Thursday Fulham Stuff - 12/10/23...

[WhiteJC]

Liverpool dramatically re-enter race for missing midfield piece who'll take them £10m overbudget in January
Liverpool remain interested in rivalling Bayern Munich for the signing of Fulham enforcer Joao Palhinha to complete their midfield rebuild, a report has claimed.

Palhinha only joined Fulham last year from Sporting CP, but after an encouraging debut season in the Premier League, he came close to leaving them this summer. Bayern Munich were on the verge of acquiring him, until Fulham pulled the plug because of a lack of their own replacement.

Sources told TEAMtalk in September – the same month in which Palhinha earned an improved contract at Craven Cottage – that the Portugal international had made it clear to his employers that he would like to join Bayern in January.

This time, Fulham would have more time to identify a replacement, so it will be interesting to see if they honour his wishes.

Now, in a new twist, Anfield Watch has claimed that Liverpool are back in the battle for Palhinha after previously establishing themselves as an interested party in the summer.

Liverpool signed Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch this summer, but the only natural holding midfielder they brought in was the veteran Wataru Endo. Thus, they might still be in the market for a long-term successor to Fabinho, especially if that would mean freeing up Mac Allister to play in a more familiar role.

In that regard, Palhinha might be the solution they have been looking for. The 28-year-old has better pedigree than Endo and has already acclimatised to the Premier League, making more tackles than any other player in the division last season (he is already second in the standings for the new campaign in that department too, behind only Luton Town's Marvelous Nakamba).

In order to sign him, Liverpool would have to meet Fulham's asking price of £70m. The problem is, according to the report, their budget for the January transfer window is only £60m.

Any player sales they oversee in the winter could adjust what they are willing to spend, but it remains to be seen if they will try their luck for Palhinha at a lower amount than what Fulham want.

After all, the Lisbon-born ace is not their only target for the no.6 berth. They have also revived their interest in Brazilian prospect Andre, whom Fluminense refused to sell in the summer while they were on their route to the Copa Libertadores final, which will take place next month.

Palhinha or Andre for Liverpool?
The 22-year-old would be even more of a long-term option than Palhinha, but Liverpool will have to weigh up how much of an instant impact they need in the position. If the answer is to a significant degree, Palhinha may be preferable, but if they are happy to wait and develop someone over time, perhaps they should stick to focusing on Andre.

Reports have already claimed that Andre would be interested in coming to the Premier League with Liverpool – or potentially another suitor – when the opportunity arises.

While Liverpool work out their hierarchy of targets, they might also have to be wary of a new Bayern approach for Palhinha. If beaten to his signature, they would have to focus elsewhere, but maybe they aren't out of the running just yet.

And while the January transfer window can be a quiet time for major deals, Liverpool have looked to make use of it in recent years. The last two winter windows have seen them sign Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo respectively.



https://www.teamtalk.com/liverpool/reds-dramatically-re-enter-race-missing-midfield-piece-10m-overbudget-january

[WhiteJC]

Ticket pricing – joint fan statement
At Fulham, it feels like we've experienced more than our fair share of lows at Craven Cottage over the years, interspersed by some incredible highs. Whether it's the run to the 1975 FA Cup Final, the "tidal wave on the Thames" or that header from Denis Odoi in the play-offs, the black and white thread that ties us all together as Fulham fans is that we were there and we saw it; we didn't just live and breathe those unforgettable moments but we helped make them as magical as they were because we were as much a part of them as the players.

But despite too many lows on the pitch to be able to count, the lowest points have been the moments when the future of the Club has been threatened. Several times over the years we've almost lost Fulham or Craven Cottage and from the fight against merger with QPR in 1987, through to the fundraising of Fulham 2000 and the two-year struggle to get Back to the Cottage from exile at Loftus Road that was the catalyst for the formation of the Fulham Supporters' Trust, at tough times Fulham fans have always rallied to protect our Club.

We believe that now is the time for all sections of our Fulham family to come together again to make sure that future generations of Fulham fans can create and experience their own highs (and lows) at Craven Cottage. This time though, the problem isn't property developers trying to flatten the Cottage or owners intent on running down or relocating the Club. The problem is a completely misguided ticket pricing policy that fundamentally misunderstands what it means to be a fan. It's a policy which, piece by piece, is alienating a large part of our core fan base to the extent that increasing numbers just can't afford to come to a game or bring their friends and family to help create that next generation.

It all started in 2018 after a White Wall inspired Fulham stormed back to the Premier League at Wembley. The euphoria of that day was quickly replaced by the stark reality of match day tickets rising steeply as high as £55 in the Hammersmith End and more expensive elsewhere. Whilst season tickets were fairly priced, this 'Premier League tax' was a sign of things to come.

