Wednesday Fulham Stuff - 17/06/20...

[WhiteJC]

Former Fulham and MK Dons starlet released by Forest Green

Forest Green have confirmed on their official club website that former Fulham and MK Dons starlet George Williams is one of eight players who have been released by the League Two club.

Upon the official curtailment of the League Two seasons, clubs up and down the division have been announcing their retained lists for the 2020/21 season. Now, Forest Green have moved to confirm who will be staying and who will be leaving at the end of their contracts.

Forest Green have confirmed that eight players will be leaving the club at the end of their respective contracts, including former Fulham and MK Dons player George Williams.

Alongside the former Fulham and MK Dons player is Dayle Grubb, Elliott Frear, Farrend Rawson, Junior Mondal, Kevin Dawson, Liam Shepherd and Matt Mills. Upon the announcement, the club moved to thank Williams and the seven other players leaving the club for their efforts and commitment during their time at the New Lawn.

Williams, 24, leaves Forest Green two years after joining the club. He joined the club on a free transfer from Fulham in July 2018. Since then, Williams has gone on to lay in 50 games across all competitions for the club, scoring nine goals and laying on six assists in the process.

A broken leg hindered Williams' involvement massively this season, ruling him out for much of the campaign. Prior to football's suspension, Williams had not long made his return and in total, he played in four League Two games this season, scoring one goal.

Williams spent time with MK Dons as a youngster before making a move to Fulham. The Welshman notched up 17 appearances for Fulham's senior side, also picking up senior experience in loans with MK Dons and Gillingham.

Now, with his release from Forest Green being confirmed, Williams will now go in search of a new club. Fans of Football League clubs, is Williams a player you would like to see join your club this summer? Have your say in the poll at the bottom of the page.



https://the72.co.uk/173107/former-fulham-and-mk-dons-starlet-released-by-forest-green/

[WhiteJC]

Black Lives Matter: It's not enough for the Khans to just talk a good game

In his first piece for Fulhamish, Sam Burne James says Shahid Khan must acknowledge – and apologise – for his past donation to President Donald Trump, and use his influence to help the club be more of a leader in championing equality.

Two weeks ago, Tony Khan tweeted three simple words: "Black lives matter".

This shouldn't be controversial, of course, but Fulham fans should have bristled a bit when Khan tweeted them. Because as some, but by no means all, of us will be aware, his father, and our club's owner, is a Trump donor.

It's a fact that lingers in the air – it's the elephant in the room sat next to Tony's tweet. And it feels completely incompatible with whatever the club does now and in the future to further equality and fight racism. That should concern all fans who take pride in Fulham being a friendly, welcoming, modern club.

Khan senior's record
In fairness to Shad Khan, he has taken steps in the right direction. Since the $1m contribution in 2016 to the incoming President's inauguration ceremony, he's openly criticised Trump on social issues, and appeared on field in support of his Jacksonville Jaguars players as part of protests against police brutality. These are important actions, but are they as much of a statement of intent as getting out his chequebook and writing six zeroes? Last year, he said he still supports Trump on economic but not social issues (as if the two can be meaningfully separated).

At the start of this month, Khan Sr authored a lengthy piece on his own life and experiences of racism on the Jaguars' website. Titled 'Racism, in all its forms, will kill', it doesn't specifically mention Trump, or his donation. It ends with a call to drive racial discrimination out of society. "For many Americans, now is the moment. Never has that been clearer. I don't want to waste this moment," he says.

But while he made a passing reference in his Jaguars piece to his other "various businesses", there's been a deafening silence on the Fulham website.

I can only assume that some sort of update is on its way. I hope that the reason it has been so long in the works is because the Khans and the club have been thinking about which practical solutions and solid proposals it will contain. Speaking as a PR man myself, I know that the world really doesn't need another corporate statement which condemns racism in theory, without saying what you're going to do about it in practice.

Cottage culture
Even if Fulham and its fans could do better on racism – so could so many other institutions and groups, of course – we should take pride in being in a good place already.

In my experience, it's very rare to hear racist abuse around the Cottage – although I hope any fans who have experienced otherwise will correct me. Away fans consistently talk about enjoying the trip to Fulham – the fact that you'll get a cheery welcome (at least until kick-off) is doubtless key to that. In Jean Tigana, we had a relative rarity; a black manager at the highest level. I remember seeing stats when we were in the Premier League showing we had the highest (albeit still low) proportion of female fans on matchdays. We've won awards for being well-behaved fans, and are sufficiently trusted to be safe, responsible bunch that we have a neutral section.

Tease us for being posh or quiet? Fine. But if you snigger at Fulham taking pride in not being violent and hostile, that's a pretty sad indictment of you. At our best, Fulham fans show that you can be passionate, love your club, care deeply about the game in front of you and make some noise, without throwing away your humanity and decency. We should be embrace that.

