Saturday Fulham Stuff 09.05.15

[Friendsoffulham]

Family Excellence Award



Fulham have been named as one of the Football League Family Excellence Award winners for the 2014/15 season.

Created in 2007, the award recognises the outstanding experience provided by clubs for young fans and families as part of a scheme that won the Gold Award at the European Professional Football Leagues' Best Practice Awards.

A total of 42 clubs from across all three divisions of The Football League have achieved the award for 2015, with a significant increase in the benchmark standard being applied by the judging panel.

In announcing the successful clubs, Football League chief executive Shaun Harvey said: "The Football League Family Excellence Award gives clubs a standard to aspire to when planning their efforts to attract more families and young fans to their matches.

"It is hugely encouraging to see so many clubs receiving the accolade, demonstrating The Football League's ongoing commitment to securing the next generation of fans."

The award recipients are decided by an independent assessment using real families that has been commissioned by The Football League, at all 72 League clubs, during the 2014/15 season.

The Fulham game attended was our 2-1 defeat by Ipswich Town at Craven Cottage. Some of the highlights noted by the judges were the matchday guide email sent prior to the game, friendly staff, Billy the Badger greeting fans outside Craven Cottage, pre-match and half-time entertainment, and our use of social media.

http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2015/may/08/family-excellence-award

[Friendsoffulham]

Ross McCormack a good buy by Fulham but more needed next season

Fulham
Not as traumatic as 2013-14, when exited the Premier League, but could have been had they not got rid of manager Felix Magath in mid-September, when they sat bottom of the Championship.

Took a while to appoint caretaker Kit Symons permanently, in late October, and he started OK. A run of only two wins in 16 matches created concern but still easily avoided relegation by 11 points.

Ross McCormack proved a shrewd £11 million investment, with 19 goals. Same return for Matt Smith – one for Leeds United, 13 on loan at League 1 Bristol City and five back at Craven Cottage.

Read more at http://www.thesecretfootballer.com/articles/the-secret-journalist/25351/ross-mccormack-a-good-buy-by-fulham-but-more-needed-next-season/#MI6oEUFjIEvk3DXs.99

[Friendsoffulham]

Pompey Player on Fulham Radar!

If I had to guess how many players Fulham Football Club would be linked with purchasing between now and the next big kick-off in August, I`d say it`ll be between 30 and 40.

Today, Fulham are linked with a player who has impressed in League Two with Portsmouth this season.

The player in question is the Portsmouth midfielder, Jed Wallace and it would appear that Wolverhampton Wanderers are also interested in the player.

Unfortunately, we know very little about the player although if our interest is genuine then our biggest concern is whether the player can make the step-up from League Two to the Championship!

Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=399212#ixzz3Za9poBrd

[Friendsoffulham]

Fulham players shown the exit door by Kit Symons



Those staying in white got a fitness programme -  others told to find a new club

Fulham players no longer wanted were told to their face this week - although the club are hamstrung by any official announcement until July 1.

Contracts run out then, but manager Kit Symons admitted it was almost a case of 'ayes' to the right and 'nos' to the left after he got the entire squad in for a post-season briefing.

Those he wants to retain got a fitness programme through the summer - the others had a quite different interview.

"On Sunday all the boys come in," he said. "They got their programmes and what's expected of them close season so they come back in decent shape.

"Pre-season is massively important or you pay price January and February. I spoke to all of the squad, and yeah, I made them aware of our plans for next season."

On the danger list for an exit is Bryan Ruiz whose contract runs out, midfielder Adil Chihi, defender Kostas Stafylidis, Kay Voser, Gabor Kiraly, Richard Lee, Adam Taggart, Hugo Rodallega, Fernando Amorebieta, Kostas Mitroglou and Maarten Stekelenburg.

However, a fair number of the above are on deals that demand transfers or torn up contracts.

http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/fulham-players-shown-exit-door-9216169

[Friendsoffulham]

Picnic On The Pitch



On Tuesday 26th May, from 12 noon until 3pm, we are providing fans of all ages the opportunity to head down to Craven Cottage and enjoy a fun afternoon on our historic pitch.

Step through the Cottage tunnel, have your photo taken on the hallowed turf and score a penalty at the Hammersmith End, this really is a unique opportunity!

A number of activities will be available to enjoy on the day; including inflatables, balloon modellers, facepainters and a visit from Billy the Badger. What's more, you can set up your own picnic blanket on the grass and enjoy your own food and drink, or purchase from our Cottage Café.

