Sunday Fulham Stuff (21/07/13)...

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Fulham chase Liam Ridgewell?

West Bromwich Albion defender Liam Ridgewell could be offered the opportunity to move to Fulham, according to reports.

The 28-year-old has been at The Hawthorns for 18 months, making a total of 43 Premier League appearances.

However, according to the Daily Star, new Fulham owner Shad Khan has given manager Martin Jol permission to launch a bid for the former Birmingham City player.

The Cottagers are also interested in wantaway Baggies forward Peter Odemwingie.


http://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/fulham/transfer-talk/news/fulham-chase-ridgewell_94303.html

[WhiteJC]

 
Martin Jol impressed with Shahid Khan after first meeting

New Fulham owner Shahid Khan has met with manager Martin Jol for the first time during a stop-off on the club's pre-season training trip to Costa Rica.

Khan, who owns the Jacksonville Jaguars NFL team, bought the club off Mohamed Al Fayed last week ending the 84-year-old businessman's 16-year association with the Cottagers.

Jol and club captain Brede Hangeland were flown from Costa Rica to Jacksonville to meet the new owner on Friday and the Dutch manager is hoping to form a strong working relationship with his new boss.

"I'm delighted that Mr Khan has such a passion for football and has great ambitions for what we can achieve," he told the club's official website.

"A link with the Jacksonville Jaguars is very exciting and I know we're all looking forward to a successful future together.

"Mr Al Fayed was a fantastic chairman and I would like to publicly thank him for what he did for Fulham and the fans. Without him, the club would not be in this position so we all owe him a great debt of gratitude as he passes his custodianship over to Mr Khan."

American billionaire Khan was in London last week to complete the takeover but did not get chance to meet with Jol and will be present for the Cottagers' pre-season friendly against Deportivo Saprissa this weekend.

"The one regret from last week was leaving London without the opportunity to meet with Martin Jol or Brede Hangeland," he said.

"I'd like to take this opportunity to publicly welcome Martin and Brede, thank them for their commitment to Fulham and wish them the best as we begin our 13th season in the Barclays Premier League."

Hangeland has been with Fulham since 2008 and has played a key role in the club maintaining its Premier League status and reaching the Europa League final in 2010.

And the big Norwegian admits there was an air of excitement amongst the players as news of the takeover was revealed last week.

"This week we've been in Costa Rica for our pre-season training camp, where last weekend's announcement was greeted with much positivity and excitement," he said.

"We're only a few weeks away from the start of the new season, and we're very much looking forward to sharing the experience and journey with our new friends here in the States.

"We want to make it a campaign to remember for everyone involved."



http://www.london24.com/sport/fulham/martin_jol_impressed_with_shahid_khan_after_first_meeting_1_2288363

[WhiteJC]

 
Costa Rica to Jacksonville (and back)
   
It would appear that when summoned you go!

Rumours are in circulation that Martin Jol and Brede Hangeland departed our training camp in Costa Rica to fly to Jacksonville, in the USA, to meet our new owner Shahid Khan.

We`re sure that a variety of subjects were discussed with Mr Khan but we`re open to suggestion as to what you believe should have been the key topic of conversation!


Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=325501#ixzz2Zf4gWXCj

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham owner Shahid Khan has met with manager Martin Jol for the first time

According to reports in the Daily Mail, New Fulham owner Shahid Khan has met with manager Martin Jol for the first time during a stop-off on the club's pre-season training trip to Costa Rica.

Khan, who owns the Jacksonville Jaguars NFL team, bought the club off Mohamed Al Fayed last week ending the 84-year-old businessman's 16-year association with the Cottagers.

Jol and club captain Brede Hangeland were flown from Costa Rica to Jacksonville to meet the new owner on Friday and the Dutch manager is hoping to form a strong working relationship with his new boss.

'I'm delighted that Mr Khan has such a passion for football and has great ambitions for what we can achieve,' he told www.fulhamfc.com.

