Tuesday Fulham Stuff (11/07/17)...

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Fulham goalkeeper pens emotional goodbye message to fans

The Finn made seven appearances for the Whites during his time with his three games last season being in the EFL Cup

Jesse Joronen has penned an emotional goodbye letter to Fulham after joining Danish side AC Horsens.

The Finn made seven appearances for the Whites during his time with his three games last season being in the EFL Cup.

And he has been allowed to leave in order to pursue regular first team football with David Button and Marcus Bettinelli ahead of him in the Craven Cottage pecking order.

He wrote on Twitter: "After eight years of experiencing highs and lows of football, I'm leaving Fulham FC and just want to thank everyone involved with the club sincerely from the bottom of my heart.

"Seeing the fans in the Hammersmith End on my home debut will be a memory I'll go back to forever and I was always so so happy to pull that shirt on.

"These years have taught me so much and now I need to go and play regular football to develop even more.

"I came as a boy and this club gave me a home and for that I'm most grateful.

"At times everything seemed hopeless and other times it was so close of being everything a young footballer could want and after many years it's finally time to leave.

"The club with it's owner staff, players and academy are in a great place to achieve brilliant things and I'm excited to see it as a fan!

"COYW

"Thanks for everything,

"Jesse"



http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/fulham-goalkeeper-pens-emotional-goodbye-13307230

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Brentford and Fulham join Wolves, Aston Villa, Newcastle and Middlesbrough in the list of the Championship's top 15 most expensive deals

Can you guess which transfer deals made the top 15 most expensive initial deals in the history of the English second tier?

Fulham and Brentford both appear twice in a list of the top 15 most expensive deals in the history of the Championship, according to football365.

These figures are based on initial fees only, and exclude any potential future fees.

The list was compiled after Wolves completed the signing of Ruben Neves for £15.8m.

This toppled the previous record set by Wolves in January, when they completed the permanent deal for Helder Costa.

Fulham occupy joint-third and fifth spot in the table, for the sale and purchase of striker Ross McCormack who left for £12m and was brought to Craven Cottage for £11m.

Brentford's two most expensive deals sit in joint ninth in the table, with the sales of Scott Hogan to Aston Villa, and Andre Gray to Burnley, sitting on Par with Jordan Rhodes' move from Blackburn to Middlesbrough for the sum of £9m.

Other notable fees include Matt Ritchie's move from Bournemouth to Newcastle (£12m) which sits in joint-third with McCormack's sale to Villa, Jonathan Kodjia's move from Bristol City to Aston Villa (£11m) and Dwight Gale's move from Crystal Palace to Newcastle (£10m) which sits in seventh place.




http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/brentford-fulham-join-wolves-aston-13307314

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First Five On Sale

Tickets for Fulham's first five home matches in August and September are now available on General Sale.

The Whites kick off the 2017/18 Sky Bet Championship campaign against Norwich City at Craven 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, with junior Whites also able to attend our game against Cardiff City for just £1!

In addition, Putney End tickets for every match (Mixed Zone: P2 & P3) – aside from Millwall, Queens Park Rangers, Brentford and Sunderland – are also available to buy today.

Fans can secure their tickets today online, by phone on 0843 208 1234 (opt. 2) or in person from the Fulham Ticket Office.

Watch in style with Matchday Hospitality

Packages are available to purchase at any of the Whites' 2017/18 Sky Bet Championship home games. Guarantee your seat today and choose from formal dining to our relaxed lounges and bars. Prices start from £75 per person.

Call 0208 336 7555 (9am-5:30pm, Mon-Fri), buy online or contact the Hospitality department by email on [email protected]




http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2017/july/10/first-five-on-general-sale

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England U19s 4-1 Germany

A brace apiece from Ben Brereton and Ryan Sessegnon seals U19 Euro semi-final place

Injury-hit England cruised through to the semi-finals of the UEFA U19 European Championship after Ben Brereton and Ryan Sessegnon sparked double trouble for Germany.

Nottingham Forest striker Brereton and Fulham star Sessegnon took their respective tournament tallies to three after a storming second-half performance that saw the pair bag a double each.