But we can't be complacent just because our Cottage is in (relatively) good order. Especially not with the growing trend for regimes with appalling human rights records – Russia and Qatar as world cup hosts, Saudi Arabia, Azerbaijan and others as direct or indirect club owners – to use football as a way of laundering its reputation. And add to that, the horrendous scenes of the so-called 'football' 'lads' congregating in London to start fights with the police last weekend.

Personally, I won't feel quite the same about my club until Khan apologises for his Trump donation. But – and I hope I speak for many other Fulham fans – a plan for how this club can be a leader in promoting equality and eradicating racism, will be another step in the right direction.



https://www.fulhamish.co.uk/post/2020-06-16-black-lives-matter-its-not-enough-for-the-khans-to-just-talk-a-good-game/

[WhiteJC]

FFCtv Step-By-Step Guide

Unique voucher codes for Season Ticket Holders, who during the 19/20 Season Ticket rebate process selected to receive access to watch Fulham's remaining EFL Championship matches live on FFCtv, have started to be distributed, sent via email and also postal letter.

Please be aware if you are unsubscribed from Club emails we are not able to send you an email, however postal letters have been sent to all those who have selected to redeem a voucher and will land from Wednesday 17th June. In addition, supporters who share an email address and have requested codes for FFCtv will have been sent multiple codes in one email. 

All unique voucher codes can be redeemed at tv.fulhamfc.com. Please note, this voucher code is unique to each individual Season Ticket Holder and provides access to watch all nine remaining 2019/20 EFL Championship fixtures. This code can only be used once and is non-transferable.

Match passes for games eligible for live video streaming will be available to supporters in the UK to purchase for £10 and £5 for overseas supporters. At the time of writing, television picks for the EFL Championship's first three restart rounds of fixtures have been chosen, and the first Fulham match pass game available to purchase will be our trip to Loftus Road vs. QPR on Tuesday 30th June, KO 6.30pm.

We request that fans sign up and/or redeem their voucher codes AS SOON AS POSSIBLE on receipt of the email, in order to ensure that they encounter no issues and are ready to watch on matchday.

It is recommended that sign up is completed on a desktop/laptop, where a test video is available to play on tv.fulhamfc.com to check that your set up has been successful.

For fans wishing to watch via the FFCtv App on matchdays (iOS and Android), please ensure you have the latest version installed on your device.

Each match features a minimum four-camera mixed coverage with replays, and commentary from Gentleman Jim & Jamie Reid.

Season Ticket Holders can follow the steps below to sign up and/or redeem their voucher:

STEP 1. NEW TO FFCtv? CREATE AN ACCOUNT!
In order to access FFCtv, fans will be required to create an account. If you already hold an existing FFCtv account or subscription move to step 2.

1. Go to tv.fulhamfc.com and click LOGIN. When the pop-up appears, click CREATE ACCOUNT.

2. Enter your details, including the email address and password you wish to use on the site, and select any communication preferences.

3. Go to tv.fulhamfc.com and click LOGIN. When the pop-up appears, click CREATE ACCOUNT.

4. Enter your details, including the email address and password you wish to use on the site, and select any communication preferences.

Users must be over 18 or have a parent/guardian's permission.

STEP 2. REDEEM YOUR FREE ACCESS
1. Go to tv.fulhamfc.com and register/login using the email address and password you are signed up to FFCtv with.

If you had a previous account on fulhamfctv and are using FFCtv for the first time, you may attempt to log in with your old details but will then be asked to reset your password.

2. Once logged in, paste the following URL into your web browser:
https://fulhampayments.streamamg.com/account/register/step1?lang=en or click the REDEEM FFCTV VOUCHER HERE button on the site's homepage

3. Paste your unique voucher code – sent to you via email - into the voucher code box and click 'REDEEM'

Please note, all voucher codes are unique and provides access to watch all nine (9) remaining 2019/20 EFL Championship fixtures. Your code can only be used once and is non-transferable.


To check your pass has been added successfully, head to MY ACCOUNT > ACTIVE SUBSCRIPTIONS.

In addition, on the FFCtv homepage - tv.fulhamfc.com - simply scroll down to the LIVE VIDEO & AUDIO section and click play on the FFCTV LIVE video player. Here, you should be able to see a test feed broadcast confirming your account is correctly set up. On matchdays, this is where your live video will appear.

HELP & SUPPORT
Fans are advised to set up their account, redeem any applicable codes and test their login as soon as possible on receipt of this email, and prior to matchday.

Supporters who experience difficulties subscribing to FFCtv, have any specific questions relating to playback on desktop/laptop or mobile/tablet devices, or require support on matchdays, please contact the FFCtv Customer Support team via email: [email protected].