'A link with the Jacksonville Jaguars is very exciting and I know we're all looking forward to a successful future together.

'Mr Al Fayed was a fantastic chairman and I would like to publicly thank him for what he did for Fulham and the fans. Without him, the club would not be in this position so we all owe him a great debt of gratitude as he passes his custodianship over to Mr Khan.'

American billionaire Khan was in London last week to complete the takeover but did not get chance to meet with Jol and will be present for the Cottagers' pre-season friendly against Deportivo Saprissa this weekend.

It's all smiles at the moment, but Jol was under some pressure from the previous owner to improve results and it will be interesting to see how this new relationship develops.



http://www.footballtradedirectory.com/news/2013/july/fulham-owner.html?

[WhiteJC]

 
Full-time: Tamworth FC 3 Aston Villa XI 2

Former Fulham striker Richard Peniket scored twice and Tom Eckersley was also on target as Tamworth came from behind twice to beat Aston Villa's under-21s.

Tamworth started positively and could have led inside five minutes in. Richie Baker delivered a pin-point cross from right but influential skipper Duane Courtney headed just wide.

The Lambs, however, found themselves a goal down in farcical fashion within a minute, as Villa took the lead with an own goal out of nothing.

Keeper Cameron Belford failed to deal with Tony Capaldi's back pass and the ball rolled into the empty net.

The Lambs were almost level immediately as Jake Jones headed a Justin Richards cross wide.

Matt Regan also had a headed chance for the Lambs, from a Capaldi corner, as the open start to the game continued.

The Villa went close to adding to their tally on 16 minutes as Andras Stieber's 20 yard free-kick struck the side-netting.

Tamworth were enjoying some success with whipped balls into the penalty area and Jake Jones went agonisingly close to getting on the end of another dangerous ball on 23 minutes.

Villa were playing some good football on the counter and nearly went 2-0 ahead on 26 minutes. Jurrell Sellars' cross reached Callum Robinson, whose goal-bounded header was well saved by Belford. Richardho Calder was denied with his follow up.

Tamworth deservedly levelled on 29 minutes as another ball to the far post found Justin Richards, whose shot was tapped in on the line by former Fulham striker Peniket.

The Lambs pressed for another and Richards headed a Capaldi free-kick wide on 32 minutes while, at the other end, Robinson's fierce shot was saved by Belford.

Villa ended the half on top. The lively Sellars was denied by a fine last ditch tackle by Matt Regan and then saw a second effort go just wide.

Then, on the stroke of half time, Robinson saw a shot well saved by Belford and Stieber's follow up hit the bar.

Tamworth brought on Louis Harris for Lloyd Kerry at the start of the second half. Villa also rang the changes with Lewis Kinsella and Stieber replaced by Khlaid Abdo and Courtney Wildin.

The Lambs were nearly ahead with a minute of the restart as Richards turned inside Wildin but saw his shot blocked by the legs of Brad Watkins. Former West Bromwich Albion youth Richards then fired the rebound wide.

Both sides looked capable of goals and Abdo set up the lively Sellars for Villa's second on 49 minutes, a clever left footed flick inside the area.

That was Sellars' last action as he was replaced alongside keeper Watkins and Henry Cowans. Keeper Benjamin Siegrist, Daniel O'Brien and Thomas Zazrevic were the men to come on.

The excellent Robinson then fired over the bar after a clever jink on the edge of the area.

Tamworth boss Belford then replaced Courtney with Tom Eckersley on 56 minutes.

The Lambs went close to a leveller on 59 minutes. Richards' clever back heel released Evans down the right and his cross found Baker, whose header was excellently tipped away for a fruitless corner by Siegrist.

After a lull in proceedings, Peniket went close for Tamworth, but his shot lacked the necessary power.

Sub Harris then warmed the palms of Siegrist on 71 minutes and Jordan Rose saw an effort tipped over the bar moments later.

From the resultant corner, Eckersley headed home the 73rd minute equaliser for Tamworth.