And Chelsea's Mason Mount also shone at the David Petriashvili Stadium in Tbilisi, after claiming three assists.

The 4-1 win sets up a meeting with Czech Republic in the last four on Wednesday evening and sent Germany home in the process.

This comfortable win also came despite an early double-blow for Keith Downing who lost both Trevoh Chalobah and Andre Dozzell to injury inside 15 minutes of the final group game.

England started the game knowing that a point would guarantee their progression as Group B winners, but always looked the more likely winners whilst the Netherlands finished as runners-up following a 1-1 draw with Bulgaria.

But it couldn't have got off to a worse start with defensive lynchpin Chalobah being stretchered off in the fifth minute after landing awkwardly on his ankle from an early attacking corner.

Substitute Darnell Johnson, making his first appearance of the tournament, was just settling into proceedings when he was joined by another from the bench in the 15th minute as midfielder Dozzell hobbled off to be replaced by Arsenal's Josh DaSilva.

That only added to England's early anxiety as Aaron Ramsdale nervously watched Etienne Amenyido's deflected shot sail narrowly wide of his right post in the 20th minute.



However, the Young Lions soon settled and Brereton had the ball in the net in the 22nd minute. Sessegnon picked out the burly striker for a tap-in from two yards but the assistant's flag was swiftly raised for an offside.Needing to score at least two to progress, Germany continued to apply the pressure. Dennis Geiger clipped the top of the cross bar with a speculative effort from 35 yards in the 28th minute while Gorkem Saglam pounced on a half-clearance only to see his low drive blocked by Johhnson.

But England made their opponents' task all the more mountainous shortly after the break by taking the lead from the spot with Brereton picking himself up from Sidney Friede's trip to hammer home his penalty beyond the outstretched arm of Eike Bansen.

The Germans should have hit back on the hour mark when a corner from the right wasn't dealt with but captain Gokhan Gul could only sky his effort from six yards.

Brereton rubbed salt into the wound by doubling his and England's tally in the 64th minute, as the hot-shot got on the receiving end of Mount's cut back from the left and smartly diverted a first-time, low effort into the far corner.

Substitute Tobias Warschewski gave Germany a faint glimmer of hope in the 76th minute by getting on the end of a swift attack, via Amenyido's low ball from the right, to prod beyond Ramsdale from eight yards. It was the first goal England have conceded at this tournament.

However, super Sessegnon took the game out of Germany's reach with two cool finishes inside the space of three minutes. In the 81st minute, he slammed home a half-volley before he linked up with Mount down the left again to beat Bansen with a low drive three minutes later.

England: 1 Aaron Ramsdale (AFC Bournemouth), 2 Dujon Sterling (Chelsea), 3 Jay Dasilva © (Chelsea), 4 Tayo Edun (Fulham), 5 Trevoh Chalobah (Chelsea), 6 Easah Suliman (Aston Villa), 7 Isaac Buckley-Ricketts (Manchester City), 8 Andre Dozzell (Ipswich Town), 9 Ben Brereton (Nottingham Forest) 10 Mason Mount (Chelsea), 11 Ryan Sessegnon (Fulham).

Substitutes: 16 Darnell Johnson (Leicester City) for Chalobah 6, 15 Josh Dasilva (Arsenal) for Dozzell 15, 18 Reece James (Chelsea) for Buckley-Ricketts 79.

Substitutes not used: 12 Lukas Nmecha (Manchester City), 13 Nathan Trott (West Ham United), 14 Marcus Edwards (Tottenham Hotspur), 17 Jacob Maddox (Chelsea).

Goals: England: Brereton 52 pen and 64, Sessegnon 81 and 84. Germany: Warschewski 76.Head coach: Keith Downing




http://www.thefa.com/news/2017/jul/09/england-u19s-germany-report-090717

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Player Update

The Club can confirm the following player activity:

Following the expiry of his contract, Jesse Joronen has left Fulham after eight years in SW6, graduating from our Academy and going on to make seven appearances for the First Team.

Everyone at the Club would like to thank Jesse for his hard work during his time with us, and wish him the best of luck in his new challenge at Danish Superliga side AC Horsens.

Furthermore, striker Elijah Adebayo has agreed a contract extension that keeps him with the Whites until 30th June 2018.

