Saturday Fulham Stuff (01/07/17)...

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Was Ryan Sessegnon right to snub a Premier League move for Fulham stay? The wonderkids who made the leap

Ryan Sessegnon decided to pledge his immediate future to Fulham, turning down the advances of Tottenham and Liverpool to stay at his hometown club.

In an admirable move, the 17-year-old left-back was keen to keep playing first-team football rather than swap minutes for the glamour and riches of the Premier League.

Fulham won many plaudits last season for their swashbuckling style under manager Slavisa Jokanovic, and Sessegnon seemingly has no doubt that Craven Cottage is currently the best place for his development.

"Last season I got a lot of opportunities so I want to continue that," he said.

"When you are young you just want to play as many games as you can.

This decision to stay put certainly bucks the usual trend when young talents are targeted by the Premier League powerhouses.

We have picked out some examples of players who have decided to make the leap, and assessed the wisdom of their decisions...

John Bostock (Crystal Palace to Spurs)



Then: He became Palace's youngest ever player when making his debut aged 15 years and 287 days, but opted to move across London to Spurs in 2008 a few months later. The fee, settled at up to £1.25m, had to be decided by tribunal after a disagreement between the clubs.

What happened? The move to White Hart Lane was not a success, with Bostock never featuring in a Premier League game and making just a handful of Uefa Cup appearances. Loan spells at Brentford, Hull and others followed with little success, before a permanent move abroad to Royal Antwerp in 2013.

Bostock, now playing for RC Lens, was recently awarded Ligue 2 Player of the Season as he looks to rebuild his career on the continent.

Verdict: He could well be on the way back up the footballing pyramid, but Bostock should have retained faith in the club that had nurtured his talent.

Should have stayed

Patrick Roberts (Fulham to Manchester City)



Then: The striker was described by then-Fulham manager Felix Magath as "an extraordinary talent" and featured sporadically for the club in his teens. Manchester City came calling and, aged 18, Roberts was on his way north for a fee of approximately £12m.

What happened? Very little initially, apart from a couple of cameos off the bench for his new club. Six months later Celtic snapped him up on an 18-month loan deal in which Roberts scored 15 goals in 43 Premiership appearances.

The highlight of his career so far was a magnificent solo effort against his parent club Man City in a 1-1 Champions League draw.

Verdict: It looks likely that Roberts will leave Manchester this summer, with Celtic one of many clubs said to be after his signature. His stock has risen and, given the fee that Fulham scooped, this looks a good move for both player and club.

Right move

Jonjo Shelvey (Charlton to Liverpool)



Then: Shelvey became Charlton's youngest ever player in 2008, when manager Alan Pardew gave the schoolboy his debut having just turned 16. He scored seven league goals in the two following seasons, before a switch to Liverpool for an initial £1.7m.

What happened? He played a fair amount of Premier League football in his first season at Anfield, before a very successful loan spell at Blackpool was cut short due to an injury crisis at his parent club.

He never truly established himself in the first team on Merseyside, but has been successful at both Swansea and Newcastle since. Six England caps have followed and, while inconsistency and attitude problems persist, he has proven his worth at the top level.

Verdict: While his big move to Liverpool didn't work out, there is no doubting Shelvey's quality and he will surely be a Premier League player for years to come.

Right move

Grant Hall (Brighton to Tottenham)



Then: Centre-back Hall signed for Brighton from non-league Lewes but only made three appearances for the south coast club. He turned down a new three-year deal there to sign for Spurs.

What happened? He spent almost his whole Tottenham career out on loan. Spells at Swindon, Birmingham and Blackpool beckoned, and he left without much attention to sign for QPR in 2015.

Verdict: Hall is now an established Championship player and, although his Tottenham move was not a success in itself, it is hard to believe he would have any regrets.

Right move

Wilfried Zaha (Palace to Manchester United)



Then: The skilful winger burst onto the scene at Selhurst Park in 2010, cementing his spot as a key member of the team aged just 18. Zaha had amassed over 100 league appearances for Palace by the time Manchester United bought him in January 2013.

