Wednesday Fulham Stuff - 15/12/21...

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Colchester looking to extend Jasper loan

Colchester United are keen to extend Fulham winger Sylvester Jasper's loan until the end of the season, manager Hayden Mullins has confirmed this morning.

The 20 year-old has scored three goals in twenty appearances for the U's since making the move to Essex on loan initially until January. Mullins revealed that the League Two have held discussions with Jasper's parent club about keeping hold of the promising young winger until the end of the season and hopes that a deal can be done shortly. Jasper won international recognition earlier this year as a result of his impressive performances with Colchester – winning his first caps for Bulgaria's under 21 side.

He has made three senior appearances for Fulham and is under contract at Craven Cottage until 2023.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2021/12/colchester-looking-to-extend-jasper-loan/

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3 PFA Wins In A Row For Mitro!

Aleksandar Mitrović has been named PFA Vertu Motors Fans' Player of the Month for November.

It's a hat-trick of awards for Mitro, who also claimed the September and October trophies, making him the first person to ever win the accolade in three consecutive months.

Mitrović had five goal involvements – three goals and two assists – as Fulham went through November unbeaten, form he also transferred to the international stage as he scored a 90th minute winner against direct rivals Portugal to send Serbia to the 2022 World Cup.

https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2021/december/14/3-pfa-wins-in-a-row-for-mitro-/

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The winner of the PFA Vertu Motors Championship Fans' Player of the Month - November

Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic has been voted the PFA Vertu Motors Championship Fans' Player of the Month for a third successive time.

The Serbian striker has been the standout player in the division throughout the season and has again finished top of the polling tree after another month of banging in the goals.

Mitrovic bagged just over 36% of the votes cast by fans of the Championship, finishing comfortably ahead of Blackburn's Ben Brereton-Diaz who came second. The Chilean international, who is enjoying the best season of his career, took home an impressive 24% of the vote, finishing slightly ahead of Derby's Tom Lawrence who snared 17%.

Lewis Grabban, George Honeyman and Nathan Baxter were also shortlisted for November's award after impressing for Nottingham Forest and Hull.

Fulham and Mitrovic started off the month in outstanding fashion as they cruised to a romping, and rather unexpected, 7-0 win over Blackburn at Ewood Park.

27-year-old Mitrovic scored and assisted two on that day, before he then scored the only goal of the game as the Cottagers downed Peterborough United to pick up another three points. Barnsley were then put to the sword as Fulham continued their promotion push by going unbeaten throughout November, with Mitrovic again on the scoresheet.

In addition to his superb November club form, Mitrovic also shone as Serbia qualified for the World Cup finals. He scored a dramatic stoppage-time winner against Portugal to deny them, and Cristiano Ronaldo, an automatic place in Qatar, taking his scintillating domestic scoring record onto the biggest of international stages.



https://www.90min.com/posts/aleksandar-mitrovic-pfa-championship-fans-player-of-the-month-november

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Mitrovic wins third successive PFA player of the month award

Fulham forward Aleksandar Mitrovic has become the first player to win three consecutive PFA fans' player of the month awards after winning the November accolade.

The in-form Serbian striker continued his outstanding start to the season for Marco Silva's side, scoring three goals and contributing two assists as Fulham climbed to the top of the table by going unbeaten throughout the month. Mitrovic memorably scored a last-minute winner against Portugal in Libson that sent Serbia through to the World Cup finals.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2021/12/mitrovic-wins-third-successive-pfa-player-of-the-month-award/

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3 Fulham transfers in or out that could happen next month

Fulham will be looking to get back on the winning trail sooner rather than later as the draws continue to mount up.

The Cottagers remain top of the Championship but have not won in four with each of their matches seeing them share the spoils with their opponents in that run.

Getting back to winning at this point of the season is crucial, then, with the festive period here and all the trials and tribulations that come with that fixture-wise.

Then, we have the January transfer window and it is going to be interesting to see what business, if any, is done in SW6.

Let's take a look at some potential deals that could happen...

Out: Tyrese Francois
Francois looked like he might be involved a fair bit this season for Fulham at the start of the campaign but as time has worn on he has fallen down the pecking order and it is hard to make a case for him getting back into the side now.

There are so many good midfield options at the club that he just does not get a look in and with his contract up in the summer we could see him starting to think about pastures new as early as the winter window once it opens up.

