On the bus to the game wiping away a few tears

[dannyboi-ffc]

Thats right, dont judge me. I'm a grown man with tears in my eyes, goosebumps and a shiver running down my spine and before anyone starts there is no one sitting behind me. Its because I just watched the highlights of the Hamburg semi on my phone and it brought back wonderful memories.

I will never understand what goes through a poor managers head, nor will I ever warm to our distant billionaire like I did to Al Fayed but this club is family to me. How could anyone stop loving fulham? I know I certainly cant.

I will be there tonight as always, I've already set my alarm clock for 3.30am to get up for my shift (not the best nights sleep when driving a bus in the dark) but fulham always comes first somehow. It may seem like I moan at the players all the time and I may dislike the management style but when we are down to the bottom of the barrel staring into league one I still cheer, I still celebrate but for the CLUB. It wont always be this way and optimism is the key recipe to happiness. Always have a goal to strive for, always have something to believe in. Just like those who fought for me and future generations of fulham in darker days than this. Its my duty to do the same now, its my turn to show the commitment and loyalty. I understand totally why others cant and theres no manual for how to deal with failure or how to support your club but this is my way. As the woman from love actually and eastenders once sang "this is my moment!" I wont let you down fulham, lads its over to you to show me you will do the same.

So no matter what these people throw at me, no matter how thin my patience levels become I will never stop loving you fulham.

COYW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[LBNo11]

...carry on weeping, I never tire of reading this commentary that night:-

"And now you've gotta believe it; A night beyond compare. Old father Thames has never seen the night. Hamburg will host the final; Fulham will play in it. What an achievement for Roy Hodgson. What an extraordinary achievement for Fulham. A level of success that this lovable, once quaint club, could never previously have dreamed of. Hamburg's collective dream is shattered, their party is crashed.

Their stellar striker cannot credit it, whilst Fulham in a blur of self-congratulation, parade in front of 25,000 West Londoners, many of whom thought they would never live to see the day. This is special, yeah we get to work on the champions in this league a lot, we see some big games and we get some special moments, but this is really, really special. What a team, what heart, what character, what spirit, what an attitude they've got, wonderful. Roy Hodgson, manager of the year? He has to be, every chance.

This is Fulham, this is the team that knocked out the holders; Shakhtar Donetsk. This is the team that knocked out the competition favourites, Juventus. This is the team that have knocked out two major German forces in a row, and that have knocked out the hosts. This is the team that went into the ring with Roma, came out bruised but alive. This is a team that have played 18 games in Europe, that became this campaign 10 months ago, and which will play a 19th game in the final of the Europa League. They were there. This is Fulham's greatest night. This is certainly Craven Cottage's greatest night. It is a lap of honour which might go in the early hours.

Try stopping John Pantsil. Try sending them home. He's on his own personal lap of honour John Pantsil, there he goes. He's still at it. The London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham is the place to be tonight. There isn't a club there isn't a pub there isn't a party in the land that you would rather be at. This is fresh, this is new, this has never happened before. Fulham the 17th different English club to reach a major European final.

You think about Villa, Chelsea and Everton and all those who've gone before; Manchester city, Manchester united, Liverpool. But none has enjoyed such disbelieving joy as Fulham enjoy now. This is Fulham for heaven's sake. This is a club which 15 years ago didn't have two brass farthings to rub together, which used to play in front of 3 or 4000 rattling around here. Which once played on a night in Rochdale needing points to stay off the bottom of the league. But which were brought by a very rich man, and there he is. And which has now become a hugely enriched club. Clint Dempsey amongst the heroes"


Weep on brothers and sisters...

[Wearethewhites]

I booed me eyes out in the ground, don't worry about it.

[Artful Dodger]

I was watching on tele on my own up in Yorkshire and it is still the only time I have genuinely had tears in my eyes over a game of football, so can't imagine what it would have been like to be there. 5 years on, you wouldn't believe we would be feeling thankful for a point at Charlton to edge us closer to safety in the Championship!