Jones was replaced by Kaiyne Woolery and he was immediately in the action as he was adjudged to have been fouled by Wildin inside the penalty area.

However, Richards stepped up and saw the resultant spot-kick saved by Siegrist.

Tamworth were now well on top and Evans curled a free-kick just wide before Peniket gave the Lambs a 3-2 lead with a neat finish on 81 minutes.

Woolery then showed trickery on the edge of the area but curled an effort over the bar.

Peniket was replaced by former Villa favourite Darren Byfield as the game entered its final throes.



http://www.tamworthherald.co.uk/story-19547424-detail/story.html?

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham Ready To Sign Nigerian Forward Odemwingie

Fulham are said to be interested in a move for West Bromwich Albion pair Peter Odemwingie and Liam Ridgewell.

The Daily Star says Fulham owner Shahid Khan has sanctioned a move for West Brom's controversial pair – Odemwingie and Ridgewell.

Striker Odemwingie, 32, would cost around £1.5m, centre-back Ridgewell about £500,000.



http://www.afrikansoccer.com/2013/07/fulham-ready-to-sign-nigerian-forward-odemwingie/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham join Newcastle in £5million Darren Bent chase

PLUS: The Cottagers are keen on Tottenham midfielder Tom Huddlestone who may be free to leave White Hart Lane


Frustrated: Bent has played out a wasted season at Villa Park
Neville Williams

Fulham boss Martin Jol wants to table a bid for Darren Bent this week – and beat Newcastle to the England striker writes the Sunday People's Dave Kidd.

Jol met new Craven Cottage owner Shahid Khan this week and left confident that he can meet Aston Villa's £5million ­asking price.

The Dutchman has made the signing of an ­out-and-out ­goalscorer his priority this ­summer and has been ­pursuing Bent for some time – as first ­revealed by Sunday People Sport last year.

Jol worked briefly with Bent at Tottenham and knows the 29-year-old, ­despite a tough time at Villa, has been a proven goalscorer with five ­different clubs.

Newcastle chief Alan Pardew has also made Bent his No.1 transfer target, with the club yet to secure a major signing this ­summer.

Toon's controversial ­director of football Joe Kinnear has been charged with completing the ­signing. But it is believed that Bent would prefer a return to his native London – and he also has concerns that he may struggle to win ­acceptance on Tyneside as he is a former Sunderland favourite.

Bent may have to take a cut in his current £65,000-a-week Villa deal to move to either club, though – and that means Villa may have to pay the player the ­shortfall in his wages.

Fulham made three ­early ­signings this ­summer – Dutch keeper Maarten Stekelenburg, ­midfield man Derek Boateng, and Fernando Amorebieta to plug up their defence.

But Jol is ­desperate for a striker to play in front of Dimitar Berbatov and believes that Bent is the ideal man.

Jol's job is safe, despite Fulham's change of ­ownership, but he knows his side will need to make a good start to the new season.

Highly-regarded Fulham chief executive Alastair Mackintosh has survived the purge of club directors under Khan and will ­remain in his key ­boardroom role.

Fulham eye up Bent and Huddlestone

by Matt Law of the Sunday Mirror

Fulham are lining up a £5million bid for Aston Villa striker Darren Bent.

Newcastle have been chasing Bent, but now face a fight with Fulham after Shahid Khan took over the Cottagers.

Villa are understood to have relaxed their demands over Bent in order to find a buyer as soon as possible.

Fulham boss Martin Jol held talks with Khan over transfer targets, earmarking both Bent and Tottenham midfielder Tom Huddlestone.



Check out all the latest News, Sport & Celeb gossip at Mirror.co.uk http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/fulham-join-newcastle-5million-darren-2071175#ixzz2Zf7KRCrL
Follow us: @DailyMirror on Twitter | DailyMirror on Facebook

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Pre-Season Friendly: Deportivo Saprissa 2 Fulham 2 (pens 3-5)

Fulham have completed their tour of Costa Rica with a 100 per cent record after triumphing 5-3 in a penalty shootout over Deportivo Saprissa.