Out: Steven Sessegnon
Sessegnon spent time on loan at Bristol City last season and since returning to Fulham he has struggled to get back into the first team at Craven Cottage.

There are a lot of good options in front of him in the pecking order under Marco Silva and the player's contract is up at the end of this season so there's every chance we'll see him moving on before too long now.

Whether that sees him stay in the Championship remains to be seen but he is a good player – he just needs more senior minutes.

Out: Fabio Carvalho
Fulham fans won't want to think about it but as we get ever closer to the January transfer window, the chances of Carvalho leaving are increasing.

He still hasn't signed a new contract and all manner of European elite clubs are queueing up to try and get him in on the cheap in the near future.

Will Fulham end up seeing him leave in January or will the clubs wait for the summer to get him – we'll soon find out.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/3-fulham-transfers-in-or-out-that-could-happen-next-month/

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West Ham interested in Fulham's Aleksandar Mitrovic, report claims

West Ham are reportedly interested in signing Fulham striker Aleksander Mitrović during the upcoming window, according to insider ExWHUemployee.

David Moyes is on the look out for striking reinforcements halfway through the campaign, and has identified the Championship's current top scorer Mitrovic in particular.

Currently, the Hammers' only fit forward is Michail Antonio. Considering the club's European progression, they will need further depth as the season progresses to combat the packed schedule.

West Ham aren't the only club looking at the Fulham star though, with names like Juventus having already been linked this season.

Current season
At present, Mitrović is leading the Championship's golden boot race, having racked up 22 goals and five assists in 21 league games. He is certainly enjoying his best campaign to date, and is closing in on the record for number of goals scored in a singular season, currently held by Glenn Murray and Ivan Toney (30).

The Serbian international has been a mainstay in the Cottagers' front line this time around. Manager Marco Silva has seemingly got the best out of him, something previous boss Scott Parker struggled to do last season.

Fulham currently sit top of the second tier, despite drawing their previous four matches. The London side are by far the top scorers in the league, hitting the back of the net 51 times. Mitrović has been involved with over half of these goals (52%).

Playing style
The 27-year-old is well-known for his finishing capabilities. EFL defences must constantly be on alert when facing Fulham, yet most have failed at keeping the number nine quiet.

He often acts as a hold-up forward, and is adept at leading his side's attacking line by himself if need be. With West Ham often deploying a 4-2-3-1 formation, his skillset could be ideal.

Mitrović is an elite level second-tier striker, and has shown competency during his few years at Premier League level. The Serbian has reportedly been on the Hammer's radar for years, with former manager Slaven Bilić wanting to sign him back in 2017.

He could be a keen signing for the club, but Fulham surely won't want to lose him next month.



https://the72.co.uk/257811/west-ham-interested-in-fulhams-aleksandar-mitrovic-report-claims/

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Fulham player emerges on West Ham United's transfer radar as January looms

Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic is wanted by West Ham United as the January transfer window nears, as per a report from Hammers insider ExWHUemployee.

The Serbian international has 22 Championship goals to his name this season, scoring at a rate of a goal every 83 minutes.

Mitrovic has yet again been a vital component to Fulham's success so far this season, meaning it would be difficult to interest Fulham in negotiations.

The 27-year-old has also caught the attention of Spanish club Villarreal, with a €16 million previously discussed.

The striker's contract at Craven Cottage does not expire until 2026, meaning that it could be a difficult move for clubs in pursuit to finance, especially with Mitrovic playing such a vital role in their push for promotion.

The Cottagers currently find themselves at the Championship summit, despite drawing their last four matches.

The verdict

Mitrovic is enjoying another season in the Championship, with his influence there for all to see already this campaign.

His ability to score goals, link the play and cause panic in the opposing defence makes him so effective in a Fulham shirt, with the Cottagers keen to keep him in what remains of this season and beyond.

Mitrovic is a player who deserves to be operating in the highest tier, but that is quite looking likely if he stays with Fulham past this season.

Plus, he would be operating in a team who he knows and can thrive in, instead of adapting to a new style and learning to play with different players.



https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/fulham-player-emerges-on-west-ham-uniteds-transfer-radar-as-january-looms/

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Bristol City fans angrily react to club's decision over ticket prices for FA Cup tie with Fulham

Bristol City host fellow Championship side Fulham at Ashton Gate in the FA Cup third round on January 8, 2022

Bristol City fans have branded the club "out of touch" following the decision to price adult tickets for their FA Cup third round tie against Fulham in excess of £20.

