Fans’ favourite John Pantsil was another who celebrated an excellent first season at Craven Cottage with a string of notable performances.
The Ghanaian international has captured the hearts of the Fulham faithful with his energy and enthusiasm, not to mention his now famous post-match lap of honour. After two fairly ineffective years at Upton Park with West Ham United the hard-working right-back has been transformed under the guidance of Roy Hodgson.
And since his switch alongside Bobby Zamora in the summer of 2008, Pantsil has been, by some quarters, lauded as one of the most effective attacking full-backs in the English top-flight. Indeed, at one stage last season Pantsil had put more crosses into opponents’ boxes than any other player.
Another with European know-how, having played for Maccabi Tel-Aviv in the Champions League and for Hapoel Tel-Aviv in the UEFA Cup. With more than 50 caps for his country, Pantsil has represented the Black Stars at the African Cup of Nations and the 2006 World Cup Finals.
Pantsil has developed into a more than reliable performer using his acceleration to cover at the back and his powerful bursts to support the midfield.
Pantsil was enjoying another memorable campaign this season until picking up a knee ligament injury during the West London derby at the tail end of 2009.
Pantsil is expected to return to Roy Hodgson's Team before the end of the current season and Fulham fans will be hoping the right-back recovers in time to feature at the 2010 World Cup Finals in South Africa.