Hugo Rodallega scored the decisive penalty for Fulham, who were forced into a shootout after Saprissa scored the only goal of the second half to level the game at 2-2.

Fulham had earlier come from behind in Saturday's friendly at the Estadio Nacional de Costa Rica in San Jose with Costa Rican international Bryan Ruiz and Rodallega putting the English Premier League club ahead after Saprissa had opened the scoring in the 26th minute.

Having scored in the opening two fixtures of Fulham's tour of Costa Rica, Ruiz made it three goals in as many games to take his team level before Rodallega put the visitors ahead in the 39th minute.

Saprissa had the better of the opening quarter of an hour and deservedly took the lead when David Ramirez slammed a one-on-one opportunity past Fulham goalkeeper David Stockdale.

The hosts' lead lasted just three minutes before Ruiz collected a chipped pass from Rodallega, rolled away from his defender and scored.

And with six minutes left before half-time, Rodallega sent Fulham ahead when he headed Buomesca Tue Na Bangna's cross into the net.

Saprissa had the first goal-scoring chance after the break when Ramirez's overhead kick flashed wide of Stockdale's post and the home side eventually equalised in the 69th minute when Diego Estrada showed impressive skill to control a pass in the penalty area, found some space and drilled the ball home off the post.

Fulham failed to find a winner within the 90 minutes but eventually took victory with all five of their penalty-takers scoring in the shootout.



http://uk.soccerway.com/news/2013/July/21/pre-season-friendly-deportivo-saprissa-2-fulham-2-pens-3-5/

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham claim third win via a penalty shoot-out as Saprissa hold them in the 90

Fulham drew the final competitive 90 minutes of their Costa Rica tour but were able to beat Deportivo Saprissa on penalties.

David Ramirez gave the hosts the lead when he was put through and fired past David Stockdale.

Costa Rican Bryan Ruiz enjoyed another goal on his return to his homeland to level the scores.

Hugo Rodallega then gave the Whites the lead for the first time but Diego Estrada equalised with 20 minutes left.

Fulham failed to find a winner in the remaining time but all five penalty takers were successful.


http://www.london24.com/sport/fulham/fulham_claim_third_win_via_a_penalty_shoot_out_as_saprissa_hold_them_in_the_90_1_2288759

[WhiteJC]

 
Deportivo Saprissa 2 - 2 Fulham

New Chairman Shahid Khan watched Fulham make it a perfect record in Costa Rica as the Whites triumphed over Deportivo Saprissa on penalty kicks.

The Chairman made the journey over from Jacksonville, USA, to attend his first match since purchasing the Club and the Whites held their nerve to make it three wins in three games on tour.

Hugo Rodallega scored one, assisted one and converted the deciding penalty as Fulham netted five out of five in the shootout, with Ariel Rodriguez's miss proving fatal for Saprissa.

Fulham were given a scare by the team nicknamed 'The Monster', when David Ramirez forced his way through and added a powerful finish, much to the delight of the raucous home support.

The scoreline was overturned before the interval with Ruiz showing silky skills to equalise from Rodallega's pass, the Whites' stand-in Captain hitting his third goal in three games on tour.

The Colombian Rodallega then turned scorer, heading in Buomesca Na Bangna's superb cross after 39 minutes but a piece of individual brilliance from Diego Estrada after the break levelled it up.

Ruiz was given the honour of leading out the Whites for the first time, in the absence of Captain Brede Hangeland and Vice-Captain Dimitar Berbatov.

It was a special way for the Costa Rica National Team Captain to finish off the tour of his home nation, against his boyhood club's biggest rivals, having already scored two in two games.

And Fulham's number ten had the first sight on goal, shooting wide from an acute angle, as the Whites looked to stamp their authority on the match.

The San José outfit, inspired by a vocal pocket of hardcore supporters behind their goal, started with intensity, Sascha Riether and Fernando Amorebieta on the receiving end of some crunching tackles.