Despite relegation (twice), a pandemic and a massively overrunning rebuild of the Riverside Stand which should by now be bringing in much-needed non-matchday revenue, we finally seem to have some stability on the pitch in the Premier League under Marco Silva. However, off the pitch those £55 tickets now feel more like an aspiration than a burden. For our upcoming game against Manchester United, the majority of seats in the Hammersmith End have risen 18% since last season and a whopping 40% since 2019, now standing at £77. If you want to watch from the side it's even more – up to £106 in the Johnny Haynes Stand and £160 in the Riverside. These are the most expensive standard tickets in the Premier League and it's not just the high profile matches that are on the rise. Ticket prices for all categories of match have risen steeply since last year, typically 18% in the three old stands and substantially more in the Riverside. The majority of adult tickets behind the goal cost £71 against Sheffield United with prices at the sides up to £125. For a family of four Fulham fans it would now cost from £172 – £212 to attend such a game in the Hammersmith End. So much for us being "a family friendly" club.

What about season tickets? Those prices have also been climbing – up 10% in 2022 and another 18% in 2023 with prices as much as £3,000 in the incomplete Riverside. If next season's renewal prices match this year's new season ticket prices, as history tells us they're likely to, we'll have seen a 66% hike in three years. How long will you be able to afford that?

So we say "enough". We understand the challenges of running a football club and we appreciate the vast sums that have been committed by the Club's owners over a decade of losses. We agree with financial sustainability, but the shortfalls can't be made up by a ticket policy that prices out our traditional fan base in favour of short-term attendees who are prepared to pay big money for a one-off experience and never come back. This is a point the Fulham Supporters' Trust has made time and again over recent years. Regrettably, despite football claiming it is listening to fans as it seeks to avoid a regulator, we are not being heard by the senior management at Fulham. It is time to turn up the volume.

We're not looking for the owners to commit even more of their own money, but we are asking for an overhaul of the business model to make sure that responsibility for the shortfall isn't targeted at those who can least afford it. In a football world where TV pumps in billions, players are paid in six figures per week, transfer fees are in the tens of millions and agents take a huge cut for themselves, there are better ways to balance the books than to seek to make a few tens of thousands from fans who earn normal wages in the real world.

For our game against Manchester United, the Fulham Supporters' Trust will join forces with the Fulham Lillies and a large number of Fulham media outlets to demonstrate to senior club management that Fulham fans are united against increasingly unaffordable ticket prices that threaten the family friendly nature of our club. The fan media outlets support this action, have endorsed this statement and will publicise it to the wider fanbase.

We call on all Fulham fans to join us in delivering a clear, peaceful but loud message that these prices must be brought down and that ticketing policy must focus on ensuring real Fulham fans can afford both to attend and to encourage the next generation to attend. You may be able to afford your season ticket this year, but what about next? What about when you want to bring family members? How is the next generation going to be able to afford to fall in love with Fulham?

We ask you to gather before the Manchester United game on 4th November from 11:00am onwards at The Tea House in Bishops Park from where we will walk together to the ground, leaving promptly at 11:30am, to voice our objection to the ticket pricing policy.

We will distribute yellow cards to be held up inside the ground in the 18th minute of the match to represent the typical 18% price increase and give a clear message that we need an #AffordableFulham so that the next generations aren't lost and will be able to create their own tidal waves on the Thames.

A minute's silence will be held before the game to mark Remembrance Day so we have chosen to make our demonstration during the game rather than at the start out of respect for the occasion.

Statement endorsed by

https://www.fulhamsupporterstrust.com/news/2023/10/fulham-ticket-pricing-policy/

[WhiteJC]

Fulham eye Orban deal
Fulham are considering a big-money move for Ghenk striker Gift Orban in January, according to Teamtalk.

Dean Jones reports that the Whites are weighing up reviving their interest in the 21 year-old forward, who was on the club's shortlist to replace Aleksandar Mitrovic in the closing hours of the summer transfer window. But Fulham, like several other Premier League sides including Spurs, baulked at Gent's £25m valuation of their prized asset, who had only moved to Belgian in January.

The Benue-born striker has scored 26 goals in 36 games in Belgium since moving to Ghent from Norwegian side Stabaek, initially on loan, at the turn of the year. Orban bagged a brace on his Pro League debut and hit a UEFA record-breaking hat-trick in three minutes and 24 seconds against ?stanbul Ba?ak?ehir in the Conference League before grabbing the matchball in a qualifying round thrashing of Pogon Szczecin in August.

The penalty box poacher's enduring excellence in front of goal has encouraged Fulham to place Orban at the top of their January shopping list and Jones claims that the Whites are leading the chance to sign the striker, chiefly because they have struggled to replace Mitrovic's goals. Summer signing Raul Jimenez has yet to score for his new club and was dropped for Saturday's win over Sheffield United and replaced by Carlos Vinicius, who got the winner as a substitute against Luton last month. Fulham's only other senior striker is former Flamengo forward Rodrigo Muniz, who came on for the closing stages of the victory over the Blades at Craven Cottage.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2023/10/fulham-eye-orban-deal/

[WhiteJC]

Bobby De Cordova-Reid: the (temporary) answer to Fulham's goalscoring woes

The Whites may have embarked on a rollercoaster journey in recent seasons, but for most of that time there weren't many concerns about us finding the back of the net, thanks to the prolific Alexander Mitrovic. However, Mitro's departure has left a void. Amid these challenges, one player is emerging as a glimmer of hope – Bobby De Cordova-Reid. The versatile forward, who has been with the club since 2019, could be the solution to Fulham's goalscoring problems – at least until the January transfer window.

