Thursday Fulham Stuff (27/05/10)

[WhiteJC]

http://www.thestar.co.za/index.php?fArticleId=5487967
a hero's send-off Socceroos first to arrive
May 27, 2010 Edition 4

THE Australian soccer squad last night became the first of the visiting World Cup squads to touch down at OR Tambo International Airport.

The Socceroos, as they are known, held a brief session for photographers and TV crews, but there were no interviews, before they were whisked off to the squad's headquarters in Joburg's northern suburbs.

Meanwhile, Brazil - one of the teams favoured to win the first World Cup on African soil - were given a frenzied farewell when they flew out to South Africa. They were expected to land at about 6am today.

The five-time world champions will stay at a hotel in Randburg.

Brazil's passion for football meant that the country's banks could close when the national team played in the World Cup, the country's central bank said yesterday.

"On those days, uninterrupted working hours will not be obligatory in the agencies of banks and savings institutions."

The measure was not only to allow football-mad bank staff to catch the live broadcasts, but also "to avoid security lapses" in the banks and armoured cash transport.

The Selecao, as the Brazilian football team are popularly known, will play two matches in Joburg in the group stage - against North Korea at Ellis Park on June 15 and against Ivory Coast at Soccer City on June 20.

Brazil's final Group G match, against Portugal on June 25, will be played in Durban.

Australia's Dutch coach, Pim Verbeek, said before the squad's departure from Australia that they would waste no time and start training within 24 hours of their arrival.

Australia have arranged World Cup warm-up games against Denmark on June 1 and the US on June 5, before tackling Germany, Serbia and Ghana in what is regarded as one of the toughest of the eight opening-round World Cup groups.

Spearheaded by prolific Everton goalscorer Tim Cahill, Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer, former Leeds United and Liverpool star Harry Kewell, and captain Lucas Neill, the 28 players who arrived last night are based mainly in England and other European countries.

Verbeek axed Middlesbrough striker Scott McDonal and former Crystal Palace midfielder Nick Carie from his initial squad after the Socceroos beat New Zealand 2-1 shortly before they left for South Africa.

The coach will have to trim his squad further, to 23 players, by Monday - the final cut-off date as decreed by Fifa. - Sapa-AFP

[WhiteJC]

http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/May/BadgersChinaClub.aspx?
The China Club

There was a wonderful treat in store for the Fulham Badgers team on day three of their trip to Hong Kong. The team was invited to a lunch hosted by Sir David Tang at his exclusive China Club, a shanghai-style restaurant in the central district of the city, where a sumptuous meal was served.

The breathtaking panoramic views of the city from the balcony of the China Club provided the perfect setting for a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon.

Sir David Tang is President of the Hong Kong Down's Syndrome Association and a number of executive members of the organisation also attended the lunch. As a special thank you to Sir David Tang, professional jazz musician and composer, Tim Whitehead, played a song for him on his saxophone.

After lunch, there was a short distance journey west across the city to visit the Nesbitt Centre, a residential centre that provides English speaking educational programmes for adults with learning disabilities. The Badgers met with some of the Centre's residents and were given a guided tour of the venue.

Many of the Nesbitt Centre's core values of working together in the community, promoting integration and fostering a positive environment are values shared by the Fulham Football Club Foundation. The visit was also a wonderful opportunity for employees of both of these charities to show mutual appreciation for the positive work carried out within the respective communities they each serve.

Before nightfall descended on what has so far been a fabulous three days, the group was spilt into two with some people choosing to go sightseeing and exploring other parts of the city and the other group taking in some horse racing action for an evening meeting at Hong Kong's well-known Happy Valley racecourse with an impressive backdrop of the night city.

Hong Kong FC's stadium now awaits the Fulham Badgers for tomorrow's tournament and feelings of excitement and anticipation occupied the team as the day drew to a close.

Community Development Manager for the Fulham FC Foundation, Rebecca Dance, said:

"Players, parents and staff have had a brilliant day today and are thoroughly enjoying their whole Hong Kong adventure.

"Thanks to the hard work of everybody over the past four months, this trip has been an amazing achievement for us as a Foundation and Disability Sport as a whole.

"Off the back of such a successful trip, we hope to be able to get involved in more, similar rewarding projects."

Down's Syndrome Association Corporate Manager, Patricia James, added:

"The Badgers and their parents have got so much out of this visit both on and off the pitch. It's through partnerships like these with Fulham Football Club Foundation that we're able to provide such amazing opportunities that help young people with Down's syndrome live full and rewarding lives.

"It's the first time any of our DSActive teams have had the chance to travel abroad on tour and they are certainly all enjoying the once in a lifetime experience. Through the Badgers' positive experiences we hope to encourage even more players with Down's syndrome to get involved in our DSActive progamme which is open to anyone with Down's syndrome between the ages of 5 and 25."



Read more: http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/May/BadgersChinaClub.aspx?#ixzz0p8zlLrrM

[simplyfulham]

Read in the metro today Fulham were having a look at Aiden Mcgeady.

Not sure how reliable the Metro transfer gossip section is, but wondered if the mighty WhiteJC had found any such info on his wirelessly charged adventures on the web?

(would love it to happen though..)