Sunday Fulham Stuff (03/08/14)...

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Hangeland in free switch to join Palace

Crystal Palace have signed former Fulham captain Brede Hangeland on a one-year contract.

The 33-year-old Norway international's six-and-a-half year stay at Craven Cottage came to an end after the Whites decided not to offer the defender a new deal following their relegation from the Barclays Premier League.

Hangeland, who claims to have been informed of his release by e-mail, played over 200 league games for Fulham and will provide stiff competition to the likes of Scott Dann, Paddy McCarthy and Damien Delaney for a place in the heart of Tony Pulis' defence.

Palace play at Forest Green Rovers in a friendly today.




Read more: http://www.westerndailypress.co.uk/Hangeland-free-switch-join-Palace/story-22053589-detail/story.html?#ixzz39JZ90AGw
Read more at http://www.westerndailypress.co.uk/Hangeland-free-switch-join-Palace/story-22053589-detail/story.html?#JVpcC9YwCiri41RC.99

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Con artist pretended to be Fulham FC player to swindle Cirencester nightclub out of £3,500 of booze

A con artist who claimed to be a professional football player was among a gang who swindled thousands of pounds out of a Cirencester nightclub.

Reva Nightclub, based in Bishops Walk, recorded losses of around £3,500 after a group used a stolen credit card to pre-order drinks on luxurious nights out at the club over a five-week period.

One of the conmen claimed to be a "new signing" for Fulham, who were relegated from the Premier League in May.

Claiming to be out with his brother and girlfriends, they wore "swanky suits" and were chauffeured around in "flash cars" during "seven or eight" visits to the club.

Club director Dan Lafford, who opened the venue in December, said he became suspicious later when he noticed one of the men using a "cheap" mobile phone.

He said: "It doesn't really make any sense. Why would you risk getting caught in a controlled environment where we have CCTV?

"They didn't get much for their efforts.

"If you are prepared to rip somebody off, surely you would do it for something more substantial, like cash or jewellery, which would last longer.

"All I can say is that they had balls."

Police are appealing for information following a series of crimes which date back to June 17.

The club confirmed it was liable to compensate the card's owner because it did not ask for a PIN or signature when taking their orders over the phone.

The group, which included three men and two women thought to be from the Cheltenham area, were able to "place credit" behind the bar before they arrived at the venue.

Drinks, which included expensive vodka and Champagne, would be ordered by a so-called agent of the fake footballer beforehand.

When Mr Lafford became suspicious, a raid had been prepared with Gloucestershire police in time for when the group returned but they never did.

The club has since changed its card policy, stating that it will only take pre-ordered drinks over the phone if the customer can give a PIN on arrival.

The club is popular among students and was once visited by the cast of the television show Made in Chelsea.

Anybody who has information should call police on 101 quoting incident number 107 of June 17.

The club's owner Meridian Leisure and Entertainment has had the payments reclaimed by the card companies.



Read more: http://www.gloucestershireecho.co.uk/artist-pretended-Fulham-FC-player-swindle/story-22054828-detail/story.html?#ixzz39JZZyDAB
Read more at http://www.gloucestershireecho.co.uk/artist-pretended-Fulham-FC-player-swindle/story-22054828-detail/story.html?#TYWYa1KIXkTy18t4.99

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Away Kit Instore

Our new 2014/16 adidas away kit is already available to buy online, but fans will be able to purchase instore from Tuesday 5th August.


The doors of our Craven Cottage store will open, as usual, from 9am ahead of our Open Training Day which starts at 9.30am.

Reintroducing the ever popular black kit with added infrared stripes, it will be worn by the team for two seasons – switching to our third strip for the 2015/16 campaign. At £44.99, it's also £5 cheaper than last year.

Part of our 'New Originals' concept and in line with the home kit, our away strip offers both contemporary design and technical innovation.

For those that can't make our Open Training Day, both kits are available to buy from our online store www.fulhamdirect.fulhamfc.com. Complete with improved functionality, favourite player shirt selection and a click and collect option for both the Stadium Store and Motspur Park (customers get free UK delivery when spending £75 or above), there's really no better time to show your colours for the 2014/15 season.


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2014/august/02/away-kit-launch-instore?

[WhiteJC]

 
Goalkeepers Union: Part Two

Fulham's pre-season campaign has seen Academy products Jesse Joronen and Marcus Bettinelli featuring prominently between the sticks. In the concluding part of our feature, the duo discuss their roles in the team and their rise through the age groups.


You're both vocal out on the pitch – that's a trait we know Felix Magath admires, so have you always been that way or has he brought it out of you?