[jms]

Don't start me off ! The most precious sporting memory of my life.....there was a tidal wave of happy tears that night. I could hardly breathe.

[Jonaldiniho 88]

Count myself very lucky to have been to those cup games under the lights and go to the final. Just remember leaving the ground and the streets were packed with fans chanting. That hasn't happened for a while now. Still I was lucky to experience it once.

[Bill2]

A lovely post and very true. I probably enjoyed the 2010 run more than the 1975 run, although going to Wembley was rather special.

[dannyboi-ffc]

...carry on weeping, I never tire of reading this commentary that night:-

"And now you've gotta believe it; A night beyond compare. Old father Thames has never seen the night. Hamburg will host the final; Fulham will play in it. What an achievement for Roy Hodgson. What an extraordinary achievement for Fulham. A level of success that this lovable, once quaint club, could never previously have dreamed of. Hamburg's collective dream is shattered, their party is crashed.

Their stellar striker cannot credit it, whilst Fulham in a blur of self-congratulation, parade in front of 25,000 West Londoners, many of whom thought they would never live to see the day. This is special, yeah we get to work on the champions in this league a lot, we see some big games and we get some special moments, but this is really, really special. What a team, what heart, what character, what spirit, what an attitude they've got, wonderful. Roy Hodgson, manager of the year? He has to be, every chance.

This is Fulham, this is the team that knocked out the holders; Shakhtar Donetsk. This is the team that knocked out the competition favourites, Juventus. This is the team that have knocked out two major German forces in a row, and that have knocked out the hosts. This is the team that went into the ring with Roma, came out bruised but alive. This is a team that have played 18 games in Europe, that became this campaign 10 months ago, and which will play a 19th game in the final of the Europa League. They were there. This is Fulham's greatest night. This is certainly Craven Cottage's greatest night. It is a lap of honour which might go in the early hours.

Try stopping John Pantsil. Try sending them home. He's on his own personal lap of honour John Pantsil, there he goes. He's still at it. The London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham is the place to be tonight. There isn't a club there isn't a pub there isn't a party in the land that you would rather be at. This is fresh, this is new, this has never happened before. Fulham the 17th different English club to reach a major European final.

You think about Villa, Chelsea and Everton and all those who've gone before; Manchester city, Manchester united, Liverpool. But none has enjoyed such disbelieving joy as Fulham enjoy now. This is Fulham for heaven's sake. This is a club which 15 years ago didn't have two brass farthings to rub together, which used to play in front of 3 or 4000 rattling around here. Which once played on a night in Rochdale needing points to stay off the bottom of the league. But which were brought by a very rich man, and there he is. And which has now become a hugely enriched club. Clint Dempsey amongst the heroes"


Weep on brothers and sisters...

The wisest most wonderful words ever spoken by a football commentator. He made it even more special than it probably seemed to most neutrals, 25,000 fulham fans lost for words and somehow he described on the spare of the moment exactly how we felt and what it meant. That takes an incredibly talented commentator to do that.

The time of my life up there with my kids births and no doubt my wedding day in a couple of weeks. And I'm honoured to have shared it with you guys

[Forever Fulham]

Ahhh.  You folks just made my day.  Thanks for that.

[Plodder]

Thats right, dont judge me. I'm a grown man with tears in my eyes, goosebumps and a shiver running down my spine and before anyone starts there is no one sitting behind me. Its because I just watched the highlights of the Hamburg semi on my phone and it brought back wonderful memories.

I will never understand what goes through a poor managers head, nor will I ever warm to our distant billionaire like I did to Al Fayed but this club is family to me. How could anyone stop loving fulham? I know I certainly cant.