What happened? Sir Alex Ferguson had been the manager to sign Zaha, but by the time he arrived at the club in the summer of 2013 it was David Moyes in charge. He failed to settle and, after a brief stint at Cardiff, returned home to Palace.

Verdict: Zaha is now back to his best and has been linked to many of the Premier League's top clubs, but the move to Old Trafford took two crucial years out of his career and stunted his progression.

Should have stayed

Rob Holding (Bolton to Arsenal)



Then: Holding started at Bolton aged just seven and, except for one game on loan at Bury, had spent his whole career there until Arsenal signed him last summer for a snip at approximately £2m. The elegant defender had won Bolton's player of the season award aged just 19.

What happened? Due to injuries in Arsene Wenger's defence, Holding made his Premier League debut in the 2016-17 season curtain-raiser against Liverpool, but was sparingly used early in the campaign.

When Wenger switched to a back-three in the final couple of months he became a regular, especially impressing in the FA Cup Final win over Chelsea.

Verdict: So far, so very good. Holding looks like one of the best prospects in English football and the only party who may not be happy about this move are Bolton due to the transfer sum.

Right move

Patrick Bamford (Nottingham Forest to Chelsea)



Then: An academy team superstar at Forest, once scoring five goals and getting three assists in an FA youth cup 9-1 win over Wigan, Bamford only made two substitute appearances for the first-team before moving to Chelsea aged 18.

What happened? Eleven months after arriving at Stamford Bridge he embarked on a prolific loan spell at MK Dons. A good spell at Derby was then followed by a 17 goal-haul in the Championship for Middlesbrough.

Despite these scoring antics he was never given a chance in west London, and late spells away were less productive. A move back to Middlesbrough has, so far, failed to reignite his career.

Verdict: With no chance to prove himself at Chelsea, but an impressive loan record, one has to feel like Bamford could have been something special had he stayed at Forest.

Should have stayed

Kyle Naughton & Kyle Walker (Sheffield United to Tottenham)



Then: Full-back duo Kyle and Kyle were signed in a double swoop for a combined fee of £9m. Naughton had been a first-team regular at Bramall Lane with Walker as his understudy, but things were about to change at their new club.

What happened? Walker has gone from strength to strength, cementing his spot as England's starting right-back and is now being linked with a £40m move to Manchester City.

Naughton's stay in London was not as successful, but a move to Swansea in 2015 has ensured that he is a Premier League regular.

Verdict While their careers have maybe gone in different directions, there can be little doubt that their moves to Tottenham have been hugely beneficial to their careers.

Right move

Michael Woods and Tom Taiwo (Leeds to Chelsea)



Then: At just 16, Woods and Taiwo were central to a tapping-up scandal when Ken Bates accused his former club of approaching the young talents without permission. Eventually the London club had to pay £5m for their services, and they were put straight into the youth ranks at Stamford Bridge.

What happened? Predictably, neither player saw any league action for the club and are now plying their trade at Hartlepool and Falkirk respectively, having played for a variety of clubs in England and Scotland.

Woods did make it onto the pitch for Chelsea, replacing Frank Lampard in an FA Cup tie against Macclesfield Town.

Verdict: It's hard to say that this was a bad move for either player due to the level of coaching that they would have received at Chelsea, yet their stories are ones of untapped potential, and this may not have been the case had they stayed put.

Should have stayed

Carl Jenkinson (Charlton to Arsenal)



Then: Another Charlton academy graduate who looked to make a move early in his career, Jenkinson made just eight appearances for the club before moving to Arsenal, the team he supported, for £1m in June 2011 aged 19.

What happened? There was general confusion about the transfer seeing as the Finnish youth international had not been a prominent prospect at Charlton, yet he performed admirably when called upon by Wenger. In 2012 he even won an England cap under Roy Hodgson.

Two loan spells at West Ham followed and now, back at Arsenal, it is unclear what the future holds for the right-back.

Verdict: This was unquestionably a dream move for Jenkinson and, although his long-term future may not lie at The Emirates, it was certainly the correct decision to go.

Right move

Final Say

There is no doubt that an early move up the football pyramid has kick-started some young players' careers in the past, even if their long-term future has not been at the club they moved to.

