
Born in Putney in 1966, and been following the club through good times and bad since 1974.
Quote from: HatterDon on August 29, 2012, 08:15:31 PM
ah, there's nothing so refreshing as a "them and us" thread -- sometimes called "a proper supporter and not" thread.
Feels so warm and cozy here when these come along.
Quote from: HatterDon on August 29, 2012, 08:15:31 PM
ah, there's nothing so refreshing as a "them and us" thread -- sometimes called "a proper supporter and not" thread.
hatterdon, that was not the purpose of the thread.
say your parents had worked hard to improve the standard of life for their children so they went from poverty to living a life of comfort and prosperity, and your children started complaining at their parents for not giving them enough. you would want to try and tell them to avoid narrow mindedness. that's all. I don't care how long someone has supported the club, I just think we should be thankful for where the club is and how well it is being run
Fulham v spuds 1962. It's been a rollercoaster of angst and euphoria (more of the former than the latter) and I wouldn't have missed it for the world. :wine:
Born in 62, first game 2-0 defeat to Blackpool in I think 72
1953/54 season. My dad took me to Chelsea first but I couldn´t see over the wall, so he then took me to Fulham.Thank God for those railings behind the goal at the Cottage end (the old home end)
How long will this survey take to determine that all the bad seeds having a go at the club are indeed all short timers?
085.gif
Quote from: HatterDon on August 29, 2012, 08:15:31 PM
ah, there's nothing so refreshing as a "them and us" thread -- sometimes called "a proper supporter and not" thread.
Where do you get the "them and us" schtick from? I would make Hopper right in most respects.
Quote from: hopper on August 29, 2012, 08:40:29 PM
Quote from: HatterDon on August 29, 2012, 08:15:31 PM
ah, there's nothing so refreshing as a "them and us" thread -- sometimes called "a proper supporter and not" thread.
hatterdon, that was not the purpose of the thread.
say your parents had worked hard to improve the standard of life for their children so they went from poverty to living a life of comfort and prosperity, and your children started complaining at their parents for not giving them enough. you would want to try and tell them to avoid narrow mindedness. that's all. I don't care how long someone has supported the club, I just think we should be thankful for where the club is and how well it is being run
It's OK Hopper, Don-boy doesn't see the biggah pitcher is all.....
Since 1963
You can't help your age but youngsters can't know what really bad times are like!
Born 55 and started in '62. I have had a season ticket every season, same seat, save for loftus road obviously when we were put where we were put. Dad(RIP), wife, kids all support, they had no choice.
Moose leaving isn't the end of the world, there has been worse, Bulstrode for instance, but it was prettty dispiriting. Football isn't as good as it was, there is no doubt there is a gulf between players and supporters now.
A win at west ham and all will be right with the word again!
I start in 2013 I think,
Nogood "but I prefer to be known as a leader and a follower than a supporter of athletic endeavours, itis" boyo
Oh dear, here we go again..
Nogood "top the page, top the page, top the page, top the page, top the page, top the pa-age...again,. isit" Boyo
Quote from: hopper on August 29, 2012, 06:13:54 PM
How long have most of the people on this board actually supported the club? The amount of hyperbole to the Dembele situation tells me not very long indeed, maybe since the Europa final or something.
People talking about the shame of the club, ripping off of the club, lack of ambition.
Not so long ago we were nearly knocked out of the footballing league, and anybody who has supported fulham as they have gone up the divisions would be pretty god damn delighted with our current situation.
Selling a player to help finance the development of a stand which will bring in stable revenue and expand the size of the club, seems like a pretty outstanding long term trade off to me.
There is such short termism and ignorance on here, and it can only be the result of people supporting to club expecting it to be bigger than it is - lacking perspective. Those culpable really need to reassess their posts and attitudes, or go and support a club that will compete for champions league places.
Football is something of a foodchain, and we are punching remarkably above our weight to be where we want to be.
I for one am glad at how well the club is run, and that we are sustaining ourselves for the long term future - as opposed to spending money we don't have, and can't recuperate for one day's newspaper headlines, or one day's banter.
WAKE UP
BRAVO
Right you lot – pin back ya lug holes and listen to this small chunk of Fulham supporting history.