MB: I think we've both been pretty vocal through the years. You watch other goalies and you take little bits and pieces from them. We used to watch Mark Schwarzer a lot and Stocko a lot and we used to take bits from their game – you try to take a bit from everybody really and then you sort of create your own goalie. So I think we were both pretty vocal even prior to the Gaffer coming in but, again, it shows that maturity that we have that we can step into a First Team situation and both show that vocal side, because it's not always easy when you are still quite a young goalie, but we don't seem to feel that young anymore. We're more senior now, but we're both relishing that and I think we both feel pretty happy.

JJ: Absolutely, and in general if you speak well during the game and that means you don't have to face as many shots, then that's a win for a goalkeeper, if you minimise the risk of conceding a goal. That's what the Gaffer wants us to do here, and that's why we're doing it as well. It's been part of our game but probably now it's been lifted up a little bit as well.

There are a lot of Academy products currently with the First Team in Austria – that's so good to see isn't it?

MB: Yeah definitely. The Academy boys last year did a fantastic job and came really close to winning the FA Youth Cup and a lot of them have now got their just rewards with the Gaffer giving them a place on the tours and giving them some game time. From mine and Jesse's point of view, we owe a lot to Vic [Bettinelli], and we owe a lot to Martin [Brennan] who worked with us for the last couple of years and has been tremendous with both of us, on and off the pitch. So we owe a lot to both of them and I think the youth players in general have always worked really, really hard, from the 18s through to the 21s. We've always had good morals and a good work ethic. You can see when we train that we're all really hungry young lads that want to do well, for each other and for ourselves.

JJ: I think the past four years the Academy has been very, very good, and now, during the last year as well,  probably even more so because players could see that if you do well, you will be rewarded. That drives young players even more, knowing that if you do well you'll get a chance in the First Team with some more games, like many of the lads did last season, and that was brilliant for the Club.

MB: It's great to have Marek [Rodák] here as well. He's a young lad and there's not a lot between Magnus [Norman] and Marek – they're both very, very good young goalies and while Marek has got the nod over Magnus to come on this trip, they're both very good and I'd imagine they're going to be involved a lot more over the coming weeks and months. So we'll welcome them into the squad and look after them as the GK union is meant to do. It's good to have four academy goalies in and around the First Team. It hasn't been like that for a long time, which is probably the same for most clubs, so we're really relishing that.

What differences have you noticed having made the step up to the First Team?

MB: When you are a young lad and step in, at the start I think it's very much about having confidence because it's a new situation, you're surrounded by new players, and you're a bit nervous, but it's good to be nervous because it shows that that's how much you want it. What we've learnt over the last year or so is that when we get given a chance, we have to take it with both hands and be grateful for it. You've got to show what you can do because you don't know when you're going to get another chance.

JJ: Like Marcus said, it's all about when you get the chance, you have to seize it. In the First Team environment you can't afford to be anything but your best self – on the pitch, and a little bit off the pitch as well, especially when you first come in. You have to be on it, you have to properly go at it. Obviously everyone wants to do that, but not everybody is able to do that. It's important that you get your mind right – you feel that your abilities are ready but you've also got to be ready mentally. Me and Marcus have both had our fair share of difficult times, through injuries and so on, but that has developed us both mentally to be very strong. The chance has been given to us now, and we are up for it.



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2014/august/02/gk-union-part-two?

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Çaykur Rizespor 0 - 1 Fulham

A late Cauley Woodrow strike earned Fulham a 1-0 victory over Caykur Rizespor at the Jenbach Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

In a first half of few chances, it was Kostas Mitroglou who went closest to breaking the deadlock when his volley was pushed around the post.

After the restart, Rizespor should have taken the lead when they were awarded a penalty but substitute goalkeeper Jesse Joronen was equal to Lomana Lua Lua's spot-kick.

And it proved costly when, with three minutes remaining, Woodrow found the net with a composed finish to wrap up a productive week in Austria.

New signing Nikolay Bodurov started the game the day after joining the Club, while Mitroglou was given a first appearance of pre-season since returning from the World Cup in Brazil.

The game started at a gentle tempo in the humid conditions, with the first meaningful event arriving on quarter of an hour when Cumali Bisi was booked for a crude challenge on Fulham's trialist.

The Turkish side were then controversially handed a free-kick on the edge of the box when Koray Altinay went down under Fernando Amorebieta's tackle, but the Venezuelan had appeared to simply outmuscle his opponent. Murat Duruer stepped up to take the kick but the wall did its job and deflected the ball behind for a corner.