The constant theme seems to be first-team minutes, with those who are dropped straight in the deep-end seemingly coping far better than the players loaned back out on arrival.

Given Sessegnon's status in the Fulham squad, and the form of Tottenham's Danny Rose, it looks like he has made the smart call by staying at Craven Cottage for the time being.




http://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/was-ryan-sessegnon-right-to-snub-premier-league-fulham-move-wonderkids-who-made-leap-a3576526.html

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Spurs to join Manchester City, Chelsea, Newcastle and Fulham in 2017/18 Checkatrade Trophy

Chelsea have also joined up again and are one of 12 top flight teams taking part with the draw to be held next month and the kick-off in the week commencing August 28

Tottenham have signed up to the Checkatrade Trophy for next season.

The Premier League giants join Manchester City, Newcastle United and Fulham as newcomers in the revamped competition.

Mirror Sport revealed on Thursday that City have signed up as the restructure - particularly with games being played in international breaks - works for their under-21 teams.

The invited under-21 teams will play their games away from home.

There are 12 top flight teams taking part with the draw to be held next month and the kick-off in the week commencing August 28.

Tottenham's involvement along with City is a major boost as both clubs have such a strong reputation for their academies with Spurs also bringing through a raft of first team players like Harry Kane and Harry Winks among others.

Tottenham Hotspur's Head of Player Development, John McDermott said: "We took the decision to enter the competition as it is beneficial for the Development Squad's scheduling this year.

"We know the Checkatrade Trophy will provide a massive challenge for us and we look forward to testing ourselves."
The new set-up includes:

Invited under 21 teams will play their Group games away from home;

Regionalisation until the Quarter-Final stage (improved from Round Two in 2016/17) to minimise overall travel time for Clubs and fans;

Flexibility of fixture dates to allow teams to schedule games outside of international weeks

EFL chief executive Shaun Harvey said: "I was delighted when EFL Clubs collectively backed the competition following a full and comprehensive review of last season's pilot format and we can see from the increasing interest from Category One Academies that the Checkatrade Trophy has genuine appeal.

"The competition provides a unique challenge to young players and seasoned professionals alike. I strongly believe players from League One and League Two clubs will look forward to taking on some of the country's brightest prospects, who will themselves learn a lot from participating in a first team competition.

"I want to thank EFL Clubs and the Category One Academies for their support. I believe the balance of the competition should benefit all sides and will make for some intriguing matches when the Group Stages get under way in August."

The under 21s teams taking part

Brighton & Hove Albion

Chelsea

Everton

Leicester City

Manchester City

Newcastle United

Southampton

Stoke City

Swansea City

Tottenham Hotspur

West Bromwich Albion

West Ham United

Fulham

Middlesbrough

Reading

Sunderland



http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/spurs-join-manchester-city-chelsea-10714352

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Checkatrade Trophy Involvement

Fulham will join fellow newcomers Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City, and Newcastle United in participating in the 2017/18 Checktrade Trophy.

Premier League Champions Chelsea will again take part and will be joined by 11 other Under-21 sides from England's top-flight as the country's leading Category One Academies look to pit their stars against professionals, young and old, from the 48 League One and League Two teams.

Four EFL Clubs will have Under 21 sides involved, with Sunderland, Middlesbrough, Reading joining Fulham in the Group Stage draw, which will take place in July with the first round of fixtures scheduled to take place week commencing 28 August.

The announcement follows the overwhelming support of League One and League Two clubs to allow the continued involvement of 16 invited sides in the Checkatrade Trophy for the next two seasons, alongside several format amendments to provide increased flexibility in team selection for League One and League Two Clubs.



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2017/june/30/checkatrade-trophy-involvement

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From Charlton to Fulham, via Chelsea, Newcastle, West Ham and Tottenham - a tribute to Scott Parker

Our Fulham, Charlton, Newcastle, West Ham, Tottenham and Chelsea reporters share their memories of Scott Parker

Scott Parker announced his retirement from professional football this week, bringing an end to a 20-year career that saw him play for five London clubs, as well as Newcastle United.