My first game 1957
But this relates to my old Dad who was born in 1904 and attended his first game in 1909. Only twelve years after FFC's first ever league game
The old man was a decent player himself in the nineteen twenties and played for his regiment The 10th Royal Hussars and The British Army.
Already a committed supporter he could not help recommending his team mate Johnny Price to the club.
Johnny joined Fulham in 1928 and was still assistant secretary at Fulham in the early sixties!!
Fulham FC is in my families DNA and therefore we take a very long term view.....
So spend spend spend MAF and never worry about the future we have a spare room.
Quote from: nose on August 29, 2012, 10:04:36 PM
You can't help your age but youngsters can't know what really bad times are like!
Born 55 and started in '62. I have had a season ticket every season, same seat, save for loftus road obviously when we were put where we were put. Dad(RIP), wife, kids all support, they had no choice.
Moose leaving isn't the end of the world, there has been worse, Bulstrode for instance, but it was prettty dispiriting. Football isn't as good as it was, there is no doubt there is a gulf between players and supporters now.
A win at west ham and all will be right with the word again!
Amen to that said the Rev Tom :005:
i have seen older fans complain just as i have seen younger fans behave very rationally. when you have began supporting is largely irrelevant
So many youngsters on this thread. I'm really 092.gif (born in '35) and couldn't tell you which was my first match. My dad had no interest in football, so started going to Fulham in my early teens with friends. Looking at old team sheets I reckon it was 1949, as that is when all the players names are familiar to me. I went fairly regularly until I moved to the South coast in '62, married, had a family, and always worked Saturdays. I would always read the scant news I could find in the newspapers and, of course, look for the results as soon as possible on matchdays, but only saw a handful of matches live for many years. Then came MAF, Sky and message boards like this and my enthusiasm was well and truly rekindled. One birthday my two sons' surprised me with the present of a trip to Loftus Road and, of all matches, it was the classic 3-2 win over Spurs! I now get up to the Cottage for a few matches every season (it's a shame the club don't do the half season tickets any more, they were ideal) and will be coming up for the Everton game with both sons and grandson, all of whom I have recruited to the Fulham family. It's sad we won't see Mousa :012: but perhaps Berbatov :scarf:
Been a fan since 1997 when a friend on my Dad's took me to a Fulham game when I was 8 years old. At the time I supported Man U as I was too young to know otherwise. From then on I was hooked on the club :)
Quote from: alexbishop on August 29, 2012, 11:01:31 PM
Been a fan since 1997 when a friend on my Dad's took me to a Fulham game when I was 8 years old. At the time I supported Man U as I was too young to know otherwise. From then on I was hooked on the club :)
like for like, 1997 v Cambridge when I was 7 - had supported Man U up til that point!
Quote from: hopper on August 29, 2012, 11:04:54 PM
Quote from: alexbishop on August 29, 2012, 11:01:31 PM
Been a fan since 1997 when a friend on my Dad's took me to a Fulham game when I was 8 years old. At the time I supported Man U as I was too young to know otherwise. From then on I was hooked on the club :)
like for like, 1997 v Cambridge when I was 7 - had supported Man U up til that point!
Impressed you remember the opposition, I can't for the life of me. I remember meeting Al Fayed and Kevin Keegan though.
Since I was nine years old and watched Boa, Bazza and Saha tear Division One apart.
First game 1974 versus Swindon at home we won 4-1.
Quote from: alexbishop on August 29, 2012, 11:06:53 PM
Quote from: hopper on August 29, 2012, 11:04:54 PM
Quote from: alexbishop on August 29, 2012, 11:01:31 PM
Been a fan since 1997 when a friend on my Dad's took me to a Fulham game when I was 8 years old. At the time I supported Man U as I was too young to know otherwise. From then on I was hooked on the club :)
like for like, 1997 v Cambridge when I was 7 - had supported Man U up til that point!
Impressed you remember the opposition, I can't for the life of me. I remember meeting Al Fayed and Kevin Keegan though.
I think I remember, could always be wrong though! I remember it was on the terraces at the hammy end - evening kick off. Finished 1-0. I really started getting going that season where we blitzed div 2 with Horsefield and Keegan. Hazy memories though now
Cookie & I got here at the same time in 2003.
I am a level-headed Merican. I root for the badge, not the name on the back.
Born 66, first game 82.
It was a choice of Fulham or Blue Poo.