Mitroglou drew the first save of the game on 26 minutes he connected well with compatriot Kostas Stafylidis' cross, but Rizespor goalkeeper Necati Yilmaz was able to palm the ball wide of the post.

The Greek striker was involved in his side's next opportunity 10 minutes later, too – winning a free-kick 25 yards from goal that Chris David bent over the bar.

Shortly after, David's outswinging corner found the head of Mitroglou who had peeled away from his marker, but he was unable to generate enough power to trouble Yilmaz, who held comfortably.

Altinay then became the second Rizespor man to enter the referee's notebook when he hauled down Woodrow in a headlock.

Within two minutes of the restart, substitute Joronen was forced to make a great fingertip save when former Newcastle United and Portsmouth man Lua Lua curled a free-kick in towards the near top corner.

Rizespor were handed a golden opportunity to take the lead on 57 minutes when they were awarded a penalty following a Ryan Williams foul on Ali Liban Abdi, but Joronen did brilliantly to deny Lua Lua from the spot, repelling the penalty kick with his legs.

On 73 minutes, Williams robbed Lua Lua on the halfway line and advanced with purpose before feeding Woodrow who flicked the ball back to Hugo Rodallega – only for a covering defender to nick it off his toes before he could get a shot away.

Good skill by George Williams on 79 minutes allowed him to get to the byline and cut the ball back to Rodallega, but his powerful strike was well blocked by Rizespor's substitute goalkeeper Serkan Kirintili.

With eight minutes remaining, Lua Lua was booked for a needless, and quite appalling, challenge on Scott Parker who had skipped away from the Congolese forward. Fulham's number eight needed treatment but was given the green light to continue.

With three minutes remaining, the Whites took the lead. George Williams ran directly at the Turkish defence who continued to back off, played a one-two with Rodallega, and then slipped the ball in to Woodrow who confidently finished from eight yards.

Long range efforts for either side from Lua Lua and Thomas Eisfeld followed in the closing stages, but no more goals arrived as the Whites concluded their pre-season campaign in winning fashion.


http://www.fulhamfc.com/first-team/2014_2015/friendly/caykur-rizespor

[WhiteJC]

 
Out of the Frying Pan and into the Fire!
   
Having split from Craven Cottage, it seems that our former centre-back, Brede Hangeland, has found himself a new club.

The 33 year-old Norwegian centre back, who was once mentioned in the same sentence as Arsenal when it came to a career move, has signed a one-year deal with Crystal Palace and will feature in their friendly fixture against Brentford this afternoon.

Here at Vital Fulham we`d like to wish Brede all the best and thank him for his service but we can`t help wondering whether he`s stepped from one relegation fight and straight into another.


Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=365195#ixzz39Jb9TSf1

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Fulham manager is wearing a Jacksonville Jaguars shirt during a game

Shad Khan's promoting cross-brand synergy.


Saul Goode @Ericallenharris
Follow
Hahaha Fulham manager Felix Magath in a Jaguars jersey on the sideline of a game.  pic.twitter.com/h9BOAUs2B9"
1:52 PM - 2 Aug 2014


You know, just in case any Fulham fans are only vaguely aware of the NFL and aren't sure which team they should support.



http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/2014/8/2/5962021/fulham-manager-is-wearing-a-jacksonville-jaguars-shirt-during-a-game?

[WhiteJC]

 
Manager Reaction

Felix Magath is pleased with how his Fulham side have prepared for the 2014/15 Sky Bet Championship campaign during their time in Austria.

The Whites rounded off their tour with a 1-0 victory over Turkish outfit Caykur Rizespor on Saturday – their fifth victory and clean sheet of pre-season – and our Manager declared himself content with his players' application.

"We have had very good results in our games," Magath told fulhamfc.com. "That's not the most important thing but it's very nice that we conceded not a lot of goals – that was our problem last season.

"I'm satisfied with how the players have worked in the whole period – we have done a lot of work. We've we done a lot in our training camps and everybody has been ambitious in the training sessions.

"I think we are prepared but I think it needs a little bit of time for us because we have a very young team, a new team, but we are on the right way."

With our season opener at Ipswich Town now just a week away, Magath praised his players for their efforts in the build up to the new campaign, but admitted that he would have preferred to have had a full squad for a greater length of time.

He stated: "We have a done a lot of work in the last six weeks and everybody was very ambitious in our training sessions so I'm very glad with what the players have done.

"The only thing is we have not had the whole squad at the beginning of the pre-season period, and so we are not in the best shape at the moment because we don't have enough time to work together."