Starting his career at Charlton, he then went to Chelsea, Newcastle, West Ham and Tottenham, before his final move took him to Craven Cottage and Fulham, where he captained the side before retiring after four years in west London.

He also captained England against Holland in 2012, before playing every game in the Euro 2012 tournament under Roy Hodgson before being knocked out by Italy in the quarter finals.

We asked our reporters from the teams Parker played for over the years for their memories of him - here's what they had to say:

Ryan O'Donovan, Fulham reporter for GetWestLondon

"Scott Parker defines what it means to be a footballer to me.

"Growing up, I'd watch Match of the Day and see Parker with his shirt tucked in and his black boots as he charged around the midfield, barking orders and leading from the front.

"Despite becoming a back up player at Fulham towards the end, he still led by example and his experience was there for all to see as he helped a young side to the Play-offs last season.

"The picture below, in the game against Leeds, is why I'll always be glad I saw Parker play - he never lost his competitive streak or will to win, despite not playing regularly at the club.

"He stayed at the club when others left at the lowest point, and for that he'll always be remembered fondly at Craven Cottage."


Still as passionate as ever: Scott Parker clashes with Kalvin Phillips (Photo: Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

Clive Youlton, Charlton reporter for KentLive

"A dynamic box to box midfielder, he was at Charlton Athletic from the age of eight and went on to become one of their best-known players.

"He signed pro at The Valley in October 1997 but didn't really play much for two years before a spell at Norwich City on loan sparked his career.

"He returned to Charlton, then in the Premier League, and took the place of injured Mark Kinsella, then becoming the linchpin of the Charlton midfield until 2004. I always felt his move to Chelsea for £10m was the wrong one in terms of playing career. He only played 15 times for the Blues, hardly getting a game, becoming a small fish in a very large pond having been so prominent at The Valley."

Oliver Harbord, Chelsea reporter for Football.London

"Eyebrows were raised when Scott Parker made the move from Charlton Athletic to Chelsea, especially for the price tag of £10m. That was a pretty hefty price tag back in 2004, and was one of the big-money targets that Roman Abramovich brought in after taking over the Blues.

"But Parker was never really given the chance to show what he can do for Chelsea, with just 11 Premier League appearances in the 2003/04 season and four in the following campaign.

"A broken metatarsal also didn't help his progress for Chelsea, and an influx of talent swarmed into the club which meant that there was no space for Parker to really burst through.

"However, Parker did have some effect with the club, with his obvious leadership abilities shown through the dressing room. That was highlighted by John Terry's farewell post on Instagram, saying: "An infectious desire to win and some of the best pre game speeches I have heard. A GREAT player and friend."

"That sums up Parker's personality, however Chelsea fans never really got to see the full extent of his abilities at Stamford Bridge."

Lee Ryder, Chief Sports writer for the Chronicle

"There was one point during Scott Parker's career at Newcastle that he'd ran himself into the ground so much that he passed out in front of the Press box!

"That was the type of player Parker was for the Magpies. He put himself about as we say up here.

"In another game against Manchester United he kicked a young Ronaldo from pillar to post. The fans loved it.

"He was capable of scoring the odd goal too and grabbed six goals during his time at United, the best against his old club Charlton at the Valley from 30 yards or more.

"He left Newcastle after what was then considered a bad season to finish mid-table. Glenn Roeder had appointed him captain in a season in which Newcastle lost Michael Owen to injury.

"Had Owen not been injured at the World Cup I am convinced the season could have been different.

"Newcastle made it to the last 16 of the UEFA Cup and Parker scored a goal that was then chalked off.

"It would have sent United into the last eight.

"It didn't - Roeder was fired a few weeks later and Parker would follow him soon after.

"Still, he's a player that is remembered for his battling skills."



Sam Inkersole, West Ham reporter for Football.London

"Scott Parker put in nothing but 100 per cent in a West Ham shirt, no question.

"In 2011 he was voted Footballs Writers Footballer of the Year in what many Hammers fans will agree was not one of the greatest squads ever assembled.