I chose the Cottage cos my mate was a white
and the other ground in Fulham was a load of sh1te
Laughter one week, tears the next
and Ernie Clay got me quite vexed
Players come and go, they always will
either too good for us or 'over the hill'
But we're always here, the Fulham fans
we are the Club, the future, the plans.
1979
Quote from: keith on August 29, 2012, 06:26:45 PM
I agree with you Hopper.I`ve supported Fulham for 44 years,and i remember the outcry when we sold Tony Gale and Gordon Davies.Let`s hope we get a few players in before Saturday.FTID.
What about when we sold Paul Parker and Dean Coney? I know i cried..
Only a new blood I am so may be labelled 'johnny come lately' or 'tourist' until I have a couple of seasons under my belt which is understandable. Second season as an STH. Planes, trains and automobiles literally to get to each home match from Dublin. Hope to be in it for the long haul though. Trying to convert my Dad and brother at home and best friend living in Ealing to the Fulham way (first two are easy, the third an Everton fan !). Suppose the reason I live for each match day is three fold: the fans are like no other; the Irish connection of the players and the area; and the fighting never say die take on anybody attitude that the team has. Hoping they carry that into some more away games this season, like last season was at Liverpool away what a day and at Everton away what a dreadful day. Yet to experience the extreme lows like those heard from older supporters so am quite positive and hope to remain that way. COYW.
First game in 1977 against Spuds in the old 2nd Div, however didn't become a 'convert' until 1980. Having moved to the UK from the ROI I followed the 'big' clubs, in my case Arsenal, however my English Fulham supporting cousins soon put me right.. So put me down as 32 years..
My Dad brought me to the Cottage as a child for my first game in February/March 1962. So, although I'm still in my fifties this year marks the fiftieth anniversary of my support for Fulham. I've ben a season ticket holder since 1979.
Sarcasm is the lowest form of wit. Sorry
Hi there. I don't want to sound patronising. But all this fuss and bother about only having two forwards and three wide players, two of whom are kids and having only one creative midfielder. With less than 48 hours to go until the windows shatters shut along with our hopes and dreams. Well all this is coming from the newer fans some of whom are actually not English. They don't know what it was like at Doncaster on a wet weekend. Or Stockport on a wet Tuesday Evening following the Fulham. Or turning up at home to Darlington and being told by the Police to park closer to the ground as only two other fans and a ferret from the away team had turned up. We true fans and by that I don't mean to be rude about the new fly by nights lets follow some American rap artiste type of fan. No us true fans are used to being sad and broken.
So not to be patronising as I tap the head of all these panicky child like new fans. Some of whom may even be American. But really some of you had an idea that we were an established Prem side hoping for the same exciting football as we have been used to. But really how stupid can you be? I have been to Bury twice and I can tell you that all the hope of not fighting relegation was a spot of Tosh Chamberlain. That is an inside joke for my fellow real fans. Not that I wish to be patronising in any way to the new people of no fixed abode. So be on your way and take your modern ideas with you. We are FULHAM UNTIL WE DIE. WE ARE REAL FANS. WE HAVE NO AMBITION.
No offence meant to anybody.
Hopper.
Anyone who implies or directly states that one should "go and support" a different club because they have a different perspective needs to reassess the tone of their own post and their own attitude and their own culpability instead of lecturing others. Having a different opinion does not ipso facto indicate a lack of perspective. I don't know if you intended to sound so hostile or superior but that's how I took it. I think one can appreciate how far the club has come and still recognize a series of boneheaded moves when they see it. You are entitled to think differently as well.
First game when Dad took me in 1952 - he had been a supporter since 1928 when he used to climb into the ground from Bishop's Park. We lived near Hurlingham Park and used to go FFC one week and Stamford Bridge the next. I was Treasurer of the old Cottagers Club and have seen well over a thousand matches (plus all those reserve games in the 60s when I used to bunk off school games on a Wednesday to go to the Cottage!). Lived in Australia for last six years since when have seen over 90% of FFC games live on TV. Proudest Fulham moment? The Maestro as guest of honour at my 60th birthday party.
So, all you Johnny-come-latelys who have only known success under Fayed, I have been there before. Great days in the old Division 2 - don't forget we were promoted before Liverpool! The old First Division, Haynes, Robson, Jezzard, Marsh, Mullery, Clarke etc etc. I have seen misery in the depths of the lower leagues and I have seen sunshine again.