Also, the following scholars have signed professional deals which ties them to Fulham until the summer of 2019: Taye Ashby-Hammond, Jose Garrido, Jayden Harris, Vishna Kelly, Nicolas Santos Clase, and Reece York.



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2017/july/10/player-update

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Championship trio eye free agent Tunnicliffe

HITC Sports understands Reading, Ipswich and Bolton are eyeing the former Manchester United youngster.

Reading, Ipswich and Bolton Wanderers are eyeing moves for former Fulham midfielder Ryan Tunnicliffe, HITC Sport understands from sources close to the club.

Tunnicliffe is available on a free transfer following his release from Fulham earlier this summer after three years at Craven Cottage.

The 24-year-old joined Fulham from Manchester United in the summer of 2014, but he failed to nail down a regular starting spot in West London and had loan spells at Wigan Athletic (twice) and Blackburn Rovers.

The all-action midfielder spent the second half of last season on loan at Wigan and made 10 appearances for the Latics, but could not prevent them from suffering relegation to League One.

Ipswich have held a long-term interest in Tunnicliffe after he enjoyed a successful spell on loan at Portman Road in the 2013/14 season prior to his move to Fulham and Town boss Mick McCarthy remains a big fan of him.

Reading are looking to bolster their squad as they look to mount another promotion bid next season and Jaap Stam is considering a move for Tunnicliffe, while Championship new boys Bolton are keen to add some experience to their ranks before the start of the season.

Tunnicliffe came through the ranks at Manchester United, where he was rated as a fine prospect, but made only two first-team appearances at Old Trafford before being lured to Fulham by former United coach Rene Meulensteen.




http://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2017/07/10/championship-trio-eye-free-agent-tunnicliffe/

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Transfer Gossip: Bolton Wanderers eye up move for former Fulham midfielder
Ryan Tunnicliffe is a possible replacement for Jay Spearing

According to HITC Sport, Bolton Wanderers are one of three clubs interested in former Fulham midfielder, Ryan Tunnicliffe. The article states:

"Reading, Ipswich and Bolton Wanderers are eyeing moves for former Fulham midfielder Ryan Tunnicliffe, HITC Sport understands from sources close to the club. Tunnicliffe is available on a free transfer following his release from Fulham earlier this summer after three years at Craven Cottage.

Ipswich have held a long-term interest in Tunnicliffe after he enjoyed a successful spell on loan at Portman Road in the 2013/14 season prior to his move to Fulham and Town boss Mick McCarthy remains a big fan of him.

Reading are looking to bolster their squad as they look to mount another promotion bid next season and Jaap Stam is considering a move for Tunnicliffe, while Championship new boys Bolton are keen to add some experience to their ranks before the start of the season."

A product of Manchester United's academy, Ryan Tunnicliffe, now 24, left the Red Devils in 2014 to join Fulham. Whilst at Old Trafford, Tunnicliffe played twice for Manchester United, and also had loan spells with Peterborough United, Barnsley and Ipswich Town.

In three years at Craven Cottage, Tunnicliffe scored twice in 66 appearances. Tunnicliffe also spent time on loan with Wigan Athletic and Blackburn Rovers. With nearly 150 appearances in the Championship, Tunnicliffe could prove to be a solid replacement for Jay Spearing.

I imagine his wage demands would be relatively cheap, and Tunnicliffe may favour a move back up North as opposed to Reading or Ipswich.




https://lionofviennasuite.sbnation.com/2017/7/10/15946484/transfer-gossip-bolton-wanderers-eye-up-move-for-former-fulham-midfielder-efl-manunited

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Sessegnon: Team Effort

Ryan Sessegnon praised the team effort that saw England cruise into the Under-19 European Championship Semi-Finals.

A draw would have been enough to ensure progression, but the Young Lions swept Germany aside 4-1 to advance in style, with Sessegnon and Ben Brereton each notching a brace.

"We were just focused on winning the game," Sessegnon stated. "A point wasn't in our minds, we just wanted to get the three points to top the group.

"The whole team was good overall. Ben and I were very clinical in the final third, but it was all about the team.