"Hammer of the Year for two years running in 2009 and 2010 as well as he forced his way back into the England set up, Parker was the epitome of what a West Ham midfielder should be.

"Some fans won't forgive him for leaving the club to join Spurs - sacrilege if ever there was - but his legacy will never be tarnished in claret and blue by the vast majority."

Alasdair Gold, Tottenham reporter for Football.London

"Scott Parker was a battler. That's what everyone in and around at Spurs will remember him as. He summed up Harry Redknapp's classic "triffic fella" mentality when it came to new signings.

"Parker was superb in his first season or so at the club, driving the team on, battling for everything and giving a platform for others to show off their skills. He may not have been the most spectacular of players, but he was a reliable, popular member of the team and an important voice on the pitch and in the dressing room.

"His legs started to go a bit in his final year, but he'll always be remembered fondly at the club. The news that he might be coming back as a coach in the academy has gone down well with the fans and if he can translate his grounded nature to many of those youngsters then they'll all have a brighter future for it."



http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/charlton-fulham-via-chelsea-newcastle-13257922

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Fulham chairman Shahid Khan pays tribute to model professional Scott Parker following player's retirement: 'My advice to anyone is to watch how he conducts himself'

    Fulham chairman Shahid Khan has sent a message to midfielder Scott Parker
    Khan believes all young and aspiring players should look to Parker's example
    The former England international announced his retirement this week, aged 36
    Parker had a long career, playing for the likes of Chelsea, Newcastle and Fulham

Fulham chairman Shahid Khan has sent a heartfelt message to recently retired midfielder Scott Parker, thanking him for all his hard work for the club and branding him an inspiration.

Parker officially announced he would be hanging up his boots this week at the age of 36 following an incredible 20 years in professional football.

The former England international has turned out for a host of clubs in his time, beginning his career with Charlton Athletic before moving on to the likes of Chelsea, Newcastle, Tottenham and Fulham.


Scott Parker received a heartfelt message from the Fulham chairman following his retirement

Bringing his time in football to a close with Fulham, the midfielder has been receiving an outpour of complements from his team-mates and coaching staff, both past and present.

Fulham chairman Khan wanted to pay a public message of thanks to Parker, and took to the club's social media account to issue a statement.

In the lengthy and heartfelt message, Khan wrote: 'My advice to people in football, and for that matter everyone beyond the game, is to watch how Scott Parker conducts himself in training, on the pitch, around his team-mates and in the community.


Shahid Khan believes youngsters should aspire to be like Parker, both in football and in life



'If you can aspire to the standards of Scott Parker, you'll have a promising future in whatever it is you want to do in life.

'I'll always be grateful for the influence he had on our people and club operations throughout his four seasons at Fulham, and I will cheer him and his family on in whatever adventure they choose next.

'Scott's a winner and will always be a friend of Fulham football club,' Khan added.

Issuing his own personal statement on his decision to retire, Parker had said: 'The decision to retire has not been an easy one for me but having thought long and hard over it, and having discussed it with those closest to me, I believe that now is the right time to move on to the next chapter in my life and career.'

The former England man is yet to announce what venture he will next pursuit in life, or whether he will remain involved in football in some form.

   
In a long career in English football Parker turned out for the likes of Chelsea and Tottenham




Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-4654280/Fulham-chairman-Shahid-Khan-pays-tribute-Scott-Parker.html#ixzz4lV097oI7
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Fulham linked with summer move for 26-year-old Swedish forward

Championship side Fulham have been linked with a move for AFC Eskilstuna forward Omar Eddahri, according to Swedish outlet Expressen.

The 26-year-old has been at the Swedish top-flight side since 2014 following stints at various other teams around the country, but appears to have finally found his feet at Eskilstuna.

Eddahri bagged nine goals in his first season at the club back in 2014 before adding six in the succeeding campaign, while last term he helped the side secure promotion to the Allsvenskan with eight goals and four assists in 22 league appearances.

And with three goals in his last five games for the club in the Swedish top-flight, he continues to go from strength-to-strength, and it's form which has reportedly attracted interest from Slavisa Jokanovic's Fulham, who came up short in their quest to return to the Premier League last season.