Bobby of all trades
De Cordova-Reid's versatility is a hallmark of his game. He's not confined to a single position, making him an invaluable asset for any manager. Whether deployed as a forward, left winger, right winger, central attacking midfielder, or even as a wingback on either flank, Bobby has consistently showcased his adaptability. This flexibility allows Fulham to use him strategically to exploit opponents' weaknesses and create goalscoring opportunities.

As Fulham boss Marco Silva rightly notes, "Tactically, Bobby is almost perfect." This endorsement from the gaffer underscores De Cordova-Reid's tactical intelligence and ability to excel in various roles. Silva's faith in Bobby's versatility highlights his importance to the team's strategy.

Ready, willing – and able
One unmistakable trait that sets Bobby apart is his eagerness to pull the trigger. He takes numerous shots during matches, demonstrating his hunger for goals. This season, he has already taken more shots than any other Fulham player, underlining his determination to become a reliable goalscoring presence – something that has been missing from the team's other attacking options.

In Bobby's own words, he finds it "natural and easy to play certain roles. To listen and just do the job that's required." This attitude speaks volumes about his commitment and willingness to adapt for the team's benefit. Fulham can rely on him to step up and deliver, no matter where he's positioned on the pitch.

Another string to BDR's bow (or tool to his pocketknife) is his composure. From his cool finish against Liverpool in the 2020/21 season to his strike against Sheffield United on Saturday, Bobby has the patience and calmness to get himself into the positions that matter – and finish the job. You can see the striking attributes continue to stack up.

Committed to the cause
Arguably the most compelling reason why Bobby De Cordova-Reid might be the answer to Fulham's goalscoring struggles is his unwavering loyalty to the club. Although loyalty alone doesn't directly contribute to expected goals (xG) statistics, Bobby's commitment to Fulham since 2019 has seen him endure the highs and lows, from promotion to relegation and back again. His dedication and faithfulness deserve to be rewarded with a prominent role in the squad. This season, when given the opportunities, he has once again stepped up as the current joint top-scorer, albeit with just two goals. This proves that he's not merely a versatile player but also a dependable source of goals when needed.

In the world of football, where loyalty can sometimes be a rarity, Bobby De Cordova-Reid stands as a testament to unwavering commitment. Fulham fans can take solace in the fact that with his versatility, hunger for goals, and years of dedication to the club, he may well be the answer to Fulham's goalscoring concerns in the absence of another player stepping up to fill Mitrovic's shoes.

As the season unfolds, there's hope that we will continue to witness crucial contributions from this talented player. Fulham's objective is to solidify their place in the top-flight and avoid the dreaded "second season syndrome," a challenge that Marco Silva has faced in previous roles. With Bobby De Cordova-Reid in the ranks, there's reason to believe that the goals will keep coming, that Fulham will maintain their Premier League status – and who knows what else?



https://www.fulhamish.co.uk/post/2023-10-11-bobby-de-cordova-reid-the-temporary-answer-to-fulhams-goalscoring-woes/

[WhiteJC]

Fulham fans shouldn't be priced out
We are proud to have endorsed this morning's Fulham Supporters' Trust statement calling on the club to reconsider their current Craven Cottage ticket pricing policy.

The Trust have consistently highlighted the danger of long-standing supporters being priced out of watching the Whites since Fulham hiked their matchday ticket prices upon their return to the Premier League in 2018. Their continued dialogue with Fulham Football Club's senior executives has been fruitless and the pricing of this season's match day adult tickets behind the goal, which hit £71 for Saturday's game against Sheffield United, follows an average 18.5% increase in season ticket prices this summer.

We were told during the pandemic that football without fans is nothing. Those words appear hollow when the club pays little more than lip service to the concerns of an organisation that was formed following the successful supporter-led campaign to take Fulham back to the Cottage in 2003. Many of our contributors, readers and listeners have followed the capital's oldest professional club for generations but are now unable to afford to support Marco Silva's side on a weekly-basis. It is an issue we have covered several times over the past eighteen months.

Several Fulham websites, fan forums and content creators have backed the Trust's statement outlining their opposition to the board's price-gouging and we would encourage Fulham fans to join the campaign for affordable ticket-pricing as well as participating in a yellow card protest during the eighteenth minute of November's home fixture against Manchester United to show our opposition to the current policy. Fulham fans should not be priced out of supporting our side.