City have been drawn to face Fulham at Ashton Gate on January 8, one of three all-Championship ties in the third round and, coincidentally seven days before the two teams face in the league at Craven Cottage. The Robins also drew 1-1 with Marco Silva's side during a league fixture in September.

As a result of the familiarity with the opposition, enthusiasm for the game isn't high, especially when coupled with the fact that Championship teams increasingly put out weakened starting XIs due to the priority of the league campaign.

City published their pricing structure for the game on Monday, with adult prices ranging from £22-£30 and the cheapest being their "kids for a quid" promotion, with Under-12s gaining entry for just a pound.

The Robins have two categories for their league matches at Ashton Gate: "Gold", against clubs such as Bournemouth and Cardiff City with a non-season ticket holders paying between £33 and £48 for an adult ticket, and "Silver" for the rest of the division's team, with prices between £28 and £38.

The Fulham tie has been categorised an unofficial "Bronze" match, hence the price point slightly below that of the normal Championship fixtures, but cup games are also not part of a supporter's seasoncard, meaning any regular fans will have to pay the extra to attend.

The price per game of an adult season ticket across the 2021/22 Championship season ranges from £15.90 to £28.50.

Earlier this month, City launched their half-season ticket promotion, with the average adult price per game for their final 11 Championship fixtures at home ranging from £16.80 in the South Stand to £29.50 in the Lansdown Stand.

ℹ️ Tickets are available online tomorrow for Season Card Holders and #BristolCity members. pic.twitter.com/zBUqjJXwFa

— Bristol City FC (@BristolCity) December 13, 2021

Both clubs had to agree on the FA Cup ticket pricing, and there were pitches made by both City and Fulham before a consensus was reached, hence the disparity across the rest of the 32 stadiums hosting third round ties over the course of that weekend in January.

Although the kids for a quid has been widely embraced as a positive step, comparisons with other Championship clubs have left supporters angry over City's high prices.

Hull City are hosting Premier League Everton but are offering adult tickets at £15 and juniors for £6, while Severnside neighbours Cardiff, who play fellow Championship side Preston North End, have priced their admission at £10 for adult season ticket holders and £12 on general sale, with juniors at £3 and then £5.



https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/bristol-city-fans-angrily-react-6348258

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Aleksandar Mitrovic could leave Fulham for early return to Premier League

David Moyes is reportedly ready to bolster his attacking options with a bid for Aleksander Mitrovic in January.

Mitrovic spent most of the last campaign as an onlooker to their relegation. He wasn't a regular starter under Scott Parker in the topflight, scoring three goals in his 27 appearances. But the Serbian has been reinvigorated by the arrival of former Watford boss Marco Silva in the Championship this season.

Since Silva's arrival, Mitrovic has enjoyed the best scoring spell of his career. He has 22 goals in 21 games this season, and  is only eight goals shy of the single-season scoring record for England's second-tier set by Ivan Toney and Glenn Murray (30).

The Serbian's current form has attracted interest from across Europe. Teams such as Juventus and Dynamo Moscow have lined up bids for the frontman, and The 72 are reporting that West Ham have their sights set on the 27-year-old.

With Michail Antonio as their only fit striking option, it makes sense that David Moyes is attempting to improve his squad by adding Mitrovic.

But a deal could be held up as Marco Silva claims to be expecting a quiet January for the Cottagers, telling West London Sport: "At this moment we are happy. We did what we should do last summer, as it is always tough for a club after relegation.

"Competition in the squad is tough and the squad is big as well.

"But it is not the right moment to talk now about changes. It's the beginning of December and a busy period because of the Christmas fixtures."

Mitrovic becomes the first-ever player to secure a third-straight PFA award.

To coincide with his good form, Mitrovic has continued to pick up individual accolades.

The Fulham forward had already won the September and October PFA fans' player of the month, and now he has become the first player to win three consecutive months.

Throughout November, Mitrovic helped Fulham to top the Championship table by scoring three goals and two assists in an unbeaten month for the London outfit.