And it appears that their interest has been confirmed by Eskilstuna, with the club's director Azad Budak stating, when asked about Fulham's advances: 'What I can say is that there is interest from both Turkey and England. As well as a club in the Premier League.'

These comments are sure to intrigue Fulham supporters, who saw their side lose to Reading in the semi-finals of the play-offs last season, and will thus be hoping that their team bounce back with another promotion push next time round.

It has been reported that the Cottagers will send a scout to watch Eddahri this weekend when his Eskilstuna side face AFC Malmo, and with the 26-year-old out of contract at the end of the Swedish season in December, the Championship side may look to seek a move for the talented forward in the coming weeks and months.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/fulham-linked-with-summer-move-for-26-year-old-swedish-forward/

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Newcastle eye former Tottenham and Fulham midfielder


Lewis Holtby

Newcastle United could make a summer move for former Tottenham and Fulham midfielder Lewis Holtby.

According to the Mirror United are set to do battle with big-spending Bournemouth in a bid to land the German international from Hamburg. Holtby spent two years at White Hart Lane between 2013 and 2015.

Despite being described by then boss Andre Villas Boas as the "bargain of the century" following his £1.5million move from Schalke, Holtby failed to shine in North London. After a difficult first six months where he struggled to make an impact at first-team level, Holtby was sent out on loan to Fulham. The following season he was farmed out to Hamburg, where he later signed permanently. Since then he has rebuilt his reputation somewhat, making more than 60 appearances for the Bundesliga outfit across two seasons.

United boss Rafa Benitez is in the hunt for midfield reinforcements this summer, have been left wanting in that area at times during the Magpies Championship winning season. When suspensions and injuries hit the likes of Jack Colback and Isaac Hayden were forced to play through the pain barrier. Benitez has been frustrated with the lack of activity from United so far this summer - with just Christian Atsu nailed down, costing the club £6.2million. It is claimed that Holtby would cost in the region of £5million, although Eddie Howe's Cherries, who have just shelled out a remarkable £20million on Nathan Ake from Chelsea, as well as adding Jermain Defoe and Asmir Begovic to their ranks, are also keen on 26-year-old Holtby.




Read more at: http://www.shieldsgazette.com/sport/football/newcastle-united/newcastle-eye-former-tottenham-and-fulham-midfielder-1-8624970

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Transfer Talk: Fulham and Brentford express interest in Rennes prospect Stephane Diarra

The 18-year-old, who plays predominantly as a right midfielder or number ten, burst onto the scene in France last summer is being touted for a move within the continent.

Fulham and Brentford have expressed an interest in Rennes prospect Stephane Diarra, according to sources.

The 18-year-old, who plays predominantly as a right midfielder or number ten, burst onto the scene in France last summer is being touted for a move within the continent.

He is renowned for being left-footed but using his pace and trickery to cut in from the right flank to run at the heart of the defence.

Diarra made six appearances for Renne in Ligue 1 last season, providing one assist.

He is currently eligible to play for either France of the Ivory Coast.

The youngster signed a new contract just last week which runs until June 2020, but GWL understands the club would be willing to sell the prospect for a fee in the region of £600k.



http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/transfer-talk-fulham-brentford-express-13263029

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Former Fulham and Tottenham star Lewis Holtby linked with £5m move to Newcastle and Bournemouth

According to the Mirror, Newcastle United and Bournemouth are both keen on a deal to land the German international from Hamburg.

Former Fulham and Tottenham man Lewis Holtby has been linked with a return to English football.

According to the Mirror, Newcastle United and Bournemouth are both keen on a deal to land the German international from Hamburg.

Holtby was signed by then-Spurs boss Andrew Villas-Boas, and dubbed "the bargain of the century" following his £1.5m move from Schalke, but he failed to impress in North London.

He was then moved on loan to Fulham, before joining Hamburg on loan with a view to a permanent move.

The 26-year-old is expected to cost in the region of £5m.



http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/former-fulham-tottenham-star-lewis-13263430

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Who'd have thought it? If you support QPR, Fulham or Brentford you could be branded a glory hunter!
How many clubs out there have failed to taste any kind of glory in their histories?