Fulham - the little team by the Thames - our Fulham. It is bigger than the Deans, the Trinders, the Millers and the Fayeds. It is ours and it always will be. The fans, week by week, have contributed more both financially and emotionally to the Club than any temporary owner is ever likely to contribute. It is the players and the fans that count. The character, comedic at times, that we possess, the essential Fulhamish, that's what makes me Fulham 'till I die.
Quote from: LordNelson on August 30, 2012, 01:01:56 AM
Hopper.
Anyone who implies or directly states that one should "go and support" a different club because they have a different perspective needs to reassess the tone of their own post and their own attitude and their own culpability instead of lecturing others. Having a different opinion does not ipso facto indicate a lack of perspective. I don't know if you intended to sound so hostile or superior but that's how I took it. I think one can appreciate how far the club has come and still recognize a series of boneheaded moves when they see it. You are entitled to think differently as well.
My point is that the comments made about the ambition the club would need to demonstrate in order to satisfy these people is only possible with different clubs (CL teams), if you catch my drift.
As for deconstructing what I said onto myself, well that could be reversed again ad infinitum - not least onto your post. The games of language. But anyway, of course I'm not some Fulham fascist - trying to cut away all the 'unworthy', I - like a few others are just a bit upset to see a lack of respect that I feel the people who the run club are owed.
Which moves do you consider boneheaded?
Anyway, enough of one upmanship detracting from a wider discussion. It's so nice to see everyone post about their history with the club
Quote from: Scrumpy on August 29, 2012, 11:37:39 PM
Born 66, first game 82.
It was a choice of Fulham or Blue Poo.
I chose the Cottage cos my mate was a white
and the other ground in Fulham was a load of sh1te
Laughter one week, tears the next
and Ernie Clay got me quite vexed
Players come and go, they always will
either too good for us or 'over the hill'
But we're always here, the Fulham fans
we are the Club, the future, the plans.
:clap_hands:
Born and bred Lillie Road '58, first game '64, I may have physically wandered the globe, but my heart is firmly stuck in the Hammy End, bleeds Fulham, and always will do.
000en.gif starsnstripes
Quote from: HatterDon on August 29, 2012, 08:15:31 PM
ah, there's nothing so refreshing as a "them and us" thread -- sometimes called "a proper supporter and not" thread.
Spoken like one of us here ol' timers (mebbe a little younger than some tho').
We're all still here with you Don 092.gif 065.gif
I'm in from just before the Great Escape season. Radz (fellow Canuck!!!), Volzy, McGod, Boca...what a strange team...and we complain now!? :P
So yes, I'm a newbie and to some perhaps, a fake fan. I say psshaw! I'm not brushed up on the history of the game. I'm not even THAT brushed up on football from the 90's as Fulham are really the first and only club I ever followed as a new fan of the sport. As a Canadian, I always say "soccer" as a sissy sport and thought it ridiculous that a sport didn't allow for players to touch the ball with their hands (WHAT HERESY IS THIS?!). That being said I think in this short period of time I've developed a good eye for the game and have a good knowledge of players around Europe and other decent leagues around the world. I'm hoping to prove to this board that a recent fan (a Canadian at that) can talk shop with most of you lot. I may not have followed them up, but I'm willing to (let's hope it never happens) follow them down too. I'm no front runner.
I'm a changed man. I've seen the light. I've seen the Whites.
15 years... I became a Fulham fan later in life, much more fun.
1962 v Stoke
Quote from: Lighthouse on August 30, 2012, 12:56:54 AM
Sarcasm is the lowest form of wit. Sorry
Hi there. I don't want to sound patronising. But all this fuss and bother about only having two forwards and three wide players, two of whom are kids and having only one creative midfielder. With less than 48 hours to go until the windows shatters shut along with our hopes and dreams. Well all this is coming from the newer fans some of whom are actually not English. They don't know what it was like at Doncaster on a wet weekend. Or Stockport on a wet Tuesday Evening following the Fulham. Or turning up at home to Darlington and being told by the Police to park closer to the ground as only two other fans and a ferret from the away team had turned up. We true fans and by that I don't mean to be rude about the new fly by nights lets follow some American rap artiste type of fan. No us true fans are used to being sad and broken.
