Last month we asked you to tell us about your away match experiences following the mighty Whites in the month of December which included trips to the Britannia Stadium and White Hart Lane.
Congratulations go to Tom Wadlington who told us about his transatlantic trip to White Hart Lane to see Fulham take on Spurs on Boxing Day.
“My long day’s journey into White (Hart Lane) began in Kennebunkport, Maine, on Christmas Eve, as I headed south to Boston for the red-eye to Heathrow,” he wrote. “A dozen or so of us met up at Hatton Cross at half-ten for the Tube ride to North London, stopping in Camden for food and refreshment along the way. Expectations among the fans were that we could well win our first away match of the season, with a draw being a satisfactory result. More than 2,000 Fulham fans filled the Upper and Lower Tier seats.
“The team has come along quite nicely under Roy Hodgson's tutelage this season and FFC are now showing that we fear no team, with an airtight defence led by Fulham’s Norse legend in the making, Brede Hangeland, and the very capable Mark Schwarzer. Although Hangeland would sit out the Spurs match with the flu and Jimmy Bullard would leave before half-time with a knock, we saw that Chris Baird and Dickson Etuhu could fill in admirably. Actual depth.
“As the match progressed, both teams created chances on the break and we were unlucky not to score when Clint Dempsey's overhead volley was saved by Gomes – a sign of more fruitful things to come on the Sunday. Andy Johnson and Bobby Zamora went close in the second half and we defended well when Modric and Assou-Ekotto led the Spurs attack, making the final 0-0 score line a fair result. Danny Murphy, as usual, was rock solid in directing play through the midfield and Schwarzer made some fine saves to keep another clean sheet.
“It was gratifying, in the sporting sense, to have come so many winter miles and hear the Fulham supporters in such fine voice throughout the match, at one point going on for some 10 minutes straight with the "Roy Hodgson's Black and White Army" chant — much to the chagrin of Spurs fans, who didn't have much to cheer about really. But we did. That's eight matches without a loss heading into the derby with the lot down the road. So much has been written about that match, it seems superfluous to add my own personal “wow”.
“More telling to me was the happy trip back to West London for a Boxing Day dinner at my mate's family's house. After dinner, it was heart-warming to watch the young grandson in the family open his Christmas present to find his first Fulham kit. While he was clearly thrilled, you could see how much it meant to his grandfather and his uncle, who have been season ticket holders for decades, now. That, to me, is what I am most grateful for - Fulham Football Club has helped to create memories on the pitch and friendships off it - memories that will last a lifetime, and that's what it's all about, isn't it?
“Walking in a Fulham wonderland!”
Tell us why you should be Away Fan of the Month for January by sending us your story (using the submission form below), by Saturday 31st January. Every story will be read and the overall monthly winner will by picked by one of the First Team players.
The lucky winner will receive a shirt 'off the back' of their favourite Fulham player, signed! What's more, you will be presented with the signed shirt on the pitch at Craven Cottage. And just in case that's not enough, your winning story will be published on fulhamfc.com for all fellow fans to read!
Winners of each monthly competition will automatically be entered into the competition to find the Club's Away Fan of the Year! We have a fantastic prize on offer to the overall winner in addition to the glory and honour of being recognised as the Club's most ardent and loyal Away Fan.
So what are you waiting for? Submit your Fulham away story for the month of January below and good luck!