You can join the Fulham Supporters' Trust via their website.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2023/10/fulham-fans-shouldnt-be-priced-out/

[WhiteJC]

Exclusive: Premier League midfielder remains open to Bayern transfer, Liverpool have also been linked
Fulham midfielder Joao Palhinha remains open to a transfer to Bayern Munich in January if the possibility should arise again.

The Portugal international has shone during his time at Craven Cottage, and it wouldn't be surprising if he soon made the step up to playing for one of Europe's elite.

Bayern still want a defensive midfielder this January, and Palhinha looks likely to be one of the names on their list again this winter, according to Fabrizio Romano in his exclusive Daily Briefing column.

Palhinha has also been linked with Liverpool in a recent report by Anfield Watch, with the Reds perhaps still requiring a bit of work in that area of the pitch after losing so many players in that position during the summer.

Liverpool ended up replacing Jordan Henderson, Fabinho, Naby Keita, James Milner and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain with Alexis Mac Allister, Wataru Endo, Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai, but arguably still need more of a natural number 6 player in that department.

Romano didn't comment on any possibility of a move to Liverpool, but it seems Bayern could be one to watch again.

He said: "Joao Palhinha – I'm still told that Bayern will insist for Joao Palhinha in January. They will sign a new DM this winter, for sure, and Palhinha remains one of the names on their list.

"The player would also be open to making this move happen, then it depends on Bayern-Fulham negotiations. We will see later this winter."



https://www.caughtoffside.com/2023/10/11/joao-palhinha-bayern-munich-liverpool-transfer-latest/

[WhiteJC]

Fulham choose £25m Mitrovic replacement ahead of January window
Fulham have identified Gent's £25 million-rated centre-forward Gift Orban as Aleksandr Mitrovic's replacement after the striker missed out on a move to Premier League giants Tottenham Hotspur.

When Tottenham eventually got cold feet over a big-money, late-summer deal for one of European's football's most talented young forwards, you almost could have heard the creak of the hinges as the door swung open for a number of other striker-chasing clubs.

Fulham, for instance, still have an Aleksandr Mitrovic-shaped hole in their frontline.

Raul Jimenez and Carlos Vinicius have done their best in the Serbian's absence – the latter in particular – but neither looks capable of matching Mitrovic's tally of 14 Premier League goals across 2022/23.

Gift Orban, then, would have big shoes to fill. Literally and metaphorically, the towering Mitrovic a man keenly missed at Craven Cottage.

Fulham eye Gift Orban after losing Mitrovic
Orban's record speaks for itself, even if his form has taken a dip since that aborted move to Tottenham two months ago. He won Norway's Golden Boot award with Stabaek in 2022 and took that prolific streak with him to Belgium, scoring 26 times in 34 games since joining Gent in January.

Gent are now asking for £25 million; CEO Michael Louwagie making it clear that the latest in a long line of prolific Nigerian poachers will not be going anywhere on the cheap.

"Why do Ajax and PSV sell players like Antony for 95 million euros and others for easily 40 to 50 million?" Louwagie asks, speaking to Het Nieuwsblad.

"And why should we think that 30 million euros is too much (for Orban), even though the competition here is at least as good (as in the Dutch Eredivisie)?"

26 goals in 34 games
It's a fair point.

Orban is far from the finished article at just 21 and there will be questions asked about whether an outstanding return in Norway and Belgium can be replicated in England. But with Fulham in need of a goalscorer, Orban's staggering numbers mean he feels like a punt worth taking.



https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2023/10/11/fulham-choose-25m-mitrovic-replacement-ahead-of-january-window/

[WhiteJC]

Fulham still keen on signing summer target – May be concerned about recent criticism
Towards the end of the last window, De Morgen stated Fulham had looked at KAA Gent star Gift Orban.

The Premier League side didn't take steps to carry out the transfer but continue to have the striker on their agenda.

That's according to TuttoMercatoWeb, who state Fulham are still keen on bringing the 21-year-old to London.

Marco Silva's side cashed in from Aleksandar Mitrović's sale to Al-Hilal and TMW say they are still looking for his 'worthy' successor.

The Nigeria international seems to be one of the candidates and Fulham, for now, are only keeping tabs on him.

Gent took the frontman from Norwegian side Stabæk in January and handed him a deal until 2027. The outlet states the Jupiler Pro League side are requesting 'at least €30m' to part ways with him.

There's no mention if Fulham are willing to meet Gent's demand and if they are looking at the player for January or next summer.

Orban managed 20 goals and two assists from 22 games in the second half of the last season, but has been receiving some criticism for his form so far in the current campaign.



http://sportwitness.co.uk/fulham-still-keen-signing-summer-target-silvas-side-told-least-30m-needed/

[WhiteJC]

Latest Tottenham injury news as five set to miss Fulham clash amid Brennan Johnson update
Tottenham injury news as Spurs begin to prepare to host the Cottagers later this month with Ange Postecoglou's squad not at full fitness

Tottenham and Ange Postecoglou will no doubt be delighted with how the first two months of their Premier League campaign has gone as they head into the second international break top of the table.

