Doesn't make financial sense

[Pie n Mash]

To play in Europe.

Winner of the Conference gets around $7m (apparently), Europa League not much better, but at least with Europa league you get the chance to qualify for CL.

Larger squad requirements, bonus payments, increased salaries, unless we make CL, financially, it's not worth backing a manager to qualify for lower European comps

From a fans point of view, obviously we look at things differently.

I certainly don't put anything into my business I don't need to, mid table is actually a good place for the khan's to keep us.

Still doesn't explain the awful style of football we play but makes sense unless we make a push for CL either directly or via EL

[FulhamKC]

But is mid-table football enjoyable? It essentially means that we lose or draw as much as we win. It's certainly better than relegation football but I find it boring to be average. I'm not necessarily saying I want us to be in the Championship, but it sure was fun contending for promotion or the league championship.

So, I guess I want us to be good enough to challenge for the PL title and European football.

[SerbianLad]

It's still another chance to get a trophy, and you get to play teams you normally wouldn't.

[St Eve]

You also attract players to the club, more attendance and tv money and more likely to retain Marco, Wilson and Raul

[iansthailand]

As Pie and Mash says economically playing in Europe is only good if you're in the CL, the other two are break even at best Conference and make a a few bob in the other one. As we are unlikely to ever make the CL the club has to make the decision Trophies or cash. The other money in the equation is league position (worth about 3.1 Mil a place according to Kieran Maguire).

[Hugh Janus]

I am pretty sure Europe would relegate us. I don't understand this obsession with it given the current SCR guidelines. West Ham, Burnley, Forest have all suffered because of it. Leeds ended up in League One. Be careful.

[perry geyton]

To play in Europe.

Winner of the Conference gets around $7m (apparently), Europa League not much better, but at least with Europa league you get the chance to qualify for CL.

Larger squad requirements, bonus payments, increased salaries, unless we make CL, financially, it's not worth backing a manager to qualify for lower European comps

From a fans point of view, obviously we look at things differently.

I certainly don't put anything into my business I don't need to, mid table is actually a good place for the khan's to keep us.

Still doesn't explain the awful style of football we play but makes sense unless we make a push for CL either directly or via EL

Wouldn't get me excited either winning  that tin pot tournament

[Jonny4]

Haven't won our trophy in our history & we're turning our noses up at a European Cup?

Oh behave!

[Twig]

To play in Europe.

Winner of the Conference gets around $7m (apparently), Europa League not much better, but at least with Europa league you get the chance to qualify for CL.

Larger squad requirements, bonus payments, increased salaries, unless we make CL, financially, it's not worth backing a manager to qualify for lower European comps

From a fans point of view, obviously we look at things differently.

I certainly don't put anything into my business I don't need to, mid table is actually a good place for the khan's to keep us.

Still doesn't explain the awful style of football we play but makes sense unless we make a push for CL either directly or via EL

Wouldn't get me excited either winning  that tin pot tournament

Did you go to any of our away games during Roy's run to the final? It was bloody wonderful and even a run to the final of the Conference would get my blood pumping. Not sure I'd be calling it tinpot after I had travelled and watched us win the final!

[KentFulham]

So we have reached the stage of the season where we try and justify why not getting Europe via league/cup, remaining mid table is a good thing......

[Whitestone]

Football in general doesn't make financial sense. The glory of winning a European final would be magnificent for the players and supporters of a club like Fulham.

[Angus Telford]

There's no obligation to spend on a bigger squad and pay higher wages. The only guarantee is some extra prize/TV money (including from the PL for the higher league position), increased attendances, increased club profile and stature, etc. I reckon the indirect benefits are pretty substantial. Then you have the option of using some or all of that to improve your team. Worst case scenario if you don't do enough, you just go out in the early rounds.

In any case it's a necessary stepping stone to progress. We aren't going to jump from lower mid-table to winning the league. So if we're not pushing for Europe, why are we even here?

[H4usuallysitting]

Nothing in football makes financial sense....

But being in Europe would add commercial value to the club in the event of selling or borrowing against the club

[Twig]

There's no obligation to spend on a bigger squad and pay higher wages. The only guarantee is some extra prize/TV money (including from the PL for the higher league position), increased attendances, increased club profile and stature, etc. I reckon the indirect benefits are pretty substantial. Then you have the option of using some or all of that to improve your team. Worst case scenario if you don't do enough, you just go out in the early rounds.

In any case it's a necessary stepping stone to progress. We aren't going to jump from lower mid-table to winning the league. So if we're not pushing for Europe, why are we even here?

Exactly this.

[HobGoblin]

Let's not be ambitious, leave that to Palace and Brentford. ...... we should just be happy to be here i guess

[acji]

To play in Europe.

Winner of the Conference gets around $7m (apparently), Europa League not much better, but at least with Europa league you get the chance to qualify for CL.

Larger squad requirements, bonus payments, increased salaries, unless we make CL, financially, it's not worth backing a manager to qualify for lower European comps

From a fans point of view, obviously we look at things differently.

I certainly don't put anything into my business I don't need to, mid table is actually a good place for the khan's to keep us.

Still doesn't explain the awful style of football we play but makes sense unless we make a push for CL either directly or via EL

Wouldn't get me excited either winning  that tin pot tournament

Did you go to any of our away games during Roy's run to the final? It was bloody wonderful and even a run to the final of the Conference would get my blood pumping. Not sure I'd be calling it tinpot after I had travelled and watched us win the final!

Exactly. People who were there on 12 May 2010 still remember the  day. Some things you cannot put a price on.

[demeant0r]

Christ, do you turn your nose up at the League Cup too? Some fans really want us to stay as little Fulham

[Southcoastffc]

Any Europe run/trophy would be fun for supporters but there was an article in The Times about a week or 10 days ago which analysed the finances of the Conference and concluded that clubs participating actually lose money - flights  accommodation etc far outweigh income apparently

Travel across Europe (often long trips to smaller leagues)

Player bonuses for European matches

Matchday operations

Squad depth / rotation costs

Potential league performance impact from extra fixtures

[MickTheBeard]

Yes it puts a strain on finances but a well run club would have 5 twenty/twenty one year olds supporting a 25 squad  which is better scouted to suit the type of football coached at the time rather than players who aren't built to play domestic and European games our squad struggles to play 60mins.

[iansthailand]

I don't think any/maybe one or two would turn their nose up at a European Cup run of any sort. I was only looking at it from a financial point of view. As, Angus i believe said, what's the point of being here if you don't want to win. There is a balance to be had and maybe, at times, that balance swings to the financial side and sometimes to give it good go.
Who, back in the eighties, even thought of the Championship let alone the PL or CL. Even these good times, under Marco and the Khans may not always be here. Enjoy the Wins, Draws and even some of the losses we still have a Club.