"I think it was a good performance from the boys, it was an important win. We were confident going into the game, and it was all round a good team performance.

"In this group we're playing with a lot of confidence because there's a lot of good players, and the gaffer lets us express ourselves when we're out there, which is good."

Despite being the youngest player at the tournament, Sessegnon is currently the joint top scorer, having found the net three times from left wing.

And the 17-year-old believes making 30 appearances for Fulham's First Team has stood him in good stead for the Euros.

"I'm finding it good, I'm enjoying the challenge," he explained. "When you're playing against older players it always challenges you physically, and mentally as well.

"Especially in the Championship where it's very physical, it helps you coming here and playing against older players because you're used to it after playing for your club."

England now have a Semi-Final against the Czech Republic to look forward to on Wednesday, with either the Netherlands or Portugal awaiting the victors in the Final.

"We're going into it confident, hopefully we can progress to the Final," Sessegnon said. "We'll be doing everything in our power to win the game.

"We need to be clinical, take our chances. We're always going to create chances with this team, so I just think if we're clinical in the final third then we'll win."




http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2017/july/10/sessegnon-team-effort

[WhiteJC]

 
Dominant Display from U18s

Fulham's Under-18s kicked off their Pre-Season with an impressive 7-1 victory over Peterborough United.

It was a dominant first half display with the Young Whites capitalising with five goals, and scored two more in the second after conceding early. Scorers included Tyreese Francois with a brace, Nicolas Santos-Clase, Cameron Thompson, Timmy Abraham, Fabio Carvalho and Elias Fry.

The match started off with both teams on even footing, with both sides trying to work their ways down the wings.

It was on the ten-minute mark Fulham gained the upper hand in the match with their first attack on goal. A floated ball from Jose Garrido found Cameron Thompson in an advanced position. He passed to Sonny Hilton who sprayed a perfect ball to Santos-Clase, who smashed an effort into the side netting.

From the goal-kick, Francois intercepted the ball from the wing and drove straight at goal. He gave the Peterborough keeper the eyes before slotting the ball right past him. After the breakthrough the Whites found their rhythm and dominated the ball.

A minute after the goal Francois made another cutting run inside the box, however the keeper was able to get low and keep out a point blank shot.

20 minutes had passed and the Young Whites were putting real pressure on Peterborough, a lovely move and finish gave them their second goal on the first half.

Abraham passed to Thompson, who laid a ball to Santos-Clase. The Spaniard sprinted into the right of the area, hammering a shot into the bottom left of the net to double their advantage.

On the half an hour mark, Timmy Abraham capitalised on one of his chances. A sensational ball forward from right-back Cody Drameh put Abraham in space, using his pace as he had done throughout the half. He still had work to do by skipping past the keeper to slot the third and extend the Whites' lead.

Not long passed before Thompson grabbled the fourth goal, having been a thorn in Peterborough's side with his work-rate. He stole the ball high up the pitch before taking it wide of the keeper and passed it into the net for the fourth.

A minute later Francois grabbed his second of the match and rounded off the perfect half 5-0 with a sublime goal, floating past a number of defenders before coolly knocking it into the back of the net.

The second half started at the same breakneck pace, however it was Peterborough who started the better having made wholesale changes at the break. The POSH scored a deserved goal three minutes into the half, splitting the defenders early and putting their striker in for a one on one.

Peterborough piled on pressure with a number of shots and George Wickens was forced to make a number of saves in a good spell from Peterborough.

After riding out the pressure Fulham re-gained control of the game.

Two minutes before the end of time, Santos-Clase crossed a free kick to the far post, and captain Garrido nodded the ball across goal for Fabio Carvalho, who stuck out a leg to knock it past the on rushing keeper.

The game looked to be done, but Fulham weren't finished. Substitute Sylvio Jasper ran down the left, skipped passed a defender and squared a ball to Elias Fry waiting in the middle who rounded off a well deserved 7-1 victory.




http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2017/july/10/dominant-display-from-u18s

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Young Lions ace Ryan Sessegnon says first-team action has helped him at Euro Finals

Ryan Sessegnon has been one of England's key men at the U19 Euro Finals in Georgia

England Under-19s star Ryan Sessegnon believes his experience of first-team football has helped him adapt to the rigours of tournament life.