Their 1-0 win over Luton Town meant they leapfrogged their top-four rivals to start the weekend, but three losses in their last four in all competitions for reigning champions Manchester City has seen their downturn in form completely close the gap and allow Spurs to open their own one up.

Now they'll be looking ahead to a clash with London rivals Fulham in two weeks time but Postecoglou won't have his full range of stars to utilise after a tricky end to the last few weeks. One long-term injury is Israeli winger Manor Solomon, with the star forced to have surgery on his knee after a recent injury in training has left him sidelined for the next few months at least.

It'll come as a blow to Postecoglou's side, which has seen Solomon fit in perfectly on both wings, with him grabbing two assists in the 5-2 win over Burnley. One star who should be fully fit when they host the Cottagers however is striker Brennan Johnson, who was left out of the Wales squad by manager Rob Page in order to not jeopardise his health.

The 22-year-old suffered a thigh injury against Arsenal in the North London Derby, with the Wales boss saying: "The communication between us and Tottenham has been first-class. It's about having mutual respect.

"Both managers want a talented player fit so it's about working together. I'm not going to insist that he has to come away and we're going to play him, jeopardise his safety and health.

"I wouldn't do that. But they also understand the importance of our games. We've had great conversations with them, but ultimately his injury will dictate whether he can meet up or not."

Unfortunately for Postecoglou, both Ryan Sessegnon and Rodrigo Bentancur are still not close to full fitness. The former has been recovering from a thigh injury with him yet to play under the Australian manager since he arrived at the club, and is likely to be out for another few weeks yet.

Bentancur on the other hand has been spotted in training, doing one-to-one drills and exercise on bike machines but is still expected to be sidelined until mid-November at the earliest. The star has been out since he suffered a bad knee injury towards the end of last season and was an integral part to their early success last year.

Ivan Perisic and Alfie Whiteman are also long-term injuries for the club, with the former suffering a knee injury in training a few weeks ago which has likely ruled him out for the rest of the season. Whiteman has also undergone surgery after an ankle injury in preseason and a timeline for his return hasn't been established.



https://www.football.london/tottenham-hotspur-fc/players/latest-tottenham-injury-news-five-27886969

[WhiteJC]

Revealed: Company which built £20m Luton airport car park destroyed by inferno went BUST last month - and had also been working on Liverpool and Fulham's football stadiums

     Luton Airport car park fire LIVE: Follow for updates as firefighters tackle blaze
    Buckingham Contracting Group won contract in 2018 to build airport car park
    Company went bust on September 4 amid 'significant cash flow pressures'

The company which constructed the London Luton Airport car park that collapsed during a major fire entered administration just five weeks ago, MailOnline can reveal.

Buckingham Contracting Group won a £20million contract in July 2018 to build the 1,900-car site at the airport in Bedfordshire, which opened one year later in 2019 as part of a multi-year modernisation programme costing tens of millions of pounds.

But the company, which was also involved in building new football stadium stands at Liverpool FC's Anfield and Fulham FC's Craven Cottage, went bust on September 4.

Also involved in the car park construction was a Lancashire-based company called Raised Floor Solutions (RFS), although it was not the builder or main contractor.

RFS confirmed to MailOnline today that it was employed by Buckingham to supply and install the metal-deck flooring formwork to the designs produced by a structural engineering firm called Hill Cannon which is based in Harrogate, North Yorkshire.


The burnt out shells of cars amongst debris at the multi-storey car park at Luton Airport today
 

People stop to look at the scene following the fire at the Luton Airport car park this afternoon
 

A fire ripped through the car park at Luton Airport overnight, causing it to collapse


Passengers faced disruption after Luton Airport was closed because of last night's car park fire

Buckingham had also been involved in the planned £110million redevelopment of the 35,400-seater Casement Park stadium in Belfast, which is due to host matches at Euro 2028 but be primarily used for Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) games.

In addition, it was contracted to refurbish the lower tiers of two stands at Birmingham City FC's St Andrew's stadium - and was previously involved in work on one of the stands at Molineux, home of Wolverhampton Wanderers.

The firm, which was the biggest construction company to go out of business since Wolverhampton-based Carillion in January 2018, beat four competitors to land the Luton contract.

At the time, Buckingham was performing well having reported an 20 per cent rise in profits for 2017 and a 3.9 per cent margin - its highest in a decade.

But last month, it went bust after 36 years of uninterrupted trading - with about 500 staff being made redundant following what administrators Grant Thornton described as 'significant cash flow pressures and subsequent losses'.

They added that the 'legacy issues faced by the company and ongoing losses were simply too great to enable the refinance to succeed in an acceptable timescale'.