I will be there tonight as always, I've already set my alarm clock for 3.30am to get up for my shift (not the best nights sleep when driving a bus in the dark) but fulham always comes first somehow. It may seem like I moan at the players all the time and I may dislike the management style but when we are down to the bottom of the barrel staring into league one I still cheer, I still celebrate but for the CLUB. It wont always be this way and optimism is the key recipe to happiness. Always have a goal to strive for, always have something to believe in. Just like those who fought for me and future generations of fulham in darker days than this. Its my duty to do the same now, its my turn to show the commitment and loyalty. I understand totally why others cant and theres no manual for how to deal with failure or how to support your club but this is my way. As the woman from love actually and eastenders once sang "this is my moment!" I wont let you down fulham, lads its over to you to show me you will do the same.

So no matter what these people throw at me, no matter how thin my patience levels become I will never stop loving you fulham.

COYW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Love the passion - just a bit worried about getting on whatever bus you're driving tomorrow morning, what route number are you? - but great post.

[PokerMatt]

Oh my what a night.

[Woolly Mammoth]

Thats right, dont judge me. I'm a grown man with tears in my eyes, goosebumps and a shiver running down my spine and before anyone starts there is no one sitting behind me. Its because I just watched the highlights of the Hamburg semi on my phone and it brought back wonderful memories.

I will never understand what goes through a poor managers head, nor will I ever warm to our distant billionaire like I did to Al Fayed but this club is family to me. How could anyone stop loving fulham? I know I certainly cant.

I will be there tonight as always, I've already set my alarm clock for 3.30am to get up for my shift (not the best nights sleep when driving a bus in the dark) but fulham always comes first somehow. It may seem like I moan at the players all the time and I may dislike the management style but when we are down to the bottom of the barrel staring into league one I still cheer, I still celebrate but for the CLUB. It wont always be this way and optimism is the key recipe to happiness. Always have a goal to strive for, always have something to believe in. Just like those who fought for me and future generations of fulham in darker days than this. Its my duty to do the same now, its my turn to show the commitment and loyalty. I understand totally why others cant and theres no manual for how to deal with failure or how to support your club but this is my way. As the woman from love actually and eastenders once sang "this is my moment!" I wont let you down fulham, lads its over to you to show me you will do the same.

So no matter what these people throw at me, no matter how thin my patience levels become I will never stop loving you fulham.

COYW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

First of all you should not be slicing onions whilst driving a Route Master.
Secondly does London Transport know you drove one of their vehicles to a football match tonight.
Thirdly. Please explain why you have a Bus Lane in your Driveway at home.

[MGBadrock]

What is the link to viewing these highlights? I'd love to relive it

[Jonaldiniho 88]

I suppose if fans can balance disappointment with memories like these you will have a loyal fan base. Unfortunately we have nothing but jump on a slide ever since but a good promotion push next season  may bring these memories to the front of our minds again. Not that playoff success would equal those days but tell me your son, nephew or grandad who watched us climb back to the PL wouldn't forget it in a hurry. Here's hoping COYW

[LBNo11]

What is the link to viewing these highlights? I'd love to relive it

...sadly the football authority that is EUFA has banned all links on youtube and vimeo etc., so that the real fans cannot relive such glories. Maybe in time they will issue an official DVD/stream, but as we're not a glamour team, don't hold your breath..!

[dannyboi-ffc]

There is a video you can watch. Just type in fulham vs hamburg in google and it comes up. Its about 11 mins long, only thing is it misses half.of the famous commentary but its still brilliant

[LBNo11]

...well done Danny, I couldn't see the woods for the trees:-


www.soccerhighlights.org Fulham Vs Hamburg 29/04/2010

[dannyboi-ffc]

...well done Danny, I couldn't see the woods for the trees:-


www.soccerhighlights.org Fulham Vs Hamburg 29/04/2010

Well done LB for putting up the link. Great Team Work!

[dannyboi-ffc]

Too much congratulating going on here for my liking. Everyone should be at every ones throats after that important and well deserved away point last night.

Its impossible to argue with someone like LB, even when you disagree you know deep down he must be right. You on the other hand.........