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2020/june/16/ffctv-step-by-step

[WhiteJC]

Former Whites youngster says Leeds United's promotion rivals have unfinished business
FORMER Whites youngster Tom Cairney says Leeds United's promotion rivals Fulham are relishing the prospect of the Championship's restart to "try and finish what we started".

Cairney spent nearly a decade with Leeds before being released as a 16-year-old and 13 years later the midfielder's side are locked in battle with the Whites.

United lead the Championship and sit one point clear of second-placed West Brom with third-placed Fulham leading the chase towards the automatic promotion places.

Scott Parker's Cottagers are six points behind West Brom and seven adrift of Leeds but Cairney says his side were thriving before the break in play due to the country's battle against coronavirus.


CHASING THE WHITES: Fulham midfielder Tom Cairney. Photo by Harry Trump/Getty Images.

Fulham - who will visit Leeds in United's second game back on Saturday, June 27 - dealt the Whites a 2-1 defeat Craven Cottage in December and Parker's side have won eight of their last 15 games, five of which have ended in draws.

"I think it's good to get back to it and hopefully try and finish what we started," said Cairney, speaking to Fulham's website.

"I think the break came at the wrong time for us really.

"We were top of the form table for about 15 or 16 games so hopefully we can hit the ground where we left off."

Fulham will feature in the Championship's first game back on Saturday as the Cottagers host a west London derby against fourth-placed Brentford in a 12.30pm kick-off live on Sky.

The Bees are just four points behind Fulham.

Asked if his side were ready, Cairney said: "I think we feel like we have done a lot. I think you always question yourself whether you have done enough or too much and you never really know until it comes.

"But I think we are more than ready to start playing a game again because it feels like we have been running for ages."

Cairney, though, will be taking on Brentford without being watched by his two biggest supporters - his mum and dad.

"I don't think they have missed one since I was about seven years old," said Cairney.

"I think they'll find it tough but they are in the same boat as everyone else."



https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/former-whites-youngster-says-leeds-uniteds-promotion-rivals-have-unfinished-business-2885537

[WhiteJC]

Fulham have decision to make on future of £5.4 million signing

Fulham have a decision to make on the future of goalkeeper Fabri this summer.

The Spanish stopper has spent this past season out on loan at Real Mallorca but is due to return to Craven Cottage at the end of the current campaign.

Fabri, who is 33 years old, still has a year left on his contract with Scott Parker's side.

He is way down the pecking order with the Championship side behind Marcus Bettenelli, Marek Rodak and Jordan Archer.

Fulham could look to loan him out back abroad to see out the rest of his deal before becoming a free agent this time next year or seek to sell him for a fee to avoid losing him for nothing.

Fabri signed for Fulham for £5.4 million (as per Transfermarkt) but he made just two appearances for the London side last season as they were relegated from the Premier League.  He has played for the likes of Deportivo and Real Betis in the past.

The Cottagers actually hold an option to extend his deal by a further year next summer, though that appears unlikely unless Fabri returns to fight for his place next term.

Archer's contract is up this summer so if Parker wants three 'keepers in his squad then Fabri may be needed when he's back, though the ex-Millwall stopper is cheaper and can also be kept for another 12 months.

Fulham have a decision to make on the future of Fabri, though most signs point towards another departure.



https://the72.co.uk/173208/fulham-have-decision-to-make-on-future-of-5-4-million-signing/

[WhiteJC]

When We Play, Please Stay Away

EFL clubs are encouraging supporters to stay away and tune in to all remaining 2019/20 matches from home, with fans being given unprecedented access to live games on Sky Sports and online.

The EFL have a proud history of developing innovative new ways to attract supporters through the turnstiles, but the message has been reversed in line with football's return on a behind closed doors basis with the safety of fans, club personnel and the frontline services the principle priority.

Supporters are now being asked to maintain social distancing guidelines and avoid congregating outside stadiums as part of a new campaign message: 'When we play, please stay away,' ahead of EFL matches returning for the first time since March on a behind closed doors basis.

All EFL matches are available to view from home, with matches being made available through coverage on Sky Sports or iFollow (or club equivalent) streaming services.

On Thursday 19 June, Sky Sports will televise the first leg of the Sky Bet League Two Play-Off Semi-Finals, before hosting live coverage of three Sky Bet Championship fixtures over the opening weekend of the restart, with Fulham v Brentford kicking off the action at 12.30pm on Saturday 21 June.

Full details of first weekend of resumed Sky Bet Championship and League Two Play-Off Semi-Final fixtures are detailed below. All games not shown on Sky Sports are available for fans to view via iFollow (or their Club equivalent) streaming service.

The live League fixtures broadcast on Sky Sports will also be streamed on a club's iFollow (or equivalent) service, with access provided for Season Ticket Holders.

