The forever fulham award

[General]

Can anyone enlighten me as to what it actually is all about?

I know its been happening for a while and Brede got it again half time, but not completely sure what it is or means.

Obviously it's a way of acknowledging players who've particularly stood out for us and contributed in a meaningful way, but does anyone know what the criteria are and also what getting a forever fulham award means?

Is it a permanent season ticket for life but with some minor T+Cs?

Also, writing this reminded me of how unceremoniously hangeland left the club. He still could've played and we didn't want him and there was a slight conflict about it - did we not offer him a contract? Thing that sticks out in memory most is the leaving note from the club which was particularly flippant and small given the contribution he had made and during such a successful period for the club. Wasn't that under the khan's? What happened?

[General]

The hangeland departure page

https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2014/june/03/hangeland-departs/

[General]

A list (with interviews) of all the players who've been awarded it.

https://www.fulhamfc.com/more/forever-fulham/

[RaySmith]

Can anyone enlighten me as to what it actually is all about?

I know its been happening for a while and Brede got it again half time, but not completely sure what it is or means.

Obviously it's a way of acknowledging players who've particularly stood out for us and contributed in a meaningful way, but does anyone know what the criteria are and also what getting a forever fulham award means?

Is it a permanent season ticket for life but with some minor T+Cs?

Also, writing this reminded me of how unceremoniously hangeland left the club. He still could've played and we didn't want him and there was a slight conflict about it - did we not offer him a contract? Thing that sticks out in memory most is the leaving note from the club which was particularly flippant and small given the contribution he had made and during such a successful period for the club. Wasn't that under the khan's? What happened?

Magath was manager, when Hangelund was one of the last of the previous Prem squad to depart, apparently previously keen to stay, as was Steve Sidwell, but then not offered the terms they wanted, and leaving on  acrimonious terms apparently -so was under the Khans I suppose, but don't know  how much they had to do with it.

I remember Magath was obsessed with playing youngsters, and got rid of most of the experienced pro's - with Scott Parker being one of the only ones left from the Prem , whom he played as captain,  in a team of youngsters, who seemed out of their depth, and it was only Kit Symons taking over who steadied the ship and helped us avoid relegation.

I think the award just acknowledges past Fulham players, which is a nice thing to do.
Clubs don't always treat past players with the respect they deserve, and acknowledge what they've done in front of the fans, many of whom will have watched them play.

[Cambridge Away]

A list (with interviews) of all the players who've been awarded it.

https://www.fulhamfc.com/more/forever-fulham/

I was looking for a list of who has been awarded the Forever Fulham award and came across this thread (and the page linked above). Why does the official Fulham page not have any updates since May? I don't even know if they've included everyone before May? It seems sad that players are awarded something that does not seem to be as respected by the club as it could be. I was expecting that there would be a page that would be updated at least.... and perhaps even a physical board on a wall, with some sort of engraving (or whatever you call it), that people would see when they went on the Fulham stadium tour. Apparently not.

I also think it's a shame that on the website videos for these awards the fans chanting seems much quieter than it actually is on the day. The videos give the impression of a muted appreciation, when it is more 'vociferous'. They should probably have a separate microphone nearer the Hammersmith end, although i am pleased that they do this award for ex players at all in the way they do, rather than just welcoming ex pros back as they used to.

[General]

I think the award just acknowledges past Fulham players, which is a nice thing to do.
Clubs don't always treat past players with the respect they deserve, and acknowledge what they've done in front of the fans, many of whom will have watched them play.

But what do they get in the box they're given and what do you have to have achieved to get a forever fulham award. It clearly isn't something publicly given to every player who has played for us.

Is it a lifetime season ticket or invite to any fulham match?

It's so vague and poorly communicated by the club.

It seemed to have just been started at some point with no explanation.

Am I the only one who finds it odd that noone knows exactly what it's about and the club don't explain it anywhere on the site?

[fulhamfan]

whys it annoying you so much ?

https://www.fulhamfc.com/more/forever-fulham/

Over the years, a number of familiar faces have been invited back to Craven Cottage to receive the Forever Fulham award, presented as a thank you for their services to the Club.

[General]

whys it annoying you so much ?

https://www.fulhamfc.com/more/forever-fulham/

Over the years, a number of familiar faces have been invited back to Craven Cottage to receive the Forever Fulham award, presented as a thank you for their services to the Club.