Playing at a high tempo, Saprissa worked David Stockdale on a number of occasions in the first half, one of which forced an outstanding, acrobatic fingertip save from Ramirez's header.

The Whites responded with intent, Na Bangna forcing a fine reaction save from keeper Donny Grant while overlapping on the left and collecting Ruiz's pass.

But it was the local side who made the breakthrough on 26 minutes, Ramirez timing his run between the Whites centre-backs to perfection and lashing the ball past Stockdale.

At this stage, the Monster seemed to be forcing Fulham on to the back foot, but the Whites offered the perfect reply when Rodallega's delightful chip was collected by Ruiz.

His marker was no match for Ruiz's trickery, going outside then in, before sliding the ball into the corner of Saprissa's net, only three minutes after falling behind.

The strike lifted the Whites, who began to put their opponents under more pressure, moving the ball quicker and stretching the play, a ploy which led to them taking the lead on 39 minutes.

Na Bangna arrived in acres of space on the left and delivered a dream cross for the leaping Rodallega to power a header past the helpless Grant.

However, there was no sign of Saprissa rolling over and their persistence paid off when the impressive Estrada's fine footwork opened up space for him to fire a shot in off the post on 69 minutes.

A more compact Saprissa made it difficult for Fulham to create opportunities in the second half, Rodallega and substitute Pajtim Kasami worked Grant but Saprissa held firm, which led to penalties.

Giorgos Karagounis, Ruiz, Riether and Ashkan Dejagah had already scored when Rodriguez leaned back and skied Saprissa's fourth spot-kick, leaving Rodallega to finish the job.

And finish he did, as Fulham completed the tour unbeaten, with three trophies and a very happy new Chairman.



http://www.fulhamfc.com/match-centre/2013_2014/friendly/deportivo-saprissa

[WhiteJC]

 
Memory Lane

From the past or present, each week we talk to a different Fulham personality. This Saturday, we catch up with former goalkeeper Jim Stannard.

When browsing through the list of Fulham's all-time record appearance makers, there are a plethora of names that hold legend status in SW6. Johnny Haynes is top, of course, while Eddie Lowe and Les Barrett appeared almost 1,000 times between them. World Cup winner George Cohen is fourth, and the ever-popular Les Strong comes in at nine.

The fact that men such as Bobby Robson, Tosh Chamberlain, Bedford Jezzard and Tony Gale are some way off the top 10 demonstrates how many loyal servants this Club has had. And the only goalkeeper to find himself in that upper echelon of appearance makers? Jim Stannard.

During two spells at Fulham, Stannard was between the sticks on no less than 430 occasions – comfortably more than Edwin van der Sar and Mark Schwarzer put together. It's understandably a record that means a lot to him.

"I have massive pride in that – it's a great achievement," Jim admitted to fulhamfc.com. "I don't know how many goalkeepers have made more appearances than me but there can't be many I wouldn't have thought.

"From my point of view, I've got to be proud because I spent 90 per cent of my career at Fulham. It will always be in my heart because it played such a big part in what I've achieved in the game so far."

Stannard was playing for South East Counties side Ford United (now known as Redbridge FC) when the move to Craven Cottage was mooted, although he confessed that he initially had doubts about signing at such a tender age.

"It came about when one of our coaches came to me and asked if I wanted to go to Fulham for a trial," he recalled. "I wasn't too sure because I was a young kid, but he dragged me into the car and we went down for the trial.

"I played a trial game which we won 6-0 or 7-0, did okay and Fulham asked me after the game what I do, if I was in work, things like that. I said I wasn't working so they told me to come down the next day at nine o'clock.

"So I went in and they put me on a non-contract working agreement. In those days you hadn't really heard of non-contracts in the pro level, but I was on one because I was only 16, and that's how it all started off."
The barrier between the young Stannard and first team football was daunting, not least because the occupant of the number one jersey at that time was another of our all-time great goalkeepers.