In addition, the Fulham forward made headlines on international duty. He scored the winner for Serbia against Portugal to send his nation to the World Cup in November.



https://www.teamtalk.com/news/aleksandar-mitrovic-return-premier-league-west-ham

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Aleksandar Mitrovic's goal output compared with Mo Salah and Robert Lewandowski

Fulham's Serbian striker has been in lethal form this season and with 22 goals to his name looks well on course to smash the Championship's all-time scoring record

Aleksandar Mitrovic is enjoying the season of his life.

The Fulham striker has 22 goals to his name already this season. He is well on course to smash the Championship's all-time record for most goals in a season.

The current holder of that is Brentford's Ivan Toney. Last season saw Toney hit 31 goals across the regular campaign, not including those scored in the play-offs.

Mitrovic is just nine short of that tally and still has half a season in which to beat it.

But how does the Serbian's ruthlessness in front of goal compare to players in other leagues around Europe?

We've looked at the stats from the top two divisions in Europe's big five leagues, analysing the top scorers in France, Germany, Italy and Spain.

And Mitrovic comes out on top of all 10 divisions - and by some distance.

The nearest contender within those 10 leagues is Polish superstar Robert Lewandowski, who has 16 goals for Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga.

But perhaps more impressive is that there is another Championship player who would go above him on the list. Blackburn's Ben Brereton Diaz has 17 goals so far.

Nevertheless, when it comes to goals-per-game, Mitrovic does fall below Lewandowski purely because he has played more games in the Championship.

He has featured in 21 of Fulham's 22 league games so far whilst Lewandowski has played in all 15 of Bayern's matches.

That ensures the latter's goals-per-game ratio is 1.13 - just edging out Mitrovic who records a hugely respectable 1.08. Mo Salah, the Premier League's top scorer with 14 so far, has a score of 0.88.

Borussia Dortmund's Erling Haaland comes in first in the top five leagues in this particular area however. His 11 goals in just nine league games gives him a goals-per-game ratio of 1.36.

In fact, the only player who can match Mitrovic's outstanding record, whilst playing in a European league of similar standard, is Thijs Dallinga.

The forward plays for Excelsior in the Dutch Eerste Divisise - the second tier in the Netherlands.

And he has scored a whopping 24 goals in 19 outings, even managing to outdo Mitrovic's tally. He has scored in his last seven outings and has more than half of the team's 47 goals.

Speaking about Mitrovic's incredible scoring run earlier this season, his manager Marco Silva said: "He's a very dangerous player, it's up to us to create the conditions for him to score.

"I don't always like to talk about one or two players but he has already scored so many goals so he is clearly an important player.

"For him to be in the right spots, everyone is working really hard for him.

"I think the numbers are there. They speak for themselves.

"Of course a striker cannot win games alone, but if you have a striker who has this capacity to score goals, we should keep creating for him.

"When a striker is scoring and scoring, I don't need to speak to him. His job is done, I have to work on other things with him because his confidence is high."

Amazingly, Mitrovic has scored more goals than five Championship teams combined - Barnsley, Derby, Peterborough, Hull and Blackpool.

Aleksandar Mitrovic - Fulham - 22

Robert Lewandowski - Bayern Munich - 16

Dusan Vlahovic - Fiorentina - 15

Mo Salah - Liverpool - 14

Guido Burgstaller - St Pauli - 14

Karim Benzema - Real Madrid - 13

Christian Stuani - Girona - 12

Rhys Healey - Toulouse - 12

Jonathan David - Lille - 11

Gianluca Lapadula (Benevento) & Gabriel Strefezza (Lecce) - 9



https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/mitrovic-goals-compare-salah-lewandowski-25696003

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Boss reminds Sheffield United that pound notes mean nothing when fight for points begins at Fulham
Paul Heckingbottom has reminded his Sheffield United side that salaries and budgets count for nothing when games kick-off, as his side prepare for their toughest game of the season so far at the home of league leaders Fulham.

Marco Silva's men are making a good fist of their attempted return to the Premier League following relegation last season, sitting five points clear of third-placed West Bromwich Albion with the season not even at the halfway mark.

The Blades, who also came down from the top-flight last season, missed the chance to improve on their 13th-place position when their home clash with Queens Park Rangers was postponed over the weekend.