Because apart from 'recognition', we don't know what qualifies a player for it or what they get in the box they're given that acknowledges their contribution.. is it just a vanity piece of marketing?

There's little on the site, there's no knowing acknowledgement of the contributions behind a half time talk, video and post online.. it just seems spectacularly shallow.

Surely that can't be everything?

[Cambridge Away]

whys it annoying you so much ?

https://www.fulhamfc.com/more/forever-fulham/

Over the years, a number of familiar faces have been invited back to Craven Cottage to receive the Forever Fulham award, presented as a thank you for their services to the Club.

Because apart from 'recognition', we don't know what qualifies a player for it or what they get in the box they're given that acknowledges their contribution.. is it just a vanity piece of marketing?

There's little on the site, there's no knowing acknowledgement of the contributions behind a half time talk, video and post online.. it just seems spectacularly shallow.

Surely that can't be everything?

Yes, it does seem a bit like virtue signalling if they are not going do the basics. I don't think an explanation is needed for what the requirement is to qualify a player for the award, and i wouldn't begrudge any for getting one (and have been happy with selections so far); but i think it is quite disrespectful to those who do get one that they don't then follow up with putting their name in lights. Putting their name on the website should be a minimum and they have failed to do that (which as you say, seems really shallow). Not updating since at least May is awful. And then yeah, something along the lines of a ticket for free with a '+3' for friends/family (whenever they are in town and without them having to ask) would seem apt, if that is not done already.

Fulham director David Daly is the one who comes onto the pitch every game to present the award, so perhaps the question should be asked of him?

[SG]

I understood it was for a minimum of 100 appearances for the club. So in practical terms someone who was at the club for at least 3 to 4 years minimum. But I may be wrong

[Wolf]

I understood it was for a minimum of 100 appearances for the club. So in practical terms someone who was at the club for at least 3 to 4 years minimum. But I may be wrong

I believe this is the case. I know someone who is friends with someone who received the Forever Fulham award. They were rather bemused by it, being more synonymous with another club. They had a lovely day out though.

[Stoneleigh Loyalist]

Alan Clarke comes to mind. A brilliant player who I loved to watch but hardly Forever Fulham he was only here five minutes.

[Colton F.C.]

Alan Clarke comes to mind. A brilliant player who I loved to watch but hardly Forever Fulham he was only here five minutes.

Allen Clarke exactly 100 appearances.  Ken Coton may not have played 100 times.  I suppose the thousands of time in attendance may have counted.

[Cambridge Away]

I understood it was for a minimum of 100 appearances for the club. So in practical terms someone who was at the club for at least 3 to 4 years minimum. But I may be wrong

I believe this is the case. I know someone who is friends with someone who received the Forever Fulham award. They were rather bemused by it, being more synonymous with another club. They had a lovely day out though.

This pretty much sums it up.
You have to give the club credit for making changes to the format of ex players coming on the pitch for a 'wave and chat' (The award and video for website being obvious ones); but it's only some minor tweaks and then the award becomes much more prestigous. Rather than having ex players/legends "bemused" by it

[Fulham 442]

I understood it was for a minimum of 100 appearances for the club. So in practical terms someone who was at the club for at least 3 to 4 years minimum. But I may be wrong

I believe this is the case. I know someone who is friends with someone who received the Forever Fulham award. They were rather bemused by it, being more synonymous with another club. They had a lovely day out though.

Exactly this, I have found some of the awards equally bemusing!

[Carborundum]

In the spirit of looking forward rather than backwards, I miss the half time kids penalty shootouts.  Those kids had an experience to remember, the crowd were good natured and the dodgy tannoy rendered irrelevant.  I'd be happy to see it back if and when we run out of credible candidates.

Failing that, can we get Clive Walker back and ask him the question that his recent appearance begged: "Precisely how come you look younger and fitter now than when you played?".   

[AnotherOldgit]

I think the main qualification is whoever is available! Neeskins was a late substitute - it was supposed to be Louis Saha.

[Fulham 442]

In the spirit of looking forward rather than backwards, I miss the half time kids penalty shootouts.  Those kids had an experience to remember, the crowd were good natured and the dodgy tannoy rendered irrelevant.  I'd be happy to see it back if and when we run out of credible candidates.

Failing that, can we get Clive Walker back and ask him the question that his recent appearance begged: "Precisely how come you look younger and fitter now than when you played?".   

I loved the kids penalty shoot outs!  Conversely I didn't think much of the Cravenettes!!