The Fulham winger has been a key figure for the Young Lions at the Euro Finals in Georgia, with his brace against Germany on Sunday taking his tournament tally to three and helping England into the semi-finals.

Given the 17-year-old is still young enough to feature in the U19s for the next two seasons, it's been a remarkable campaign for Roehampton-born Sessegnon.

He made the breakthrough into the first-team squad at Craven Cottage at the start of last season and went on to make 30 appearances for the west London outfit, as well as helping England into the Euro Finals.

And he believes featuring regularly at that level has allowed him to develop and progress, which resulted in him signing his first professional contract with the Cottagers before linking up with the England squad.

"I'm enjoying the challenge, when you're playing against older players, they challenge you physically and mentally," said Sessegnon, after the 4-1 win over Germany.

"I think playing in the Championship, where it's very physical, and then coming here helps you because you're used to it, playing for your club.

"I'm enjoying myself in this team, we're playing with a lot of confidence and we have a lot of good players in the team.

"The gaffer lets us express ourselves, so that's good.

"I was just happy to get it [the contract] over the line before I flew out here so it was done and I could just focus on England."

England celebrate Sessegnon's first goal against Germany on Sunday

The victory over Germany saw the Young Lions finish in top spot of Group B to progress into the last four, where they will face Czech Republic in Tbilisi on Wednesday.

And Sessegnon revealed the squad were always confident that they could get a result going into the game and now have the ambition to go further.

"I think it was a good performance from the team and an important win," added Sessegnon, who also played in the U17 Euro Finals with England last summer and could have featured in that tournament again this season.

"We were confident going into the game, but it was an all-round good team performance.

"We just wanted to focus on winning, a point wasn't in our minds, we wanted to get the three points and top the group.

"We'll go into the [semi-final] game with confidence and hopefully we can reach the final. We'll be doing everything we can in our power to win the game.

"If we focus on ourselves, we have plenty of confidence. We need to be clinical and take our chances.

"We're always going to create chances with this team and I think if we're clinical in the final third, then we can win."



http://www.thefa.com/news/2017/jul/10/ryan-sessegnon-post-germany-100717

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Birmingham City boss Harry Redknapp backs Fulham for promotion challenge; alongside Aston Villa, Middlesbrough, Sunderland, Derby and Wolves

Speaking to the Daily Star, the former QPR boss says that although he sees Aston Villa as favourites, there are a number of teams who will be in with a realistic chance of reaching the Premier League.

Birmingham City boss Harry Redknapp says he expects up to 16 teams to be competing for promotion this term, picking out Fulham as one of the favourites to go up.

Speaking to the Daily Star, the former QPR boss says that although he sees Aston Villa as favourites, there are a number of teams who will be in with a realistic chance of reaching the Premier League.

He said: "I see Villa are favourites for the league but this year every team thinks they should be in the Premier League don't they?

"Middlesbrough will spend big money and will be right up there, maybe Sunderland, Leeds will be strong, Fulham again, Derby and Wolves will have a go.

"Every team is going to fancy their chances.

"Although it would be nice for rivalry it's not just going to be about Villa and us. There are going to be about 15 or 16 teams all thinking they are going to be there. But I'm sure both clubs will be there or thereabouts.

"Villa spent about £80m last season and still finished halfway so it shows how tough it is.

"There are lots of powerful teams and all the clubs seem to have big owners now.

"There are more and more foreign owners buying the clubs and spending. We are fortunate as we have owners who are ambitious and want to back the club.

"I met the owners the night after we stayed up and I saw the excitement they had.

"They want to be successful and I thought it would be fantastic to be a part of that. I have got to be bang up there this year. Nothing else will do for me."



http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/birmingham-city-boss-harry-redknapp-13309061

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Narrow Defeat for U23s

The Under-23s lost 1-0 away to Wealdstone FC in their opening Pre-Season friendly on Saturday in the searing heat.

The game looked to end goalless however a late goal from Dylan Kearney in the 82nd minute meant Wealstone finished winners.

The Stones had the first chance of the match, as a teasing ball was crossed into the Fulham box, but floated a little too high for Dan Fitchett to get to. Wealdstone's Danny Green went close in the fourth minute, lashing a ball over the bar from outside the box.

