As I welcome you to the start of a new season here at Craven Cottage in front of you, our loyal supporters, I would like to reflect on events that have taken place since my last notes back in May.
I was saddened to hear of the passing of Tony Fisher, a remarkable fan who followed Fulham home and away for many years. Tony was voted ‘Super Fan’ in 2018, which meant bringing out the Championship Play-Off Final trophy onto the pitch at Wembley Stadium before kick-off at our game against Aston Villa. I hope that was a special moment for Tony. I know it’s a memory we will always treasure here at the Club.
My memory of Tony was sharing time with him in a 30-minute special that the NBC television network produced on Fulham in the U.S. during the summer of 2018 ahead of our return to the Premier League. NBC informed us that the feature would highlight our early and recent history as well as comments from me, Tim Ream and a to-be-named supporter who embodied our values and understood the joys, and sometime challenges, of backing Fulham. That supporter would be Tony Fisher.
The production schedule did not permit for all of this to take place at once, so I was essentially introduced to Tony when I saw the broadcast. My reaction then, and now, was that Tony Fisher was perfectly cast. He was the quintessential Fulham Football Club supporter, and that’s how we’ll remember him.
My thoughts are with Tony’s family and friends, as I am sure that the start to the season without Tony will be a painful one. I have the sense Tony will be with us all the same, today and throughout the season, and we will do our best at all times to honour his faithful support.
We embark on this campaign in the Championship, and I would like to welcome the players, fans and club personnel of Middlesbrough who are visiting us here this afternoon. Of course, it is also wonderful to have you, and each and every Fulham supporter, coming through the turnstiles again at Craven Cottage. We’ve waited a long time to again enjoy a genuine football experience here and throughout grounds in England and beyond. I’ve personally been away too long due to the pandemic, and I am going to relish every moment of reliving the traditions and experiences that come with matchday at Craven Cottage.
We have a lot of respect for the Championship, and have enjoyed great success in our last two campaigns in this division. Ultimately, however, it is a league that we will dedicate our ambition and desire to leave behind us again, nine months from now. We are under no illusions of the task ahead of us, but I firmly believe that under the new stewardship of Marco Silva and his backroom team, that we have the right people in charge to lead us forward with this goal in mind.
It was important for me to interview our next coach in person, especially given that we were looking at candidates from outside the Club. The borders of Portugal were open, so we agreed to connect there, but I would have met him anywhere based on the favourable reports I had received in the weeks prior to the interview. Marco impressed me from the start, and the work that he has undertaken since being appointed has been equally notable. Marco is working tirelessly to ensure that his preparations will give us the best possible chance to realise success this season, and I hope you will give him a warm ovation this afternoon. I know that you will be excited to see Luis Boa Morte walk across the Craven Cottage pitch once again, this time in the role of assisting Marco as First Team Coach as we aim for a great start and compete for promotion.
With all new dawns come goodbyes. I would like to thank all of our former players who are starting the season elsewhere, and in particular want to commend Marcus Bettinelli, Kevin McDonald and Stefan Johansen for their service to the Club over many years. I wish them continued success on the pitch and, in Kevin’s case, good health off it as he continues his recovery. All three players understood and appreciated the honour of wearing the Fulham badge, and they wore it well. Conversely, we were fortunate to be the beneficiaries of their commitment and class. Best of luck, gentlemen!
And now, we begin a new chapter that will include Harry Wilson and Paulo Gazzaniga. I believe both are exceptional additions to our squad and I’ve personally loved reading what each of them have had to say about joining Fulham and seizing the opportunity ahead. That spirit, combined with what they deliver as players, is just what we’re looking for. Welcome, Harry and Paulo!
For one last note on the First Team, I’d like to congratulate Bobby De Cordova-Reid for earning Goal of the Tournament honours as a member of the Jamaica National Team in the Concacaf Gold Cup competition that ended last weekend. If you haven’t seen it, do look for it online. Nicely done, Bobby!
Behind the scenes work is, always, ongoing both on and off the pitch and we are delighted to announced new partners that are now part of the Fulham family: World Mobile joins as Principal Partner which will adorn the front of the new season’s shirt, and Spreadex, another Principal Partner which will feature on its reverse. I’ll confess that I look forward to our new kits each year as much as anyone, and was thrilled with both the overall design and how our partners’ brands feature on the shirts both home and away. I thank and commend all involved, and want to also extend my appreciation to our entire roster of official Club partners and suppliers, old and new. These partnerships are testament to the hard-working commercial team here, and those we have welcomed, along with those still with us, share our optimism and ambition for the future.
In our Academy there have been some changes to maximise the continued success of our youth programmes going forward. Huw Jennings’ promotion to Head of Football Development is a role that he will relish as we strive to develop closer domestic and international links in a post-Brexit era, strengthening Fulham’s reach to recruit and nurture talent. Mike Cave’s promotion to Academy Director will ensure that we sustain our elite Category One status, providing the best possible platform for players to achieve success. Finally, Colin Omogbehin’s promotion to First Team Development Coach will ensure the development pathway from Academy to First Team is a seamless transition.
And, be assured that our Academy will always be a priority. Its importance was underlined in our friendly last weekend against Charlton, when Tyrese Francois threaded a spectacular feed to Fabio Carvalho who converted for the only goal of the match and a 1-0 win for Fulham. Both youngsters are products of our Academy and will undoubtedly play a role in our mission ahead this season. It was a rewarding moment for both, as well as our Academy, and I am confident there will be many more.
As you will see today, the work on the Riverside Stand continues at pace and with each month that passes, we are seeing a fantastic piece of architecture and design develop along the Thames, but importantly, one that will be accessible to fans, residents, and visitors. A proposal for a river boat service, at Fulham Pier, that is specifically designed for commuting, leisure and community use, will connect the Riverside Stand development to central London and will offer the local community improved transport infrastructure. This will be a real landmark that we can all be proud of, as it will be a signature of Fulham Football Club while serving the local community and city that have been our home for well over a century.
Now it’s time for football! And, compared to a year ago, I am delighted to be able to say that knowing we will have thousands on hand at Craven Cottage today and throughout the season to enjoy it. Let’s back Marco and the squad as we aim to start the season brightly with three points versus Middlesbrough. And, as ever, thank you for your passion and belief in Fulham Football Club.
Come on, Fulham!