If there's one thing that's likely to get you accused of being a glory supporter it's league success.

So the first set of clubs to get crossed off our list are those to have ever won the English top flight:

Arsenal, Aston Villa, Blackburn, Burnley, Chelsea, Derby, Everton, Huddersfield, Ipswich, Leeds, Leicester, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Newcastle, Nottingham Forest, Portsmouth, Preston, Sheffield United, Sheffield Wednesday, Sunderland, Tottenham, West Bromwich Albion and Wolverhampton.

And, while we're at it, a title push is also likely to get fans accused of glory hunting so we'll also get rid of clubs that have finished second in the top tier, which includes QPR:

Blackpool, Bristol City, Cardiff, Charlton, Oldham, Queens Park Rangers, Southampton and Watford.

That still leaves us with 60 clubs. Next we'll get rid of FA Cup winners.
There are eight teams who have won the famous trophy but who haven't won the league:

Barnsley, Bolton, Bradford, Bury, Coventry, Notts County, West Ham and Wigan.

There are another eight teams who have won the EFL Cup:

Birmingham, Luton, Middlesbrough, Norwich, Oxford, Stoke, Swansea and Swindon.

For many fans, simply getting into the top flight will be enough to see previously hidden fans come crawling out of the woodwork. We'll therefore eliminate another 11 clubs based on them having played at least one season in the top flight - that's where we lose Brentford and Fulham:

Bournemouth, Brentford, Brighton, Carlisle, Crystal Palace, Fulham, Grimsby, Hull, Millwall, Northampton and Reading.

Lower league clubs do have their own piece of silverware - the EFL Trophy (a.k.a. The Checkatrade Trophy). There have been eight winners of that cup which we've not already eliminated:

Chesterfield, Crewe, Doncaster, Mansfield, Milton Keynes Dons, Peterborough, Port Vale and Rotherham.

That leaves us with 25 current Football League clubs who've never really had a taste of glory:
Accrington Stanley, AFC Wimbledon, Barnet, Bristol Rovers, Burton, Cambridge, Cheltenham, Colchester, Crawley, Exeter, Fleetwood, Forest Green Rovers, Gillingham, Lincoln, Morecambe, Newport County, Plymouth Argyle, Rochdale, Scunthorpe, Shrewsbury, Southend, Stevenage, Walsall, Wycombe and Yeovil.

So if you support one of those teams, you have a legitimate claim to being a true football fan, with no question of glory hunting whatsoever.



http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/whod-thought-it-you-support-13265166

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Fulham Interested in Renne Player

The local West London media is suggesting that two clubs in our neck of the woods are interested in the same player.

The two clubs in question are Fulham and Brentford, with the player in question being Stephane Diarra.

According to Get West London, the Rennes player is tipped to leave his current club and move to England.

Diarra is a versatile player able to play as a right-sided midfielder or in the coveted #10 role.

A left-footer, the play troubles defences with his lightning pace and his ability to cut inside.

Last season, Diarra made six appearances in the French League. Although he is currently tied to a contract it seems a bid in the region of £600,000 could secure the services of a player who is, when it comes to the international scene, play for either the Ivory Coast or France.

Here at Vital Fulham we`ll keep an eye open for any further developments.




Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=496402#ixzz4lYcYBCS6

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Tickets On Sale

Tickets for each of Fulham's home matches in August and September will go on sale to Season Ticket Holders and Members at 10am on Monday.

The Whites kick off the 2017/18 Sky Bet Championship campaign against Norwich City at the Cottage, and also welcome Sheffield Wednesday, Cardiff City, Hull City and Middlesbrough to SW6 in the opening two months.

Ticket prices start from £25 for adults and £15 for juniors, and will be available to purchase on General Sale a week later.

Furthermore, Putney End tickets for every match – aside from Millwall, Queens Park Rangers, Brentford and Sunderland – are available to buy on General Sale from Monday 3rd July, too.




http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2017/june/30/tickets-on-sale

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Fulham Legends Sign Up For Star Sixes

Fulham legends Danny Murphy and Luis Boa Morte have signed up for Star Sixes, joining up with the England and Portugal teams, respectively.