Fulham looked threatening ten minutes into the match. Their first big chance came from some excellent defending by captain Aron Davies, and his clearance from inside the box found Michael Elstone on the wing.

Elstone cut a well weighted pass across to Isaac Pearce, and a defender managed to get a block in as he pulled the trigger.

Five minutes after Wealdstone went close from a corner. The ball dropped back post and was blocked by Steven Humphrys, the Raiders' striker had another bite at the cherry and Elijah Adebayo cleared off the line for another corner.

Joe Felix was next with the heroics, heading the ball off the line from the resulting corner to keep the score level.

Fulham responded well, winning numerous set pieces and looked like they could cause Wealdstone trouble, however their keeper did well to collect the ball.

The second quarter of an hour the Young Whites had found their feet and were trying to pick passes through the Wealdstone defence. Moritz Jenz and Davies were doing well marshalling the back line.

In the 33rd minute the Whites came close, Humphrys flicked a ball past a defender in midfield as Felix made a storming run down the right wing, whipping a ball into the 6 yard box as both teams scrambled with the ball was eventually cleared.

Five minutes before the break Wealdstone ventured forward again, Davies did well to shepherd his man away from goal, the ball was sent to the other side of the pitch and Dan Martin made two crucial blocks, denying Fitchett and Eddie Oshodi.

The second half started as the first, with Kearney swinging wildly at the ball and sending it over the Fulham bar. He had a chance moment later, volleying a shot into the side netting. Wealdstone had made wholesale changes at the break.

Humphrys tried to get into the game, running from midfield to the edge of the area and let loose, however he hooked his shot and it passed the wrong side of the right upright. On the hour mark Jayden Harris had an effort from a similar position but blasted it over the bar.

At the other end of the pitch Felix Norman was called into the action, saving a curling shot. From Wealdstone's next attack, they struck the bar and Norman did well to make yet another good save. The final quarter of an hour Norman kept the Whites in contention.

Late in the second half, Humphrys created another chance from himself, with a good connection he got a shot off at goal but the keeper caught it to keep the game goalless.

After all Norman's efforts he couldn't prevent the late goal. Wealdstone swept a cross through the Fulham area before Kearney slammed a shot into the bottom left of the net.

Humphrys attempted to equalise in the most ostentatious of maners, Jaydn Mundle-Smith lofted a ball into the box before Humphrys flew for a bycicle kick, he had the connection but unfortunaly not the accuracy as his effort flew just over the bar.

The whistle blew and the first Pre-Season match finished 1-0. It was a tight game throughout and in very hot conditions.

Photos curtesy of www.freddiepatmore.com




http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2017/july/10/narrow-defeat-for-u23s

[WhiteJC]

 
Where Are They Now?: Foes Of The 2010/2011 Season Part Two: Luis Boa Morte

In part two of our Where Are They Now? Segment on the foes of the dreadful 2010/2011 season, we start to look at the players who contributed towards our relegation from The Premier League. This week, we start with clumsy winger Luis Boa Morte.

It is fair to say that Portuguese winger Luis Boa Morte wasn't the best player to ever don the famous Claret and Blue, but where is he now?

The former Arsenal man was signed in January 2007 by Alan Curbishley and never really took to life well at Upton Park. The 31-time Portuguese international did not exactly have the best start to life in East London as the twilight of his career dawned and was much scrutinized for his first half season at West Ham United. The slow wide man would only go on to score twice for the club, but it was during the 2010/2011 season where his level of performance was criticised the most by fans and pundits alike.

The former Fulham man made 22 Premier League appearances during the campaign to forget and drew in huge criticism from fans. The then 32-year-old was booked eight times during the season and offered very little in the form of assists and no goals. The Lisbon-born winger also possessed a very poor discipline record during the torrid campaign, as he picked up seven yellow cards.

