The George Cohen Experience

[Fernhurst]

Fulham verses Blackburn saw me and two pals of very similar vintage rock up to The Cottage and enter by a very different method than the usually clanking turnstile.

Decided to lash out and sample the delights of the George Cohen Lounge so found ourselves greeted by some charming ladies at the impressive FFC reception who furnished us with what appeared to be "access all areas dog tags" before being escorted across ground (dodging the sprinklers) to The Riverside Stand. On arrival we were directed to a pair of doors that sprung open revealing the great man himself accompanied by his lovely wife waiting to welcome us.

A glass of champers and we were shown to our table alongside Georges.
The room is only small (8 tables) giving our host ample opportunity to flit about having snatches of conversation with everybody.

George is very experienced at this marlarky and dealt with kings and serfs with equal aplomb. He could easily give a speech to a roomful of politicians but he quickly sussed us out as 3 likely lads and tailored his anecdotes at our table accordingly.

George is 8 years older than the 3 of us (but looked 10 years younger!) We regaled him with a tale of three 14 year olds playing in a 5 a side tournament at Epsom Baths back in the middle ages desperately trying to make the final as George was handing out the medals and getting a case of the collywobbles when he passed us in the corridor.

George talked of the 60's Fulham team with equal peppering of affection and oath's

One tale I can relay to The Old Sods Army is this:

Some weeks after The Maestro returned to the Fulham team after breaking his leg at Blackpool George had to attend an England training weekend at Lilleshall.
Alf Ramsey pulled George aside and enquired how Johnny was playing and George replied in all honesty he was playing as well as ever and was in very good form.
Alf breathed in Georges ear " he will never be fit again"
Many many years later George told Johnny of the conversation with Alf and after a pause Johnny replied "he wasn't a bad judge then was he!!"

Beautiful wine (well it was to my uneducated palate) wonderful meal Port and Brandy to follow led us to 10 mins prior to KO. Up to our directors box seating to rough it with the likes of Mancini and Platt spying on our boys in readiness for their expected walk over the following week, hee hee.
Half time can of pees (well I thought that's what they said) and a 50 quid flutter on the full time result. Full time, disappointing result but back to the room to meet Diddy David and Steve Sidwell and listen to a brief analysis by George on the game.

My 3-0 Fulham win bet went down the swanny but who cared, it was a day I'll never forget.

The 1966 World Cup team are rapidly becoming Treasured Relics.
If  you get the chance or win the lottery I thoroughly recommend an afternoon in our Georges company.

[mrska]

We met George Cohen at the Man City game..  he was the highlight of the day. So down to earth..  Fulham through and through..  Happily posed for pictures  and went 'off script'  and showed us what a great London boy he was.. 

Credit to the Club and country..

[alfie]

I met George a few times in my days there, him and Ray Wilkins must be the most gentlemenly (if that is a word) people in football i have ever met.

It was such a shame Ray did not quite make it as a manager, but i would love him back at Fulham in some capacity, he done an awful lot for Chelsea.

[Jimpav]

Lovely review Mr Fernhurst. I'm going to start saving for my 40th- gives me 9 years. By that point it might be Kasami or Geckov leading the team out. Thanks again.

[Snibbo]

Sounds like a great day.

Might start saving and do it for my 60th!

[jarv]

I will bear this in mind for one of my future trips back to UK. Sounds good.

[Fletchino]

How much nis it? sounds good I would like to do itn

[mrska]

How much nis it? sounds good I would like to do itn

I dont know Fletch.. i won the prize...

[Fletchino]

How much nis it? sounds good I would like to do itn

I dont know Fletch.. i won the prize...

Did you kick a ball from the corner flag to the centre circle??

[mrska]

How much nis it? sounds good I would like to do itn

I dont know Fletch.. i won the prize...

Did you kick a ball from the corner flag to the centre circle??

Ha ha  no..  we weren't allowed to tread on the pitch... It was the only thing we couldnt do that day..  Brilliant  and id reccomend the tour to anyone.

[Fernhurst]

How much nis it? sounds good I would like to do itn

Fletch, it varies on who we are playing but Home v Blackburn is possibly the cheapest option of the season and cost £300 per per person PLUS VAT (20%)

[Burt]

Thanks for sharing, Mr Fernhurst sir, sounds like a great day was had by all.

Great to see that the legend still plays such a role with the club, and by the sounds of it, he enjoys doing so too.

[finnster01]

Wonderful stuff. Thank you for sharing Mr Fernhurst.  :clap_hands:
Sounds to me like money well spent actually. Glad you all had a fantastic day out at the Cottage (except the result).

COYW!!