This access will be determined by the Club where the supporter holds a Season Ticket and may be in lieu of a refund or part of a wider package as determined by each individual Club. Where applicable, clubs will send out promo codes prior to this weekends' fixtures.

Non-season Ticket holding supporters will also be able to purchase access to games not shown on Sky Sports for the current match price pass of £10.

Supporters are able to help their Clubs throughout the ongoing pandemic by purchasing an iFollow pass, with at least 70% of iFollow net revenue going to their club. 80% of the net revenue from a UK Match pass also goes back to their club.



https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2020/june/16/when-we-play-please-stay-away

[WhiteJC]

Dalsgaard: Brentford targeting automatic promotion

Henrik Dalsgaard has insisted that Brentford will target automatic promotion when the Championship season resumes.

The Bees have nine games to close a 10-point gap on second-placed West Brom – and they face promotion rivals Fulham in a west London derby at Craven Cottage on Saturday.

The Whites are four points ahead of Brentford, in third, and Dalsgaard hopes the absence of a crowd will work in the visitors' favour.

"We are pleased the season is returning and we have the chance to go for automatic promotion. We are trying to go for top two," the Bees defender said.

"It's going to be a very tough game. It's going to be very environmental – who can get the game going?

"We both want the ball as much as possible, which will be tough away from home. But I think it will be about motivation and who can cope without fans the best.

"It's hard to predict anything. We'll just have to see how we cope without our fans. We have a good group who can hopefully manage without fans.

"It will be more up to us, because the crowd can't get behind us, and for the experienced guys to get the young ones going."

The fixture was initially scheduled to be played in March, prior to matches being suspended because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Games will resume this weekend but it is unclear when fans will be able to attend again.



https://www.westlondonsport.com/brentford/football-brentford-fulham-promotion-html

[WhiteJC]

Tom Cairney offers Leeds United & West Brom timely promotion reminder

Fulham talisman Tom Cairney has fired a warning to their promotion rivals ahead of the season's restart, with the midfielder pointing to the form table pre-postponement.

Scott Parker's side had picked up 29 points over the last 15 Championship fixtures, helping to keep Leeds United and West Brom – the division's current top-two – in their sights.

And, ahead of the restart this weekend when Fulham take on Brentford, Cairney has pointed to the form that Fulham were in before football was brought to a halt after the first weekend in March.

I think it's good to get back to it and hopefully try and finish what we started," said Cairney, speaking to Fulham's website.

"I think the break came at the wrong time for us really.

"We were top of the form table for about 15 or 16 games so hopefully we can hit the ground where we left off."

Whilst the long-term form table looked well on Fulham's part and Parker's side were picking up almost two points per game, the shorter-term table looked a lot different.

In the last five games, Fulham had collected only eight points, which was the same amount as West Brom, who currently sit second in the table.

However, table toppers Leeds had picked up a whopping 15 points from the last five fixtures, winning five on the spin and also not conceding a goal in that time.

Cairney and his teammates will take on Leeds and West Brom during the run-in.

The Verdict 

Form is going to go out of the window when the Championship season restarts. What went before the postponement doesn't really matter and it is going to be whoever hits the ground running here that will get the job done.

Fulham are in a decent position, but they've got six points to make up to the automatic promotion places, which does feel a slight uphill battle.

However, it's good to see Cairney rallying the troops and staying positive. It is the best chance Fulham have of catching the top-two. They need a positive mindset when they take on Leeds and West Brom, with two victories there an absolute must if Parker's side are to win promotion without the play-offs.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/tom-cairney-offers-leeds-united-west-brom-timely-promotion-reminder/

[WhiteJC]

Bristol City: Championship club confirms one Covid-19 case

Bristol City have confirmed one person among their players and coaching staff has tested positive for coronavirus.

The club will not be releasing the person's identity but they are said to be asymptomatic and self-isolating in line with current guidance.

The positive result came from testing carried out on Thursday but more tests on other staff were all negative.

Bristol City resume their Championship season at fellow play-off contenders Blackburn on Saturday.



https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53069618

[Fulham Joe]

So a load of thugs can now dictate who people support politically?
If you have seen a fraction of the stuff these BLM matter thugs got up to last weekend, you would tell them exactly where to go.

[bigalffc]

Personally, I won't feel quite the same about my club until Khan apologises for his Trump donation. But – and I hope I speak for many other Fulham fans – a plan for how this club can be a leader in promoting equality and eradicating racism, will be another step in the right direction.


https://www.fulhamish.co.uk/post/2020-06-16-black-lives-matter-its-not-enough-for-the-khans-to-just-talk-a-good-game/
[/quote]
Personally I won't be happy until critics of my club leave POLITICS out of their comments as well as racism.