So not to be patronising as I tap the head of all these panicky child like new fans. Some of whom may even be American. But really some of you had an idea that we were an established Prem side hoping for the same exciting football as we have been used to. But really how stupid can you be? I have been to Bury twice and I can tell you that all the hope of not fighting relegation was a spot of Tosh Chamberlain. That is an inside joke for my fellow real fans. Not that I wish to be patronising in any way to the new people of no fixed abode. So be on your way and take your modern ideas with you. We are FULHAM UNTIL WE DIE. WE ARE REAL FANS. WE HAVE NO AMBITION.
No offence meant to anybody.
Beauty, Beamer, beauty!
The tendency for kids choosing a club is to go for one of the "big" clubs so they have bragging rights in the playground, particularly if they're not in the local catchment area of a particular club as most of us aren't.
I was born and raised in Dorking and am as guilty as the glory-hunters who now "support" Man U, C*****a, Liverpool etc in that I chose Fulham. Sound odd? Not in 1962 when J. Haynes was England captain. So mea culpa, I'm a glory-hunter.
It was lucky that the club I chose for the wrong reason was actually within travelling distance of where I lived once I was old enough to go by myself to games but by the time I got to my first game we were in the old 3rd and JH had retired. I've followed Fulham ever since through thin and thick (mostly thin) and went to almost every home game until I moved to the South West. It's now easier to go to away games.
I think myself very lucky to have made the accidental choice I did, I couldn't have chosen better, Fulham is unique.
I cycled from Dorking to a lot of games at the Cottage, including, I remember one evening game against Walsall on a dreadful night. I got soaked and after the awful match (1-0, Les Barrett, 89th minute, slid in through the mud) found that my bike had been locked in Bishops Park (I'd put it behind the groundsman's hut) and I got home at 6am, just in time for my paper-round. I had to push my bike from Leatherhead as the wind was so strong and I was too knackered to ride any more. It's not quite Doncaster with a ferret, Mr Lighthouse but will it do?
My family took me to my first game when I was 7 and I have never looked back since then, 10 nearly 11 years on
Quote from: hopper on August 29, 2012, 06:13:54 PM
How long have most of the people on this board actually supported the club? The amount of hyperbole to the Dembele situation tells me not very long indeed, maybe since the Europa final or something.
People talking about the shame of the club, ripping off of the club, lack of ambition.
Not so long ago we were nearly knocked out of the footballing league, and anybody who has supported fulham as they have gone up the divisions would be pretty god damn delighted with our current situation.
Selling a player to help finance the development of a stand which will bring in stable revenue and expand the size of the club, seems like a pretty outstanding long term trade off to me.
There is such short termism and ignorance on here, and it can only be the result of people supporting to club expecting it to be bigger than it is - lacking perspective. Those culpable really need to reassess their posts and attitudes, or go and support a club that will compete for champions league places.
Football is something of a foodchain, and we are punching remarkably above our weight to be where we want to be.
I for one am glad at how well the club is run, and that we are sustaining ourselves for the long term future - as opposed to spending money we don't have, and can't recuperate for one day's newspaper headlines, or one day's banter.
WAKE UP
Fulham has been my team since 2006 which coincidentally was the first time I ever really followed the sport. As an American, my favorite player at the time was Brian McBride and when I found out what team he played for that became my TEAM. I decided at that time that I was a Fulham FC fan no matter what.
So here we are today, selling high profile players for a high value and over the last few years staying pretty solidly in the top 10 or so. But I remember the lean teams, the barely staying up times.
Now, one thing that continually bothers me is the assumption so many make that because I haven't followed "footie" from the day I was born that I somehow don't understand the love and devotion that a true footie fan shows to his team. That is not true. I'm a faithful sports fan who cheers for some of the most unlucky and lacking teams here in the states. But I've always stuck by them no matter what.
So if we get relegated this year I'll be upset. But it's not going to change how I feel about the club. And when the team comes (probably in two days) when there are no more FulAmerica players I'll go on cheering for the club. There is an ambition here and Jol has a plan and this year, for the first time EVER, I can wear my Fulham shirt out and other footie fans don't immediately tell me how Fulham will be relegated at the end of the season.