At the time, Buckingham's chairman Mike Kempley said he was left 'extremely sad' by the death of the company which had a turnover of £665million, reported Construction News.

Some of the business was saved by civil engineering firm Kier, which bought its rail engineering arm for £9.6million and saved around 180 jobs.


Buckingham Group Contracting was involved in the redevelopment of Liverpool FC's Anfield
 

Fulham FC's new stand at Craven Cottage was also a project on the books of Buckingham

But Buckingham's other divisions in civil engineering, demolition, major projects and sport and leisure could not be sold by Grant Thornton.

At Luton Airport, the runway remained closed until 3pm today after a vehicle fire that broke out just before 9pm last night caused a car park to collapse.

The fire was declared a major incident, with firefighters working through the night and into the early hours of today to extinguish the blaze.

Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service said it received a report of a car fire on level three of the airport's Terminal Car Park 2 at 8.47pm yesterday.

Fifteen fire appliances and more than 100 firefighters were deployed.

Three firefighters and a member of airport staff were taken to hospital suffering from smoke inhalation, and another firefighter was treated at the scene.

Andrew Hopkinson, chief fire officer for Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: 'On arrival my officers were faced with a severe and rapidly spreading fire involving a large number of vehicles that ultimately spread to multiple floors and involved a partial collapse of the car park.'

He said the car park does not have sprinklers, and if it did they 'may have made a positive impact'.

The fire chief added: 'We are already talking to the airport about ensuring that any future, and the existing, car parks have sprinklers fitted.'


Buckingham was involved in rebuilding the Kop stand at Birmingham City FC's St Andrew's
 

Buckingham had also been involved in the £110million redevelopment of the 35,400-seater Casement Park stadium in Belfast, which is due to host matches at the Euro 2028 tournament

Mr Hopkinson said up to 1,500 vehicles were inside the car park at the time of the fire.

The blaze is believed to have started with a diesel-powered vehicle 'and then that fire has quickly and rapidly spread', he said.

There is no suggestion the blaze happened intentionally. A temporary ramp is being installed at the car park to enable undamaged vehicles to be removed.

MailOnline has asked Buckingham's administrators Grant Thornton for comment. Hill Cannon has also been contacted for comment.



https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12619307/Company-built-20m-Luton-airport-car-park-destroyed-inferno-went-BUST-month-working-Liverpool-Fulhams-football-stadiums.html

[WhiteJC]

Fulham fans call for protest over ticket prices

Fulham fans are calling on supporters to demonstrate outside Craven Cottage before next month's home game against Manchester United over the club's "completely misguided" ticket pricing.

Fulham Supporters' Trust (FST), Fulham Lillies and fan media outlets are calling for action over matchday ticket pricing – which is among the most expensive anywhere in the country.

Supporter groups say the club's ticket pricing policy is alienating matchgoers and could price out a generation of local fans.

"The problem is a completely misguided ticket pricing policy that fundamentally misunderstands what it means to be a fan," Fulham Supporters' Trust and Fulham Lillies said in a joint statement released today.

"It's a policy which, piece by piece, is alienating a large part of our core fan base to the extent that increasing numbers just can't afford to come to a game or bring their friends and family to help create that next generation."

The focus of their anger is the staggering matchday ticket pricing set for the visit of Manchester United in November.

The highest-priced non-corporate adult ticket for November's Manchester United match is £160 for the new Riverside Stand – a 60% increase on the same fixture last season. The cheapest adult ticket is £67 in the Hammersmith End.

At Fulham, the issue of ticket prices has been of concern for successive seasons and supporter groups have been pushing back against the club's attempts to increase prices.

Craven Cottage is also now home to the most expensive non-corporate season ticket in the country, at £3,000.


Fulham fans protest ticket prices outside Craven Cottage back in 2019 – © Craig Mercer/Sportimage via Alamy

"We agree with financial sustainability," FST said. "But the shortfalls can't be made up by a ticket policy that prices out our traditional fan base in favour of short-term attendees who are prepared to pay big money for a one-off experience and never come back.

"We are not being heard by the senior management at Fulham. It is time to turn up the volume."

Supporters are being called on to gather before the Manchester United game on Saturday 4th November from 11am at the Tea House in Bishops Park – and from there fans will march to the ground in protest.

Fulhamish, Fulham Focus, HammyEnd, Friends of Fulham, Cottage Talk, That's So Craven, Jack & Loz, Fulham Fan News, FFCandME are also supporting the campaign.



https://thefsa.org.uk/news/fulham-fans-call-for-protest-over-ticket-prices/

[WhiteJC]

Fulham view Gift Orban as Aleksandar Mitrovic successor
Fulham are keen on signing Gift Orban ahead of the January window as Marco Silva continues to search for an Aleksandar Mitrovic replacement.

According to Tutto Mercato Web, Gift Orban has emerged as a target for Fulham, who are still looking to replace Aleksandar Mitrovic. Marco Silva has suffered without the Serb, who left for Saudi Arabia and is now eyeing the Gent man to solve the forward issues.