[sunburywhite]

STILL A NUMBER OF PLAYERS WHO MADE 100 APPEARENCES TO GO

         apps   goals   apps   goals      
Steve Earle   FW   1963–1973   291   98   327   108   0   0
John Dempsey   DF   1964–1969   149   4   171   8   19   1
Fred Callaghan   DF   1964–1974   295   9   336   12   0   0
Les Barrett   MF   1965–1977   423   75   491   90   0   0
Allan Clarke   FW   1966–1968   86   45   100   57   19   10
Jimmy Conway   MF   1966–1976   316   67   360   76   20   0
Reg Matthewson   DF   1968–1973   158   1   174   1   0   0
Malcolm Webster   GK   1969–1974   94   0   104   0   0   0
Barry Lloyd   MF   1969–1976   257   29   290   30   0   0
Jimmy Dunne   DF   1970–1976   143   2   166   2   1   0
John Lacy   DF   1971–1978   168   7   188   8   0   0
Les Strong   DF   1971–1983   372   5   427   6   0   0
John Cutbush   DF   1972–1977   134   3   160   3   0   0
Peter Mellor   GK   1972–1977   190   0   224   0   0   0
John Mitchell   FW   1972–1978   169   56   194   60   0   0
Viv Busby   FW   1973–1976   118   28   143   36   0   0
Alan Slough   MF   1973–1977   154   14   187   17   0   0
Bobby Moore   DF   1974–1977   124   1   150   1   108   2
Terry Bullivant   MF   1974–1979   101   2   115   2   0   0
John Evanson   MF   1976–1979   95   5   107   5   0   0
Gerry Peyton   GK   1976–1986   345   0   395   0   33   0
Richard Money   DF   1977–1980   106   3   115   4   0   0
Tony Gale   DF   1977–1984   277   19   318   21   0   0
John Beck   MF   1978–1983   114   12   126   13   0   0
Kevin Lock   DF   1978–1985   211   27   236   29   0   0
Gordon Davies ♠   FW   1978–1991   396   159   450   178 ♠   16   2
Robert Wilson   MF   1979–1985   223   38   243   42   0   0
      1987–1989                  
Roger Brown   DF   1980–1983   141   18   161   19   0   0
Jim Stannard   GK   1980–1985   391   1   430   1   0   0
Ray Lewington ♦   MF   1980–1985   234   21   276   24   0   0
      1986–1990                  
Dean Coney   FW   1980–1987   211   56   244   72   0   0
Peter Scott   MF   1981–1992   277   27   306   34   0   0
Jeff Hopkins   DF   1981–1988   219   4   257   6   16   0
Ray Houghton   MF   1982–1985   129   16   145   21   73   6
Paul Parker   DF   1982–1997   157   2   184   3   19   0
Leroy Rosenior   FW   1982–1990   99   38   109   40   1   0
John Marshall   MF   1982–1997   413   28   467   32   0   0
Gary Elkins   DF   1983–1990   104   2   114   2   0   0
Gary Barnett   MF   1984–1990   182   31   209   35   0   0
Glen Thomas   DF   1985–1994   253   6   282   6   0   0
Justin Skinner   MF   1986–1991   137   23   154   27   0   0
Clive Walker   MF   1987–1989   109   29   125   32   0   0
Jeff Eckhardt   DF   1987–1994   249   25   270   25   0   0
Gary Brazil   FW   1990–1996   214   48   256   60   0   0
Mark Newson   DF   1990–1993   102   4   110   4   0   0
Julian Hails   MF   1990–1994   109   12   126   13   0   0
Martin Pike   DF   1990–1994   190   14   205   15   0   0
Simon Morgan   DF   1990–2001   352   47   420   56   0   0
Sean Farrell   FW   1991–1994   94   31   104   35   0   0
Duncan Jupp   MF   1993–1996   105   3   127   3   0   0
Terry Angus   DF   1993–1997   120   5   146   7   0   0
Robbie Herrera   DF   1993–1998   144   2   180   2   0   0
Nick Cusack   MF   1994–1997   112   14   135   18   0   0
Mark Blake   DF   1994–1998   141   17   161   20   0   0
Martin Thomas   MF   1994–1998   87   8   105   11   0   0
Mike Conroy   FW   1995–1998   94   32   115   42   0   0
Sean Davis   MF   1996–2004   155   14   198   20   0   0
Steve Hayward   MF   1997–2001   117   8   150   12   0   0
Paul Peschisolido   FW   1997–2001   97   24   117   30   53   10
Chris Coleman (c) ♦   DF   1997–2002   138   8   165   11   32   4
Paul Trollope   MF   1997–2002   78   5   101   6   9   0
Maik Taylor   GK   1997–2004   187   0   235   0   87   0
Kit Symons   DF   1998–2001   102   13   129   14   36   2
Rufus Brevett   DF   1998–2003   175   1   217   2   0   0
Steve Finnan   DF   1998–2003   173   6   209   7   52   2
Barry Hayles *   FW   1998–2004   174   44   214   57   10   0
Andy Melville (c)   DF   1999–2004   153   4   193   4   65   3
Lee Clark (c)   MF   1999–2005   151   20   178   22   0   0
Zat Knight (c)   DF   1999–2007   150   3   181   4   2   0
Luís Boa Morte (c)   FW   2000–2001   205   44   250   54   28   1
      2001–2007                  
Bjarne Goldbæk   MF   2000–2003   85   6   104   7   28   0
Louis Saha   FW   2000–2004   117   53   144   64   20   4
Edwin van der Sar   GK   2001–2005   127   0   154   0   130   0
Alain Goma (c)   DF   2001–2006   117   0   152   0   2   0
Sylvain Legwinski   MF   2001–2006   128   8   164   12   0   0
Steed Malbranque   MF   2001–2006   172   32   211   44   0   0
                        