The former Southampton man's contract was finally terminated by mutual consent in August 2011 and Morte signed a two-year deal with Greek side AEL under former manager Chris Coleman. However, just six months into his stay at the club, he left due to the financial problems of the club and the country at the time. In January 2012, it was confirmed that the winger had made the move to South African outfit Orlando Pirates, but left in May having made only two starts. The two short-term spells would be followed by another short and largely unsuccessful one, but this time back in English Football. League Two team Chesterfield decided to sign Boa Morte with the advice of former Fulham teammate and The Spireites head coach Mark Crossley. After the termination of his Chesterfield contract in January 2013, he decided to call it a day on his Footballing career to focus on coaching.

Boa Morte's first role as a coach was within the academy of his former club Fulham, but after a year in West London, his home club came calling. An assistant manager's role came up at Sporting CP and the 39-year-old took up the position for Sporting's B team. However, Morte was promoted to manager of the U19 side after less than a year in Lisbon, but after a year in the role he moved back to North London. His journeyman like career as a player was quickly becoming the norm for the former Portugal international as a coach. In 2015 the former Premier League winner was appointed a scout by Gunners manager Arsene Wenger, where he served for two years in the talent spotting department. Now, Morte is the first-team manager of Portuguese Third Division outfit Sintrense, where he is settling into life as a Football manager.

So, with Luis Boa Morte taking the first step in a long career of management, could we see him back in The Premier League one day or even manager of West Ham United? Not likely, will Hammers fans ever forgive him for his shocking performances during the heart-braking 2010/2011 campaign? Also, not likely.



http://www.moorethanjustaclub.com/columnist/now-foes-20102011-season-part-two-luis-boa-morte/

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Ryan Sessegnon feeling the benefits of physical Championship campaign

Ryan Sessegnon is excelling at the U19 European Championships after signing a new deal at Fulham, where he feels the Championship is aiding his development.

Tottenham Hotspur were one of a number of Premier League clubs left disappointed last month when Ryan Sessegnon signed a first professional contract at Fulham.

The 17-year-old enjoyed a breakout season at Craven Cottage last term, with Spurs hotly tipped to sign the speedy winger in the Independent.

However, Sessegnon opted to instead remain at Fulham, who just missed out on promotion to the Premier League last season with defeat in the Championship play-offs.

And Sessegnon is now excelling for England at the U19 European Championships, scoring twice in a 4-1 win over Germany to book a semi-final place.

The London-born midfielder believes he is benefiting from having his future sorted before the tournament.

"I was just happy to get it [the contract] over the line before I flew out here so it was done and I could just focus on England," he told TheFA.com.

Sessegnon has also contributed his continuously fine performances to the experience of playing in the Championship, which may explain why he turned down Tottenham's advances for now in order to further his development.

"I'm enjoying the challenge, when you're playing against older players, they challenge you physically and mentally," he said.

"I think playing in the Championship, where it's very physical, and then coming here, helps you because you're used to it, playing for your club."

After netting seven goals in all competitions last term, Sessegnon can now look to continue growing at Fulham before possibly looking again for a top flight switch.



http://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2017/07/10/ryan-sessegnon-feeling-the-benefits-of-physical-championship-cam/

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Aldershot Town considering move for Fulham's former Birmingham City midfielder

Gary Waddock is 'having a look at' Fulham midfielder Foday Nabay.

He was one of only two trialists to feature in Aldershot Town's starting XI against Brentford on Friday night and manager Gary Waddock admits he 'looking at' a move for Fulham midfielder Foday Nabay.

The Sierra Leone-born England youth international joined Fulham in the summer of 2013 from Birmingham City and have been described by the Cottagers as a 'powerful central midfielder' with the Championship club admitting they are expecting "big things" of him.

Nabay played alongside Manny Oyeleke in central midfield for Aldershot in the first half of Friday night's friendly and gave a solid display with the National League side leading 1-0 at the break.

The promising youngster, who turns 19 on Saturday, August 5 – the first day of the National League season – is still under contract at Fulham and so it is expected any move for the midfielder would be a loan one.

"He is still at Fulham," Waddock explained. "We asked permission for him to train and play with us and they granted that so he will remain with us next week.

"We spoke to Fulham over the course of the week and asked if he could play [against Brentford] and they gave us permission for him to play.

"We are looking at him at the moment."



http://www.getsurrey.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/aldershot-town-considering-move-fulhams-13309660