Marco Silva and Fulham fought off Saudi Arabia's interest in their star striker Aleksandar Mitrovic before caving into the pressure. The Serbian forward desperately wanted to move, and their contract offer really did have a big effect on his thinking.

Considering the lateness of the deal and the lack of quality options available in the market, Silva only managed to bring Raul Jimenez from Wolves. The Mexican striker is yet to open his Premier League account with the Cottagers, which has called for Fulham to sign another striker.

Silva, incidentally, had interest in another Wolves star, Sasa Kalajdzic. But the Midlands club did not want to sell two of their strikers to their mid-table rivals. Other names like Divock Origi also came into the picture, but the Belgian eventually signed with Nottingham Forest.

Now, with the January window approaching, Silva would certainly want a new striker. And Fulham have Gent star Gift Orban on his list. How the Nigerian did not move clubs during the summer remains the question, but the Belgian side were careful with approaches.

After the window shut, there were many revelations, including Manchester United's interest in Orban, as Erik ten Hag may have wanted another forward over Rasmus Hojlund. There were other clubs in the mix, too, with Tottenham being one of those.

Tottenham and Barcelona are still interested in the forward, and if they can find a suitable financial agreement, a move could materialise. Spurs are looking for an additional forward, with Ange Postecoglou also wanting Jota, his former player at Celtic.

As for Orban, Gent will demand at least €30 million, which would represent a solid profit over their investment in the Nigerian. If they are to get that sort of a fee for the player, then they will ten-fold their investment.

Fulham are certainly in a position to pay a decent fee, if not €30 million. Orban will have the choice of clubs on his table. But he must make his decision wisely, considering all aspects, including regular playing time.



https://thehardtackle.com/transfer-news/2023/10/11/fulham-view-gift-orban-as-aleksandar-mitrovic-successor/

[WhiteJC]

Ex-Fulham and Crystal Palace man walks out of role in management after two years in charge
A former Fulham manager has left his role in Greece after a seven match winless streak

A former promotion-winning defender at both Fulham and Crystal Palace has walked out of his managerial role just seven games into the new season. Chris Coleman was a Welsh international defender who made over 500 career appearances in English football and the majority of those came in successful spells in London with both Crystal Palace and Fulham.

Coleman was a member of the Eagles team which won the First Division title in 1993/94 to earn promotion to the Premier League. He also enjoyed a successful spell with Fulham which saw him win two promotions in three years as The Cottagers climbed from the third-tier to the Premier League. Since retiring from football the former Welsh international has worked in a number of managerial roles including his former club Fulham who made him the youngest manager in the top-flight in 2003.

Coleman enjoyed initial success during his time at Craven Cottage and was praised for harnessing the talents of Edwin Van Der Sar, Louis Saha and Steed Malbranque. His time at Fulham lasted four years but came to a surprise end during April of the 2006/07 season when he was sacked.

The 53-year-old has since enjoyed spells at Real Sociedad, Coventry City, AEL, Sunderland and Hebei China Fortune. But his most notable achievements came during a five year-stint with the Wales national team, who he led to an unprecedented European Championship semi-final in 2016.

Coleman's most recent challenge to Greece to manage top-tier side Atromitos, who are based near the capital city in Athens. In his 20 month stay at the club he inherited a team that were winless in nine and led them to a 12th place finish before helping the team climb up to 8th in his first full season at the helm.

This performance earned him a one year contract extension which he signed over the summer, amid links with the Olympiakos job. However, the team has started the season in disastrous fashion with no wins from their opening seven games and the club has struggled with budget cuts which resulted in the departure of assistant coach Kit Symons.

A club statement read: "Atrimitos would like to thank Chris for his contribution to our team, since he took over in very difficult times. He has been an example of dedication and hard work. He took over the technical leadership of Atromitos in January 2022 and remained on the bench in 61 matches. Chris, you will forever belong to the Atromitos family and we wish you every success on a personal and professional level."



https://www.londonworld.com/sport/football/fulham/fulham-crystal-palace-chris-coleman-manager-sunderland-greece-atromitos-4368682

[WhiteJC]

16-year-old Fulham midfielder named one of the Premier League's best youngsters
Fulham Under-18s midfielder Josh King has been named one of the best youngsters in the Premier League this season.

A report from The Guardian has shared which player to look out for at every top-flight club in England this year.

It's fair to say that there are plenty of players to be getting excited about at Fulham right now.

The club are doing brilliant work at Under-21 and Under-18 level and it should only be a matter of time until this benefits the first team.

The Under-21s won PL 2 Division 2 in 2022 and went on to finish fifth in the top-flight last year.

The Under-18s won the Premier League South as recently as 2020 and there are Fulham academy graduates regularly playing across the Premier League right now.

It's difficult to narrow down one player out of Fulham's many exciting youngsters to get really excited about, but Josh King is a standout talent.