Tickets are free and available on a first come, first served basis.

Supporters will be able to secure their tickets from Monday 11th May.

Make sure you don't miss out!

http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2015/may/08/picnic-on-the-pitch

[Friendsoffulham]

Coaching At The Cottage



Coaching at the Cottage returns on Monday 25th May!

Fulham FC Foundation are delighted to announce that the annual Coaching at the Cottage event will be taking place on Monday 25th May.

If your child is between the age of 3 and 14, they can have the opportunity to walk out on the hallowed turf at Craven Cottage for a 90-minute football session, delivered by our highly qualified coaching team.

They will take part in a number of football drills and have some small games during the session – while our club photographers will be on site to capture the whole experience!

Last year's event was extremely popular and places are limited. In order to secure your child's spot on the day, please book via our Fulham Soccer Schools website. For more information, you can also phone 0870 442 5432.

http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2015/may/08/coaching-at-the-cottage

[Friendsoffulham]

U21s' Final Challenge



Fulham Under-21s play their final game of the season tonight when they travel to face London rivals Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane (7pm).

The match will cap what has been a turbulent season for the young Whites, who reached the Semi-Finals of the Premier League International Cup but have suffered a recent drop in form, recording their last win on 7th April against Liverpool.

Spurs U21s have experienced an equally subdued run of results of late, having not won a game since 2nd March.

However, the Whites will have more at stake tonight as they fight a relegation battle with Everton and West Ham United.

In the last outing for the Whites against Chelsea at home on Monday, Adam Taggart scored Fulham's only goal in a 3-1 defeat. The Australian will be looking to sign off an injury-prone season with victory this evening.

http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2015/may/08/u21s-final-challenge

[Friendsoffulham]

Under-18s' Season Finale



Fulham Under-18s conclude their season on Saturday (11am) when they welcome Arsenal to Motspur Park in the Final Stage of the Barclays U18 Premier League.

The Whites have only won once in the Final Stage, but could end the campaign as high as fourth if they defeat their fellow Londoners.

The Gunners currently sit bottom of the group, having lost four of their six games played so far. Their previous outing saw them slip to a 2-1 home loss against Southampton.

The two teams met twice in the initial phase of the league earlier in the season, with Arsenal winning 3-2 at Motspur, before the Whites got revenge with a 3-0 win in North London three months later. Second half goals from Luca de la Torre, Jerome Opoku and Stephen Humphrys earned the win for the visitors.

http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2015/may/08/under-18s-season-finale

[Friendsoffulham]

Fulham players on borrowed time ahead of departure announcement



A host of Fulham players are on a danger list ahead of the club's official announcement regarding who is to be released this summer, according to Get West London.
hugo-rodallega-fulham-real-betis_3001297

Hugo Rodallega is among those who are set to leave the club

Even though the London side are yet to release the official list of players who will not be at the club next season, due to an agreement that the statement will be made on the 1st of July, there is said to be a danger list which highlights key players who could be shown the door.

On that danger list are the likes of Bryan Ruiz, Hugo Rodallega, Fernando Amorebieta and Kostas Mitroglou.

However, as the situation stands with a lot of the players at the club, the departures depend on whether players will see their contracts terminated by the club or whether they will be sold.

As reported by the same website, Greek striker Kostas Mitroglou is wanted by Turkish giants Fenerbache but the transfer would not involve any money, as they want to offer a player in exchange for the striker who has 19 goals for Olympiakos this season.

The destination of the other stars at Fulham are yet unknown but we can expect there to be many movements both in and out of the club this summer, as Kit Symons looks to take his side forward next season.

http://footballleagueworld.co.uk/fulham-players-on-borrowed-time-ahead-of-departure-announcement/

[Friendsoffulham]

Wolves and Fulham prepare summer move for emerging 21-year-old talent



Championship sides Wolverhampton Wanderers and Fulham are chasing Portsmouth star Jed Wallace, according to the Mirror.

The attacking midfielder who can also play on the right hand side, has scored an outstanding 17 goals from central midfield this season and is seen as one of the best emerging talents in the Football League.

At 21, the Englishman has a very bright future and looks set to become a regular player in the Sky Bet Championship.

Wallace's mature performances have attracted interest from Championship duo Wolves and Fulham.

Kenny Jackett's Wolves narrowly missed out on the play-offs this season, with the result going right down to the final day, and just missing out on goal difference was a big disappointment.