Moritz Volz   DF   2003–2004   125   2   144   4   0   0
      2004–2009                  
Tomasz Radzinski   FW   2004–2007   103   10   117   17   46   10
Carlos Bocanegra   DF   2004–2008   116   8   136   8   110   14
Collins John *   FW   2004–2008   95   20   108   23   2   0
Brian McBride   FW   2004–2008   139   32   153   40   95   30
Chris Baird *   DF   2007–2013   127   4   167   4   77   0
      2016                  
Simon Davies   MF   2007–2013   137   13   169   17   58   6
Clint Dempsey   MF   2007–2012   189   49   230   58   135   57
      2014                  
Aaron Hughes   DF   2007–2014   186   1   238   2   112   1
Paul Konchesky *   DF   2007–2010   97   2   122   2   2   0
Danny Murphy (c)   MF   2007–2012   169   18   210   29   9   1
Dickson Etuhu *   MF   2008–2012   91   3   127   6   33   0
Brede Hangeland (c)   DF   2008–2014   221   8   281   12   91   4
Mark Schwarzer   GK   2008–2013   172   0   221   0   109   0
Zoltán Gera   MF   2008–2011   86   5   121   17   97   26
Andrew Johnson   FW   2008–2012   86   13   111   27   8   0
Bobby Zamora   FW   2008–2012   91   20   134   37   2   0
Damien Duff   MF   2009–2014   134   15   173   22   100   8
Steve Sidwell   MF   2011–2014   92   14   113   17   0   0
Bryan Ruiz *   FW   2011–2015   97   12   107   13   125   26
Scott Parker (c)♦   MF   2013–2017   119   6   128   6   18   0
Marcus Bettinelli ‡   GK   2014– 2021   95   0   112   0   0   0
Ross McCormack *   FW   2014–2016   96   38   100   42   13   2
Tom Cairney (c) ‡   MF   2015–   155   27   169   29   2   0
Tim Ream ‡   DF   2015–   138   1   154   1   35   1
Ryan Fredericks *   FW   2015–2018   106   0   114   0   0   0
Stefan Johansen ‡   MF   2016–2021   99   19   111   21   47   5
Kevin McDonald ‡   MF   2016–   102   6   113   6   5   0
Denis Odoi ‡   DF   2016–2022   101   3   112   6   1   0
Ryan Sessegnon *   FW   2016–2019   104   22   118   25   0   0

[fluffyninja]

I love the idea because it gives the younger generation of fans the chance to have a bit of knowledge about club legends and cult heroes like Simon Morgan , John Marshall , Les Strong  etc and many more players that were not "household names" partly because of our place in the pyramid at the time.

When I was at school you couldn't walk into sports shops and buy a Fulham kit , there was no online shopping
and you had to go into the club shop which was the size of a broom cupboard.

Now the games are watched by so many people around the world and Fulham shirts are recognised when wearing them on holiday in Thailand , after a few appearances on TV all the players are household names