The world's greatest players will reunite in the brand new legend's world cup 6-a-side football tournament at The O2 in London this July, and Whites fans can get discounted tickets!

See a galaxy of stars – including Gerrard, Owen, Ferdinand, Pires, Ballack, Deco, Puyol, Roberto Carlos, Rivaldo and Del Piero – under one roof as they once again pull on their national shirts to renew international rivalries.

The star-studded tournament will feature 12 teams – England, Brazil, Spain, Germany, Mexico, Italy, France, Portugal, Denmark, Scotland, Nigeria and China – across 4 days of intense competition.

This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get up close to so many of the legends of the game – book through the Fulham box office to secure your place or visit starsixes.com for more information.




http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2017/june/30/danny-murphy-star-sixes

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Scott Parker turns down coaching role at Fulham in order to return to Tottenham
Midfielder retired from playing this week and will go back to Tottenham as a coach

Scott Parker has gone back to former club Tottenham after hanging up his boots.

The 36-year-old retired from football earlier this week and was expected to make the move into coaching.

Parker was in talks with Fulham about taking up a coaching position at Craven Cottage following the end of his playing career, but he has turned down that opportunity, choosing instead to return to Spurs.

The former Charlton Ahletic, Chelsea, West Ham and Newcastle United man has agreed to become Tottenham's new U18s manager, as well as becoming an ambassador for the club.

Parker embarked on an FA UEFA Pro Licence course, which is mandatory to manage in the Premier League, and was in the same class as Mark Warburton, Jimmy Floyd-Hasselbaink, Brad Friedel and Phil Neville, graduating in June 2016.




http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/scott-parker-turns-down-coaching-13265813

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Transfer Talk: Fulham, Southampton, Derby and Norwich chase 16-year-old Stade Rennais stopper
Chopin, although far from the finished article, is tipped for big things in the game, and is said to be a prime target for numerous Category One academies in the UK.

Fulham are rumoured to be in the race for young goalkeeper Maxime Chopin.

The 16-year-old, who is currently on the books of Stade Rennais, is said to be attracting the attention of several English clubs including the likes of Southampton, Derby County and Norwich City.

The academy as Stade Rennais is in a particularly fruitful phase, with the Cottagers and Brentford also keen on 18-year-old forward Stephane Diarra.

Chopin, although far from the finished article, is tipped for big things in the game, and is said to be a prime target for numerous Category One academies in the UK.

If Fulham do pull off the deal, it will be the West London side's first signing of the summer, and certainly one for the future.




http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/transfer-talk-fulham-southampton-derby-13264428

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Have Tottenham Hotspur just jumped to the front of the queue to sign Fulham's Ryan Sessegnon later down the line?

Tottenham Hotspur have missed out on the Fulham starlet... for now.

Fulham's Ryan Sessegnon has ended speculation about his immediate future by signing his first pro deal at Craven Cottage this week.

The attacking left-back impressed in his breakthrough campaign, attracting admiring glances from Premier League clubs including Tottenham Hotspur, according to The Mirror.

Fulham, who lost out in the Championship play-offs, will aim to get there themselves this coming campaign, though it is perhaps inevitable that Sessegnon will move on later down the line, whether the Cottagers have made it back or not.

And when that day does eventually arrive, Tottenham could find themselves at the front of the queue, after adding a former player to their coaching staff on Friday.

Not only was Scott Parker a teammate of Sessegnon at Fulham last season, he was, by the latter's admission, a mentor by the 17-year-old.

Sessegnon told The Daily Mail earlier this year: "I am becoming a man, I am maturing day-by-day, the influence of being around men helps me and makes me be more professional.

"Everyone has helped me, but in particular Scott Parker, 100 per cent. What a person to be around, a great player and just a great human being."

So, should Danny Rose ever leave Tottenham, or were the Londoners to upgrade on Ben Davies, they should simply leave the rest to Parker.



http://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2017/06/30/have-tottenham-hotspur-just-jumped-to-the-front-of-the-queue-to/