Gerry Peyton had been first choice at Fulham since midway through the 1976/77 season, but Stannard got his break when the Republic of Ireland international suffered a serious injury in January 1981.

"I had Gerry in front of me [in the pecking order] and I also had Perry Digweed," Jim explained. "Then there was also a young lad called Dougie Hatcher who was in front of me as well, so I was fourth choice really.

"I was very fortunate with the way things happened but Gerry had a very big influence because obviously he was an international at Fulham, and we got on very well. It was quite funny because Perry ended up going to Brighton and Dougie was out on loan, so Malcolm [Macdonald] put me in the first team because Gerry wasn't having the greatest of times.

"He just stuck me in and it all went from there. To be fair to Gerry, he gave me all the information I needed, and got me ready, so he was good to me at that age."

The 18-year-old 'keeper was in goal for the remaining 17 matches that season, but then only played twice over the course of the subsequent two campaigns. He shared the role with Peyton in 1983/84, but having found himself as firm second-choice the following season, he moved on to Southend United for a fee of £12,000.

He excelled with the Shrimpers. So much so that when former teammate Ray Lewington – who was now Manager at the Cottage – went to buy him back a couple of years later, his price had more than quadrupled.

That era was an interesting time, to say the least, for Fulham. In his first two seasons back, Stannard helped the Whites to a mid-table and a fourth place finish in the old Division Three, before we flirted with relegation two seasons on the trot.

We survived, but it wouldn't be long before we found ourselves in the bottom tier of the Football League and in 1994 we were relegated despite winning 52 points. It wasn't the happiest time to be a Fulham fan.
"We had a lot of managers then," Jim said. "When Ray left we had Don Mackay, the old Bristol City manager Alan Dicks, and we had some bleak times. I don't think there was much money coming in – for a London club, we weren't getting the best crowds in the world. I don't know that much about the financial side of it but it did look a bit bleak.

"We didn't have any big names really at Fulham. We had a couple of decent seasons and then it went a bit bleak, but we rode that and I was there for many years to come. It will always be, in my memory, the greatest time of my life playing football."

Having been a part of a Fulham team that competed in the fourth tier against the likes of Darlington and Hereford United, Jim has the perfect perspective to appreciate truly how far Fulham have come.

Now 18 years on from his final game for the Club, we are preparing to embark on a 13th consecutive season of top flight football, and Stannard admitted great credit must go to our former Chairman for ensuring our establishment amongst the top teams in the country.

"I wish I was playing for Fulham now!" Jim joked. "Yeah, I mean it's magnificent isn't it? I think it all started off when Mr Al Fayed came in.

"I left for Gillingham and he came in a couple of seasons after and the Club's just gone from there. To be fair to Mr Al Fayed, he got the Club to where it is today – maybe the Club might not be there, it could be anywhere, but he came in, took care of it and that saw them go on to achieve greater things, because of what happened many years ago.

"Everybody does their little bit for the football club and you just want it to progress until it can progress no further. The new owner's come in now and he'll want to push it onto a different level. Hopefully Fulham can eventually push on to the challenge further up the table."

A popular man with the Whites supporters, Stannard was well received when he returned to the Cottage as a coach with Southampton on Boxing Day of last year, and the 50-year-old admitted his pleasure at the fact a bond still exists between himself and the fans.

"Whenever I go to Romford borough market there's these two Fulham supporters from years ago," he explained. "And every time I go down to that market they shout out 'He's worth a million pounds, Jim Stannard.'
"I had a great relationship with the fans. It worked both ways, I used to get my share of stick, but I probably had more good games than I had bad games so, when that happens, you get respect from the supporters.

"I was there for 14/15 years and the supporters were just magnificent. They were terrific and great to me during my time there. Even when I retired if I went somewhere and saw a Fulham supporter, they're so grateful for what you did for the team in those days.

"It was bleak and it was hard, and now you see the other side of it where the team has come so far forward, which is great. But that's history – the club moves on, you get better players and that's what happens."