Instead, attentions at their Shirecliffe training base have turned towards Fulham – and how to nullify their impressive attacking threats of Aleksandar Mitrović and Harry Wilson, who between them have scored the same number of goals as the Blades so far this season.

But Heckingbottom, who has prior Championship experience from stints in charge of Barnsley and Leeds United, is a firm believer that any second-tier side can beat another on any given day.

"The division had a shake-up this year but there's lots of reasons it is like it is," Heckingbottom said.

"It's very tight but the difference between top and bottom in terms of salaries and things like that is vast and huge.

"But it's funny that, despite all those discrepancies and variations and differences in clubs, it's generally so, so tight when it comes to Saturday afternoons.

"The fact that the Premier League is at the end of it, that just makes it that much more intense. There are lots of good players in this league, all chasing that next step, and a good mentality and good team spirit can overcome a good wage bill.

"There are lots of reasons why it's so tight, and every one of those reasons I've said is why it's exciting."

Monday's meeting between two of the pre-season favourites to be promoted back to the Premier League was earmarked as one to watch, but United did not expect to make the trip to Craven Cottage 12 places adrift of the Londoners in the Championship standings.

The fact that they will – unless the gap increases further when clubs below them play over the weekend – owes more to their below-par start to the current season. Under the permanent charge of Heckingbottom, who replaced former Fulham chief Slavisa Jokanović last month, United have won both their league games.

The extended gap between his side's games – United won't have played for over a fortnight when they step out at Craven Cottage on Monday evening – will give Heckingbottom extra time to get some of his injured players back on the road to recovery, and also work with his squad at their Shirecliffe training base.

To get a positive result at Fulham, they must surely nullify the threat that Mitrović poses. The Serbian striker has scored 22 goals in 21 games for his club this season, and that ratio is 25 in 26 when games for his country are taken into account.

After a drought of two games without a goal, he scored Fulham's opener at the weekend as they drew 1-1 at Luton Town – their fourth successive stalemate.



https://www.thestar.co.uk/sport/football/sheffield-united/boss-reminds-sheffield-united-that-pound-notes-mean-nothing-when-fight-for-points-begins-at-fulham-3494591

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Guidance for Covid Checks at Craven Cottage

Following the introduction of new Government requirements, the Club can confirm that all supporters aged 18 and over will be required to display their NHS COVID vaccine passport/certification or present proof of a negative lateral flow test when attending matches at Craven Cottage.

This Government policy is now a condition of entry to any event in England with more than 10,000 people, therefore including matches at Craven Cottage, and will come into effect from our next home match – Fulham v Sheffield United on Monday 20th December 2021 - until further notice.

Supporters should follow the below information ahead of upcoming matches at Craven Cottage:
BE PREPARED - GET YOUR COVID PASS

You will now need to bring your COVID Pass – available through the NHS App, online at NHS.co.uk or via postal letter - or proof of lateral flow test with you to matches at Craven Cottage. Please have this ready before you reach the queuing lanes in front of the turnstiles, where it will be checked prior to entry to the ground.

Please note, vaccination cards issued at vaccine centres are not accepted as proof of vaccination.

For supporters aged 18 and over who are not yet double vaccinated, you will need to take a lateral flow test within 48 hours of attending the match and subsequently have proof of a negative result via a text message or email from the NHS (white plastic strips from the lateral flow test will not be accepted as proof).

All supporters should also bring Photo ID which may be checked for identity verification purposes.
ARRIVE EARLY

Owing to these new requirements, entry into the ground will take longer than normal.

Turnstiles will now open two-and-a-half hours before kick-off (17:15 for a 19:45 kick-off, 12:30 for a 15:00 kick-off) and with large queues expected we strongly advise fans arrive at least one hour before kick-off.

Please ensure you plan your journey in advance and arrive to Craven Cottage in plenty of time - supporters who arrive 30 minutes prior to kick-off or less do risk missing a significant amount of the first half.

Our early bird offers will be available inside the ground from gates opening, until half an hour before kick-off. Fans can take advantage of subsidised prices on a number of food, alcoholic and soft drink items.

The process of showing your Covid status is now a mandatory requirement for venues, and whilst the Club will do everything it can to ensure the checking process is as smooth as possible for supporters, we politely request that fans are respectful and co-operate with our staff. Any abuse towards staff will not be tolerated and could lead to refusal of entry to the ground.
WEAR A FACE COVERING

The wearing of face coverings is now mandatory in indoor areas.