Sharing a name with the Norwegian striker who was regularly linked with the Whites, King is already an England Under-17 international.

He made his Under-21s debut last week against Leicester City, scoring in the Premier League Cup.

The sky really is the limit for the 16-year-old right now.

Fulham midfielder King named among PL best youngsters
The report from The Guardian highlights that King was among the academy graduates who trained with Marco Silva's first team during pre-season.

They describe him as 'comfortable on the ball' and have been impressed with 'his ability to wriggle out of tight spaces'.

King has an eye for goal and has some incredible youngsters at Fulham to take inspiration from.

Jay Stansfield is thriving on loan at Birmingham City, while Martial Godo has already scored his first senior professional goal at Wigan Athletic.

Luke Harris could make his senior Wales debut against Gibraltar during this international break which would be a huge achievement.

It would be a real surprise to see King earn a call-up to the Fulham first team this season, especially given the other options in his position at Marco Silva's disposal right now.

However, he may not be far away and establishing himself in England's youth teams and the club's Under-21s side has to be the aim this season.



https://www.fulham.news/2023/10/11/16-year-old-fulham-midfielder-named-one-of-the-premier-leagues-best-youngsters/

[WhiteJC]

Fulham teenager Matt Dibley-Dias ruled out of All Whites matches
Men's football international: All Whites v DR Congo. Where: Estadio Nueva Condomina, Murcia, Spain. When: 5am Saturday (NZT). Coverage: Live stream on FIFA+, live updates on Stuff.

Fulham teenager Matt Dibley-Dias has been denied a potential All Whites debut.

The 19-year-old midfielder has been ruled out of New Zealand's friendlies against DR Congo and Australia after suffering a hamstring injury in training.

New Zealand Football confirmed on Wednesday night that Dibley-Dias had returned to Fulham for treatment and that no replacement would be sought ahead of Saturday's clash with DR Congo.

 The Lower Hutt-born Dibley-Dias is a highly-rated midfielder on the books of a Premier League club who is eligible for the All Whites, Brazil, England and Portugal.

Dibley-Dias has made two appearances on Fulham's bench but is yet to make his first team debut. He recently signed a new long-term deal through to 2027.

Dibley-Dias has been on New Zealand Football's radar since 2021 and he appeared to be leaning towards playing his international football for the All Whites after accepting a call-up from coach Darren Bazeley.

 Ahead of his selection, Dibley-Dias told Fulham's website the All Whites' matches against DR Congo and Australia would be "a great opportunity for me to play against senior level players and can help give me a platform to perform against first team opponents".

"Hopefully it will help open more doors for me and I'm just looking forward to seeing what it's like."

Bazeley had previously indicated Dibley-Dias was likely to feature in at least one of the matches.

All Whites – October international window
 Squad

Goalkeepers: Henry Gray, Max Crocombe, Michael Woud, Nik Tzanev

Defenders: Bill Tuiloma, Dalton Wilkins, Liberato Cacace, Michael Boxall, Nando Pijnaker, Niko Kirwan, Tommy Smith, Tyler Bindon

Midfielders: Callum McCowatt, Marko Stamenic, Matt Dibley-Dias, Matt Garbett, Sarpreet Singh

Forwards: Alex Greive, Ben Waine, Chris Wood, Elijah Just, Joey Champness, Max Mata
Fixtures

Saturday, October 14, 5am: v Democratic Republic of the Congo; Estadio Nueva Condomina, Murcia, Spain

Wednesday, October 18, 7.45am: v Australia; Gtech Community Stadium, London, England



https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/nz-teams/133096020/fulham-teenager-matt-dibleydias-ruled-out-of-all-whites-matches

[filham]

King, another youngster of promise being said capable of making the Premier league team.
Oh,wouldn't it be great to see a home grown youngster in our team. We hear about these young players from time to time but they seem to fade out of sight before making the first team.

[hovewhite]

The big hope Patrick Roberts don't think he has gone on to the build up of promise he had showed.
He still performing well for the Makems.

[Sting of the North]

Well, we have seen the Sessegnons and Carvalho the last few years. PLus some guest appearances from Harris and Stansfield so far. Let's hope for someone to take a regular place in the stating eleven within the next year or so.

[hovewhite]

Well, we have seen the Sessegnons and Carvalho the last few years. PLus some guest appearances from Harris and Stansfield so far. Let's hope for someone to take a regular place in the stating eleven within the next year or so.

and they don't get nicked by the scousers

[OldBrownShoe]

Hello dear John,
Please could you be a top bloke and let me have Emma Hawkey's email or contact address? She was a friend about 30 years ago when she worked with that apology Ken Myers. But to save his own position, he sacked her! I lost touch with her and think that she might subsequently have moved and married and perhaps her surname has changed. Would love to drop her a line.
Hope you are well and thanks for what you do with FOF.
Old Brown Shoe