Stannard was an unfortunate casualty at Southampton earlier this year when Nigel Adkins was dismissed as manager at St Mary's, and the goalkeeping coach explained that it can be a harsh environment out there when searching for work.

"I've gone from Southampton in the Premier League to not having a job," he said. "It's very hard out there. There are a lot of people working for me, trying to get me a job, trying to get me back into the game.

"You still have to earn a living – I'm doing a little bit for Dagenham part-time, helping out Wayne Burnett, and I'm helping Dean Holdsworth out at Chelmsford. So it's one of those where, no disrespect, but it's got to pay the bills. You've got to do what you've got to do. If one day I got the opportunity to go back to Fulham and coach then that would be great as it's a great Club."

Jim did an interview for the Cult Heroes section of the official matchday programme last season and was asked for his opinion on his 'goal' he scored for the Whites in a 3-2 win over Crewe Alexandra back in November 1989.

In that feature, Stannard unequivocally claimed the strike as his own despite the question of whether or not striker Andy Sayer got the final touch on his long kick downfield before it crossed the line.

It almost seemed redundant asking him whether or not it's worth debating whose goal it was...

"No, it's never debatable!" Jim insisted. "I've seen a picture of it and Andy Sayer toe pokes it in about a yard over the line. That's centre-forwards for you, though, they never want to give any goals away."



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2013/july/20/memory-lane

[WhiteJC]

 my thanks to KCat for finding this...

Furry fever! North London secure the city's bragging rights with convincing victory in the MailOnline Mascot Derby

North London made history on Friday night as they became the first team to defend the MailOnline Sport Mascot Derby.

The Kia Oval was more like a gladiators' coliseum as a packed crowd roared on their furry friends during the interval of Surrey Lions vs Hampshire Royals.

Caesar the Lion's tail was almost set alight by the pre-race pyrotechnics but it was his Middlesex rival, Pinky the Panther, who lit up the third annual race.

Scroll down to watch the MailOnline Sport Mascot Derby...

Backdrop: London's finest mascots are roared on by the Surrey crowd

Pile on: Mischevious mascots disrupt the race with some fooling around

It was an opportunity to settle old scores and the tension levels were almost unbearable as local rivals came face to face in the dressing rooms.

Chirpy the Cockerel of Tottenham was teamed up with Bubbles and Hammerhead of West Ham while Billy the Badger of Fulham was allied with Jude the Cat of QPR.

The race was delayed as Jude the Cat went in search of the nearest food outlet and he looked like he had eaten one too many burgers as Team South faltered early on.

Highlights from the Mail Online Sports Mascot Derby at the Oval


Taking to the field: Mascots get ready for the big race at The Kia Oval


Losers: Team South try to look glum in defeat

After his fair share of criticism before the race, it was Bubbles the Bear who crossed the Mail On-Finish-Line into the arms of his victorious team-mates.

Team North captain, Pinky the Panther, said afterwards:

'This is a glorious day for North London and we are worth winners.

'It was a tough race but there was never any doubt who was going to win this one.'

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/07/20/article-2371431-1AE77871000005DC-76_634x425.jpg
Perking up the fans: Chirpy the Cockerel greets supporters


Local rivals: Jude the Cat and Billy the Badger settle their differences before the race


Fans' favourites: Harley Bear Hammerhead and Bubbles the Bear pose with supporters

RUNNERS AND RIDERS...
TEAM NORTH: Pinky the Panther (Middlesex), Theo the Wyvern (Leyton Orient), Chirpy the Cockerel (Tottenham), Sarrie the Camel (Saracens), Hammerhead (West Ham), Bubbles the Bear (West Ham)
TEAM SOUTH: Caesar the Lion (Surrey), Harley Bear (Harlequins), Jude the Cat (QPR), Billy the Badger (Fulham), Harley Womble (AFC Wimbledon), Octopus Investments, The FA Cup


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/cricket/article-2371431/North-London-ease-victory-MailOnline-Mascot-Derby.html#ixzz2ZfbbCrNp
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