Proper post, Mr Justin
Since 2002 (I was 9) and if I remember we finished high that season, fell in love with the quirky ways of the club. First match a year later, and I liked it as even as a ten year old I felt safe, and have ever since (apart from when Shaktar and Roma came to the cottage). Do I know ALL the history - no, I am young and I am overly absorbed by the present and future, but when I am older I will see now as the past and appreciate it, and perhaps wish for it to return. Until then I am a real fan in my opinion, I love the club and commit a lot of time to it, even when it is fairly unjustifiable.
Are the Acquisition and Mergers team on Holiday ???
Failing to spot the AIRFIX's 18 page jobby held at the top
titled : Have we ever Introduce Ourselves isit ??
Shouldn't this errrrrrrrrrrrrrrr beauty be hoisted up there ??
Like Lofty, not being patronizing or nuffing ...............innit ?? :dft012:
Quote from: HatterDon on August 30, 2012, 05:39:03 AM
Quote from: Lighthouse on August 30, 2012, 12:56:54 AM
Sarcasm is the lowest form of wit. Sorry
Hi there. I don't want to sound patronising. But all this fuss and bother about only having two forwards and three wide players, two of whom are kids and having only one creative midfielder. With less than 48 hours to go until the windows shatters shut along with our hopes and dreams. Well all this is coming from the newer fans some of whom are actually not English. They don't know what it was like at Doncaster on a wet weekend. Or Stockport on a wet Tuesday Evening following the Fulham. Or turning up at home to Darlington and being told by the Police to park closer to the ground as only two other fans and a ferret from the away team had turned up. We true fans and by that I don't mean to be rude about the new fly by nights lets follow some American rap artiste type of fan. No us true fans are used to being sad and broken.
So not to be patronising as I tap the head of all these panicky child like new fans. Some of whom may even be American. But really some of you had an idea that we were an established Prem side hoping for the same exciting football as we have been used to. But really how stupid can you be? I have been to Bury twice and I can tell you that all the hope of not fighting relegation was a spot of Tosh Chamberlain. That is an inside joke for my fellow real fans. Not that I wish to be patronising in any way to the new people of no fixed abode. So be on your way and take your modern ideas with you. We are FULHAM UNTIL WE DIE. WE ARE REAL FANS. WE HAVE NO AMBITION.
No offence meant to anybody.
Beauty, Beamer, beauty!
The irony is that we all had to be panicky child like new fans at some stage.
I guess the main differences are:
1. When some of us started out it was in the lower reaches rather than the glamour of the Premier League.
2. Technology advances means that it is far easier to be a "remote" supporter.
3. The nature of the game has changed from local/community/shoestring to global/business/stupid money.
4. Having "seen it all", the longer term Fulham supporter will tend to be more patient and have low(er) expectations.
Since Eddie Lewis signed back in 2000 I guess... A very good mate of mine from high school ended up playing at UCLA with him and whenever I went and visited out there Eddie hung out and chilled with us, great fella so I ended up following his career.... Never made an impact at Fulham but he brought me here and I have been here ever since... through 6 other Americans (I still claim Brede as a Texan... haha) and I will still be here if we don't have anymore. I unlike Hatter Don think we should always be on the look-out for more young talented Americans though. They are often good cheap investments and the idea of Fulhamerica is special to me and should live on.
1st game 1967 v Macclesfield won 4 -2 last game will be when I get my season ticket upstairs (or down below)
First game in 1978 but to be honest have only been serious about FFC since 1999.
I am a toddler fan. Dragged into it by Airfix. First game was the Hamburg Europa League Final
Quote from: sipwell on August 30, 2012, 09:06:59 AM
I am a toddler fan. Dragged into it by Airfix. First game was the Hamburg Europa League Final
That means that you'll be entitled to express an opinion in about 40 years time.
I was first taken with one of my brothers by my Dad, a Reading fan, when we were living in Wimbledon in 1962 (we beat Arsenal 5-2). There are now five of us brothers supporting Fulham - three of us current STHs.
I take the point about those of us who have been through the hard times (my younger daughter's first game was Hartlepool away - and it WASN'T a cup game), but I also welcome the perspective of newer fans. They can remind us that things can always be better, no matter how astonishing the last 11 years might have seemed.
