The next time you wake up on matchday and open the curtains, it’s pouring with rain and you decide against making the short trip to Craven Cottage, spare a thought for Luca Turchi who has to do slightly more than a short bus journey down Fulham Palace Road to come and watch his beloved Whites. His journey begins the day before in the small Italian town Cesenatico , near Rimini, in Italy.
Yes you did read that correctly, and ever since Fulham’s 1-1 draw against Manchester City during the 04/05 season, Luca has been performing the same fortnightly ritual. “After the game against Manchester City I saw that you could buy Season Tickets, which I did immediately and I have been a Season Ticket Holder ever since.
And what a journey it is as well as Luca went on to explain. “I live in Cesenatico which is near the Adriatic coast close to Rimini. Bologna is the main town closest to where I live and I am able to get flights to London from Bologna Forli airport,” he said. “Say Fulham play at 3pm, I would normally travel the morning of the match. I would leave Cesanatico at 8am; take the 11.00am flight to London which normally gets me to Stansted for midday. From there I get on the Stansted Express to Liverpool Street where I will then take the tube (changing at Notting Hill) to Putney Bridge. I then take my normal leisurely walk to the ground and arrive 30 minutes before kick-off. Although sometimes I travel the day before, particularly for the big games.”
His obvious commitment is further highlighted by only missing two home games throughout last season, the reason being? Not better offers or couldn’t be bothered but adverse weather conditions. “I missed two matches, against Middlesbrough and West Ham, due to not being able to fly over because of heavy fog in Italy and flights were cancelled.” Pretty good excuse I think you will agree.
"Craven Cottage is the ideal stadium to breathe in the mood, tradition and excitement of English football" Luca Turchi
His journey might be slightly different from the rest of us but his ideal day holds a lot of similarities to a large percentage of the population in England. “My ideal day would be to see a Fulham win followed by a trip into town and rounded off by watching highlight’s on Match of the Day. That really gives me great pleasure, Gary Lineker, Mark Lawrenson and Alan Hansen, characters who really make this a wonderful programme.” Yes indeed, a true English footballing fan.
And what of Fulham? When asked about his favourite game there is no hesitation in his voice, “the victory over Arsenal.”
Many people might have gone for the monumental victory of Chelsea last season but Luca is clear in his reasoning. “I know we also beat Chelsea but this was a difficult victory to enjoy as I never thought Fulham would hold on for some reason and was worried that Chelsea would grab an equalizer before the end,” said Luca. “However the game against Arsenal I was never in any doubt that the victory was ours as we played extremely well throughout the match. Even when Arsenal pulled a goal back from the free-kick I wasn’t worried, anything can happen from a free-kick the key thing was that Arsenal was unable to get the better of us in open play during this match.”
A disappointing moment for Luca came during the January transfer window as his favourite player, Luis Boa Morte departed, a moment when he felt “slightly betrayed”. But there are a number of players who he feels can fill the role of favourite player. “I always enjoy watching and following with great interest McBride and Rosenior. Rosenior is young but has great strength and the leadership of someone who has been playing a long time. McBride also has great physical presence; he can hold the ball up front well and involve other players into the game.”
Of course, it wouldn’t be right to go without mentioning the arrival of Vincenzo Montella to the Club, a shrewd signing in Luca’s opinion. “I am delighted that Fulham have signed a player of fantastic quality and that a fellow Italian is representing Fulham, I’m the first to applaud him when he enters the pitch.”
And Luca is in no doubt about the capabilities of the man in charge. “Chris Coleman is much younger than me; I think I’m three or four years older than him. He is a good manager and has done extremely well. His teams are well organised, he rarely gets substitutions wrong and is able to replace a player when required at the right time.”
Luca’s love for the Club is evident; it runs much deeper than just the players and the Manager but the identity and history of this proud football club. “I have always loved English football and to watch a game in a beautiful stadium, because for me Craven Cottage is the most beautiful stadium,” Luca explained. “It’s next to a park, by the side of the Thames there’s the wonderful Stevenage Road, now Johnny Haynes Stand which is over 100 years old, in fact Craven Cottage is the ideal stadium to breathe in the mood, tradition and excitement of English football. The actual cottage, located at the corner of the ground, is truly wonderful.”
It is amazing to think that the reach of Fulham has passed outside London and touched the hearts of supporters throughout the world. Luca is testament to a great Club, so the next time you think about ‘giving the match a miss’ think about Luca flying in from Bologna, puts the bus journey into perspective.