Please wear a face covering as you enter the turnstiles, walk through concourse areas, to toilets, food and beverage kiosks and any other areas of the ground. Fans do not need to wear a face covering when seated in the stands or when eating and drinking.
DO NOT TRAVEL IF UNWELL

Even if double-vaccinated, supporters must not attend a fixture at Craven Cottage if you, or anybody attending with you, is suffering from symptoms of Covid-19, feels unwell, or is required to self-isolate.

All of the above information applies to all visitors to Craven Cottage.

Matchday Hospitality guests will need to follow a similar process, and will be contacted directly by their Account Managers with further information.
WHAT IS THE NHS COVID PASS?

The NHS COVID Pass shows your coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination details or test results. This is your COVID-19 status. To enter Craven Cottage, you will need one of the following:

    A digital NHS COVID Pass
    A paper NHS COVID Pass
    A negative lateral flow test (LFT) result within the past 48 hours

HOW TO GET A COVID PASS
DIGITAL NHS COVID PASS

Supporters who are fully vaccinated – at least two Covid vaccinations – can obtain their digital COVID Pass via the following:

Online: Available here

Via the NHS App:
1. Download the NHS App from the iOS App Store or Google Play Store
2. Click NHS COVID Pass
3. Click Domestic

If using this service for the first time, follow the prompted steps to register for your digital pass. You will be required to show photo ID and once all online checks are complete and your vaccination status is verified your pass will automatically generate in the app.

Supporters who choose to use the digital NHS COVID Pass to gain entry to Craven Cottage can do one of the following:

    Display the pass on a smartphone in the NHS App
    Download the pass to a smartphone; add it to your Apple or Google Wallet or download as a PDF sent to your email address
    Download and print a physical copy and bring this with you to your event at Craven Cottage

To avoid any internet or connectivity issues when at Craven Cottage, it is recommended that you download a copy of your pass to your smartphone.

Supporters can also download a PDF of their pass, print this, and bring the physical copy with them to the ground. If you do download your digital NHS COVID Pass as a PDF, always check the expiry date before attempting to use it.

The COVID Pass is a QR code, which can be saved or downloaded to your device, and once generated will look like the below examples:

Your digital NHS Covid Pass expires every 30 days - we encourage supporters to ensure their pass is renewed and in date for any upcoming matchdays.
PAPER NHS COVID PASS

Fans who are over 18 and fully vaccinated, but do not have access to a digital passport or are unable to provide photographic ID for the digital passport, can request a paper NHS COVID Pass.

To request a paper NHS COVID Pass, call 119. This service is available seven days a week, between 7am and 11pm. Alternatively, fans request a paper pass or find out more here

Please note, this pass can take up to 5 working days to arrive, and supporters should wait five days after their final dose before requesting the paper copy. Booster vaccinations do not show in the NHS COVID Pass letter but are shown within the digital NHS COVID Pass.
NEGATIVE LATERAL FLOW (LFT) RESULT

For supporters who are not fully vaccinated and over the age of 18, as part of the new requirement for entry to venues with more than 10,000 people, a recent negative lateral flow test is required.

Your test must be taken at home and the negative result registered with the NHS within 48 hours of attending your match at Craven Cottage. 

Lateral Flow Test (LFT) kits can be ordered online or by visiting your local pharmacy.

Within each pack are step-by-step instructions on how to take the test and record the result. You must report your test result - whether positive, negative or void - every time you do a test.

Fans should not bring their physical test with them but record the LFT result with the NHS.

Once your result has been recorded, you will receive a text message and email from the NHS. This is deemed as a valid NHS COVID pass and will need to be presented and checked in order to gain entry to the ground.
INTERNATIONAL VISITORS

If supporters were vaccinated in another country and are visiting Craven Cottage, you can show the same proof of vaccination that was accepted at the UK border. International visitors can also show a valid text or email confirmation of a negative rapid lateral flow or PCR test from NHS Test and Trace.
FURTHER INFORMATION

More guidance about NHS COVID Passes can be found online.