That's why I encourage non-fans to come along to the Cottage... one good day out there and you're hooked for life!
Started supporting this club when I was around 12 or 13 I think, was at my fathers and hadnt even heard of Fulham before, then I saw a match of them from what is now Championship dunno who they played but they hadnt been promoted to PL yet think this was in 97/98 under Keegan times, correct me if im wrong but it was around those years I think ;)
I remember everyone laughed at me when they asked what team I supported cus here in norway most kids in that age, especially the farmland kids, support the bigger clubs like Man U, Liverpool etc etc, allways been a proud supporter from the first time I saw my first match,
Love at first sight! ;);)
Fulham have been my family team since about 1907, maternal grandparents and their parents and other parts of the family living about two to three hundred yards from the ground and I was born and brought up around Fulham Palace Road.
My first game was the famous FA Cup match against Newcastle in January 1956. 4th Round, Saturday 28th January to be precise, k.o. 2.45pm. I can't honestly remember much about the game except the unbelievable air of excitement, the abuse directed at the referee and their centre forward Vic Keeble, and not being able to see too much being dwarfed by all the adults around me. I came to several more games that season and then became a regular next season. There were no floodlights and the only cover was the Stevenage Road (now Haynes) Stand. Within a couple of years or so I was watching the reserves as well as the first team, collecting autographs outside the ground (during school holidays) when players arrived for training (almost always at Craven Cottage) and we sometimes bunked in to watch the training before getting chased out by the groundsman.
In due course, my number two son became, like me an avid Fulham supporter and we travelled home and away as often as that proved possible. However my oldest son. much to my embarrassment and eternal shame, became a glory hunter and somehow or other after going through a few clubs became a Spuds supporter!
For those younger or newer supporters wringing their hands in despair at Dembele's and others departures, things have been much, much worse over time and I am not just talking about Saha, Van de Saar, Malbranque etc. Or the days of the wretched management of Vic Buckingham and the players we lost under him but before him Alan Mullery and even further back Bobby Robson. I daresay even older supporters than me such as the venerable Peabody, Corked Hat, and Bog will have their own memories and disappointments. But they and I have remained Fulham through and through. :scarf:
COYWs!!
Compared to OBS and a number of people on here, I'm a newbie. I've been supporting Fulham since 1963. That's errrm... 49 years.
My first game was Fulham v Liverpool when I was 10 years old.
Living in France now, I only get to 2 or 3 games a year.
First game for me was in 1985 aged 9. My uncle Brian took me to see Fulham get walloped by the filth in the Milk Cup replay. I've loved the club ever since!
first game was a 3-2 win over Blackburn, Ray Houghton scoring the winner. 84 I think?
I realised I was passed the point of no return some years later at Sincil Bank on boxing day, 0-4 in the snow (amongst countess other similar experiences).
Get to 10 games or so a year from Berlin these days, always worth it.
FTID
I wanted to support...
...Spurs, but they were too far away
...Arsenal, but they were too posh
...Orient, but I couldn't find them
...West Ham, but I wasn't hard enough
...Millwall, but I wasn't bigotted enough
...Chelsea, but they found out I had a little bit of style
...Charlton, but I would have been too lonely
...Crystal Palace, but they were 'the team of the 90s' and this was only the 50s.
...Brentford, but I couldn't keep a straight face
I'd never heard of QPR, so I was left with this bunch.
"Looks like I picked the wrong week to give up supporting Fulham."
Born in 1965, My first game was March 25th 1973 against Sunderland lost 2-1, so just starting my 39th year, seen us play away at over 70 grounds around Britain and Europe. FTID - COYW
No matter how long you support Fulham (or most other clubs come to that) you have two feelings at the start of every new season - nervously think we should be alright and avoid relegation but closely followed with the hope and deep rooted belief -usually suppressed and rationalised as daydreaming - that something really special can be achieved with our little club surprising everyone.
After the first two performances some substance was given to the dream, although we all accepted at the start of the summer we would probablylose Dembele we hoped, as it reached the final week we started to think we might keep him and then at the eleventh hour we lose him whilst at the same time our Squad vulnerability is exposed to the light at Sheffield. I can understand the depression setting in with many supporters and don't question their support because they post angry posts trying to vent out their disappointment.