Saturday's victory saw new boy Nikolay Bodurov get 90 minutes under his belt, whilst fellow recent arrival Thomas Eisfeld entered the action at half-time. They're two players whose services Magath is pleased to have secured.

"Bodurov is a very experienced player and he will help us a lot," he explained. "He's very strong and he's very confident and so he gives us security in the defence.

"Thomas Eisfeld showed that he's very dangerous, he's very skilful with the ball, and is a very good attacking player."


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2014/august/02/manager-reaction

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Woodrow scores Fulham winner in Austria

Cauley Woodrow scored an 88th-minute winner as Fulham rounded off their pre-season campaign by beating Turkish club Çaykur Rizespor 1-0 in Austria.

New signing Nikolay Bodurov started for the Whites, as did striker Kostas Mitroglou, who played the first half and had an effort saved.

Fulham keeper Jesse Joronen saved a penalty from former Newcastle and Portsmouth forward Lomana Tresor LuaLua before Woodrow found the net.

Striker Woodrow finished well after being set up by George Williams.


http://www.westlondonsport.com/fulham/woodrow-scores-fulham-winner-in-austria?

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Williams' Debut Hope

George Williams has relished his First Team involvement this pre-season, and is keen to make his competitive debut for Felix Magath's side as soon as possible.

The 18-year-old forward, who brilliantly set up Cauley Woodrow's winner against Caykur Rizespor on Saturday, played a starring role at youth level for the Whites last season and – after being named on the bench for our final game against Crystal Palace – he is keen to establish himself within the senior squad.

"I want to be playing First Team football this season," Williams told fulhamfc.com. "I just want to get as many minutes under my belt as I can.

"I'm not as nervous about making my debut now because I've played a few games in pre-season so I'm not really too worried about it, but I definitely want to get that debut as soon as possible.

"I like to think I've held my own in the games that I've played – hopefully I've impressed the Manager, so we'll just see what happens on the 9th at Ipswich."

Williams is one of six youngsters from last season's Under-18 side – along with Marek Rodák, Cameron Burgess, Emerson Hyndman, Patrick Roberts and Moussa Dembélé – who travelled to Austria this week, and he admitted that while it has been a testing period, it's been a great learning curve.

"It's been a very hard few weeks but I've learnt so much and experienced so much," Williams admitted. "It's definitely testing myself in new ways that perhaps I'm not used to.

"Obviously it's working with a new manager as I've come up from the Under-18s and it's a different style of play. He likes different things so, again, that's helped me learn a lot.

"I think it's helped that a lot of the young boys have all come up together. Now we're all in the First Team together and there's a nice mix between the older boys and the young boys. The older guys have all been giving us good advice which can only help, too."

The summer of 2014 will also be one the youngster remembers for another reason, after he earned full international recognition when he came on as substitute in Wales' 2-0 friendly defeat by the Netherlands in Amsterdam.

Naturally, it's a source of great pride for Williams.

He stated: "That was probably one of the best experiences I've had in football so far, along with scoring my first senior goal for MK Dons when I was 16-years-old. Playing in front of 65,000 people in Holland – it doesn't get much better than that.

"I was called up as replacement for Gareth Bale, and that's not a bad thing to be able to say either!"


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2014/august/03/williams-debut-hope

[WhiteJC]

 
Dejagah rejects Bundesliga and Premier League offers to join Al Arabi

Iranian international midfielder Ashkan Dejagah, who has never played outside of Europe, has rejected Premier League and Bundesliga offers to sign a lucrative contract with the Qatari side Al Arabi. Dejagah's agent, Reza Fazeli, believes that Ashkan made the right decision and the fans should respect his choice.

"Ashkan had a year left on his contract with Fulham, so the club had the right to choose the best financial offer. There were some offers from the English Premier League and also some offers from the German Bundesliga, but Fulham rejected the financial bids," for the release clause, Fazeli told the Mehr News Agency in an interview published on Friday.

"The Al Arabi offer was acceptable for Fulham. Ashkan studied all the offers and finally chose to continue his career in Qatar. I can't speak about the contract fee, but Ashkan signed a four-year deal with Al Arabi and the fans should respect his choice."

The Iranian-German midfielder, who had a great performance in the World Cup, especially against Argentina, joined Fulham from the German side VfL Wolfsburg at the start of the 2012-13 season. He made an impression at the Cottagers in his two seasons at the club, scoring six goals in 49 appearances.



http://www.payvand.com/news/14/aug/1009.html?