As always, we thank our fans for their continued support and cooperation.


https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2021/december/14/covid-checks-at-craven-cottage/

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Eddie Lewis on his time with Fulham, Leeds, the USMNT and life after football with TOCA

EXCLUSIVE: Eddie Lewis was one of English football's first MLS exports, joining Fulham in 2000 - and would even go on play alongside David Beckham before stepping into the London entertainment scene

Eddie Lewis spent eight years playing in England between spells with San Jose Clash and Los Angeles Galaxy - as well as going to two World Cups with the United States national side.

The versatile left-sided midfielder and defender joined Mohamed Al-Fayed's revolution at Fulham back in February of 2000, helping the club into the Premier League while playing alongside the likes of Louis Saha, Chris Coleman and Luis Boa Morte.

Lewis would go on to spend two years at Craven Cottage before enjoying spells with Preston, Leeds and Derby, and has since had an impact on the London entertainment scene with the world's first interactive football and dining experience.

Lewis told Daily Star Sport of his move to England following three years with San Jose Clash: "Fulham were in the second tier at the time and for me I always wanted to be playing at the highest level available and it felt like the centre of it all in the UK.


Eddie Lewis helped Fulham into the Premier League under the guidance of Jean Tigana (Image: Getty Images)

"What I love about it is that you can go all the way to the top or crash out, there is no limit either way. So any opportunity for me to get aboard was what I was looking for."

Fulham would go on to reach the top flight following a sensational 101-point tally in the old Football League Division 1 under the guidance of iconic former France midfielder Jean Tigana.

Lewis added: "Fulham at the time was when Mohamed Al-Fayed was hoping to turn them into the Manchester United of the south and all the rest so he had the desire and resources.

"Sadly the manager that brought me there left five or six weeks later, but either way it was an incredible experience.

"Playing alongside some fantastic players (like Louis Saha) and Edwin van der Sar was the goalkeeper, there were some really good characters like Cookie (Chris Coleman), Lee Clark and others, they were a tonne of fun and had real quality.

"In fact Steed Malbranque maybe didn't get the attention he should've, day in day out he was one of the most amazing players I've ever been around."

Lewis would leave Fulham in the summer of 2002, going on to make another 200 Football League appearances while starring for the USMNT under Bruce Arena and Bob Bradley.

He adds: "Between Preston, Leeds and Derby I had the opportunity to spend time in many areas of the country and I think probably Leeds was my favourite despite it not being a great time for the club.

"I did really like the atmosphere and the environment as well as the intensity around Elland Road, that was something that was hard to replicate.

"But all of them had so many unique experiences and certainly as an American abroad they are all great times."

Lewis scored 10 goals across 82 international outings between 1996 and 2008, helping the US into the quarter-finals of the 2002 World Cup and playing a key role in their 2010 qualification.

He recalls: "Any chance to get back together with the national team and be around the other American guys was special.

"Certainly the Gold Cup was fun and going to two World Cups which were incredible experiences and hopefully we helped pave the way for other Americans to come abroad."

The end of his career came following a spell with LA Galaxy, during which he would play alongside David Beckham and against Lionel Messi while winning the MLS Western Conference Championship.

Something Lewis was passionate about during his playing days was his small-ball philosophy - and how using a tennis ball helped him improve his close control and skill set.

Lewis was the mastermind behind TOCA Football, a comprehensive training program aimed at helping young footballers of all abilities reach their potential using a smaller ball.

Lewis also spotted an opportunity to create a social experience unlike any other by using the same technology that is used in their 16 centres in the United States.

With the first TOCA Social venue of its kind opening last summer at The O2 in Greenwich, the team have also announced a Birmingham venue with plans for more sites for their football experience that is combined with a modern americana menu as well as cocktails, beers and soft drinks.

Lewis said of the process: "As a professional player I used to train with a tennis ball machine to work on my touch and sharpen up my skills.

"Fast forward to the end of my career and I wanted to bring that concept to more footballers.

"So I spent some time engineering a product, which was a little more soccer/football specific.

"A couple of years later I launched that product, which is still doing really well with 16 centres in the United States and we're very committed to the training side.

"Along the way we found that no matter who came in to train, wether it was a young person or a professional they would always have friends or relatives that always wanted to join in.

"So there was always something about the engagement and the experience of it, and full credit to the team in the UK who have really taken that concept and ran with it."



https://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/exclusive-eddie-lewis-fulham-toca-25697567