On Tuesday night it felt like a double stab to the heart, even though it both the result and transfer were sort of expected. I still felt down until this morning. Still a new day dawns and we all move on. thoughts move on to weekend with hopes of beating Spam at Upton Park so we can take extra delight at all the 'pundits & experts' squirming after predicting our doom on losing Dembele.
Oh by the way I have been experincing these traumas since 1966 COYW :scarf:
I'm 21.
My first match was in 2001. 0-0 Against Aston Villa at the Cottage.
11 years, numerous shirts, programmes, pies and one tattoo later I'm still here.
FTID
59 years. My first recollection is of my late father saying... 'Hurry up and get your school cap on...they have this young lad playing called Johnny Haynes....'
Never wavered in the following of the club. Painful at times mind you...
092.gif
I haven't read through all seven pages but the OP is spot on.
My first game was in 1978. Went home and away in the 80's & 90's, seen Fulham at 120+ different clubs, I don't go so much anymore due to financial & family commitments, sadly.
Players come and go but the club remains, and thanks to Fayed it looks like it always will, and as someone who's seen at least 3 "last ever" Fulham games, that's a blessing to be counted.
First game was late 1995 - a glamourous 1-1 draw with Barnet.
Stood up on the Hammersmith End by the green pole, and all I really remember about the game was that Gary Brazil scored. I was hooked and went to pretty much every home game (and some aways) for the rest of that season.
Season ticket the year after and every year since.
Quote from: RidgeRider on August 29, 2012, 07:54:50 PM
Quote from: fulhamben on August 29, 2012, 07:30:29 PM
Quote from: RidgeRider on August 29, 2012, 07:15:37 PM
wow, there are some Fulham geezers on this board! :dft012:
I've been following them since a month before Sanchez got the sack and been loving every minute of it. :scarf:
wow. you must be a real sucker for punishment . what on gods earth attracted you to us in that chapter of our history. they were some desperate times
Strange I know. Basically it came down to the Cottage, it being the oldest club in London (so history was a factor), and I liked the fact that the team wasn't at the top. I must say I was VERY naive and had no idea Sanchez was so bad but it didn't take long to see the team was playing like crap even though I knew just a smidge about the game. I remember thinking that the draws were like wins back then and how out matched we seemed to be each week.....and then our savior came, and I knew I had picked the right club.
About the same! (with regards to timing and knowledge)
I got a half season ticket and my dad kept saying "you know Fulham are going to be relegated right?".
Good thing Roy came along and proved him wrong!
1960. Blackburn (I think).
Moved from Scotland to Southfields at 12 years old. Started going to Fulham and became a Johnny Haynes fan first, (I had never seen anyone play like him, not surprising when you are used to watching the likes of Kilmarnock or St.Mirren) then Fulham was stuck. Moved to Sussex so stopped going as often but living in Putney in the 70s, really enjoyed that era. Have to say it was mostly midweek because I always played on Saturdays.
MasterHaynes you have nailed the feelings I had on that coach journey home from Sheffield on Tuesday night/Wednesday morning
* I had convinced myself Dembele would stay this season and go on a Bosman next summer
* the first two performances had allowed my fantasies to run wild
* the manner of this seasons League Cup exit was an unexpected jolt back to reality (how many times have we experienced that?)
Being a third generation FFC supporter, originally from off the Lillee Road, and having seen my first match (0-3 home defeat to Orient) in September 1973 you would have thought I would have known better.......
West Ham on Saturday. New day. New dawn. I'll be there.
Dad (now sadly departed) chose Fulham over Chelsea during the early-mid fifties and passed it down to me and my brother.
My brother deserted for Arsenal when he was about 7 or 8 (in league with his Grandad) but I was hooked from as early as I can remember.
First game was 75/76 I think, aged 7 or 8. Memory is hazy but it was either York or Pompey at home, and I think we lost 1-0. The strange thing is I have a very vivid memory of being brought into the kitchen with my brother, and being adorned with knitted black & white bar scarves and bobble hats. It was at this point that I realised that I was finally going, and I can still recall the excitement.
Went regularly away throughout the eighties and early nineties, before other responsibilities took greater demands on my funds.
Now have season ticket with 7 yr old son in block AL, and I cling to the hope that he will derive as much satisfaction of being a fulham fan (despite the lack of success) as I have always had.
51 years-but still .a tourist