Fulham are looking to stop their rot after finishing in an extremely disappointing 17th place, accumulating 52 points, and Kit Symons will look to clear out their squad during the summer.

For Portsmouth it was an average season in League Two, and they'll hope to keep Wallace in order to push back up the table.

Pompey finished in 16th place in Sky Bet League Two having amassed 57 points, whilst Wolves finished in seventh, amassing 78 points.

http://footballleagueworld.co.uk/wolves-and-fulham-prepare-summer-move-for-emerging-21-year-old-talent/

[Friendsoffulham]

Reading and Fulham set to travel for talks with Portuguese star

Representatives from Reading, Ipswich Town, Blackburn Rovers, Charlton Athletic and Fulham have travelled for talks to sign Porto B defender David Bruno, according to O Jogo.

The Championship quintet have travelled to Manchester, where Porto B are staying for a match against Manchester City's youngsters.

Get Reading linked Reading with a move for the defender a few months a go but it now seems they now have competition for.

The Portuguese can play at right-back or in centre-back, so he would undoubtedly add a new dimension to the defensive options of a club he joined.

German giants Borussia Monchengladbach are also chasing the 23-year-old, and the lure of Bundesliga football could prove too much for the talented youngster.

Steve Clarke's Reading finished in 19th place in the Sky Bet Championship having amassed 50 points, Fulham 17th having accrued 57 points, Ipswich 5th on 78 points, Charlton ended up in 12th, accumulating 60 points and finally Blackburn in 10th making  67 points during this term.

http://footballleagueworld.co.uk/reading-and-fulham-among-clubs-travelling-for-talks-with-portuguese-star/

[Friendsoffulham]

Special Agent Lovebite gives Middlesbrough advantage



An injury-time goal from Fernando Amorebieta has given Middlesbrough a 2-1 win in the first leg of their Championship playoff tie against Brentford at Griffin Park this evening.

Fernando Amorebieta of Middlesbrough (29) scores their second goal during the Sky Bet Championship Playoff semi-final first leg match between Brentford and Middlesbrough at Griffin Park on May 8, 2015

The visitors were on the attack early on as Lee Tomlin tried to pick out Patrick Bamford from a corner, but the team's top scorer could not stretch high enough to nod it in.

The Bees soon started to look the more likely though as they shouted for a penalty when Dean Whitehead appeared to handle the ball, only for their appeals to be waved away, while Alan Judge saw his long-range effort tipped onto the post by Dimitrios Konstantopoulos.

However, it was Aitor Karanka's side who broke the deadlock midway through the first half as Adam Clayton crossed the ball in for Jelle Vossen, leaving the on-loan striker to head it past David Button.

Jelle Vossen of Middlesbrough celebrates as he scores their first goal during the Sky Bet Championship Playoff semi-final first leg match between Brentford and Middlesbrough at Griffin Park on May 8, 2015

The Belgian thought that he had added a second shortly after when he tried to turn the rebound in after Button denied Tomlin, but the officials ruled that it did not cross the line before the keeper recovered.

James Tarkowski came close to getting the scores back on level terms just before half time after winning a free kick, but his header from the resulting set piece was just wide of the post.

Mark Warburton's side continued to push for an equaliser at the start of the second half with Andre Gray slicing the ball high from inside the box just a few minutes after the restart.

Gray did not miss moments later though as a poor clearance from Konstantopoulos was chased down by the striker, leaving him to curl the ball in from a tight angle.

The former Luton Town forward was involved again a couple of minutes later, rounding a couple of defenders as he cut inside, but he could not keep him finish down, firing high.

Albert Adomah tried to put the visitors back in front with just over an hour played, cutting in from out wide before unleashing a powerful finish from the edge of the box, but Button was just able to palm it clear.

Konstantopoulos had to remain alert down the other end just two minutes later though as Brentford looked to edge in front for the first time, but the Boro keeper denied Jonathan Douglas at full stretch.

The home side looked the more likely in the final 10 minutes, with Adam Forshaw giving away a free kick just outside the box, but Alex Pritchard's delivery failed to clear the wall.

However, the visitors edged back in front midway through six minutes of stoppage time as Amorebieta fired the ball towards goal on the half-volley following a corner, with a deflection leaving Button stranded, giving the substitute his first goal for the club.

The sides will meet again at the Riverside next week, with a place in the final at Wembley at stake for the winner.

http://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/brentford/result/result-amorebieta-gives-boro-advantage_221680.html