This is as momentous of an occasion as I’ve had in my nine years of writing programme notes as Chairman of your Club. Fulham has been promoted to the Premier League. Aleksandar Mitrović is the Championship Player of the Year. We’ve hit impressive personal and team milestones. We will enjoy a post-season free of the anxiety of the Play-Offs and another winner-take-all match at Wembley Stadium. And of this writing on Saturday, Fulham is on the verge of being crowned league Champions for the first time since 2001.
This is the setting today as I welcome you to our last home match this season in the Sky Bet Championship. The lost opportunity to clinch the title last week here at Craven Cottage stings, but Nottingham Forest has been flying and showed why its run through the FA Cup was not by accident. Now we have a second opportunity to hoist league silverware, and we can do it in front of our Fulham Family. Life is good!
We welcome a quality visiting side in Luton Town that is determined to join us in the Premier League next season, and to add to the moment we will kick off in front of a national television audience on Sky Sports. I admire how Luton Town, under the guidance of Championship Manager of the Year Nathan Jones, has scrapped its way to the upper third of our table, and our guests arrive rested and with very much to play for. To all visiting fans, we are happy to have you for what promises to be an electric atmosphere at the Cottage.
And to all Fulham fans, thank you so much for being part of this incredible journey through the 2021/22 campaign. You are truly deserving of the joy that I hope our run has provided, especially after the dramatic highs and lows over the past two years at Fulham while enduring a global pandemic that understandably cast the game as secondary to the health and fortune of ourselves and our loved ones.
And yet, it was during those two years when we probably needed football – and Fulham Football Club – the most. It was good for our spirit and soul, even if we often played behind closed doors. It was certainly memorable, from the promotion at a quiet Wembley Stadium in 2020, followed by an unsatisfying season in the Premier League, ending in relegation with only several thousand of our supporters having seen us play in person. Then came an uncertain off-season in which we surprisingly needed to address a baseline need – finding someone to serve as our Head Coach in our return to the Sky Bet Championship.
On two occasions late last month, I relished in what I believe is our best off-season acquisition in my time with your Club, and that was bringing Marco Silva to SW6 as our new Head Coach. In the 3-0 win at home over Preston North End that secured promotion to the Premier League, I was first moved to see our supporters and players alike celebrating Marco for all he has meant, not only to our promotion, but also the overall resurgence of our squad. I always believed in our team, but Marco ensured that we would win with personality and flair. What a night that was at the Cottage!
But, the fight and will that Marco has instilled in our team truly came to life several days later at Bournemouth.
I was fortunate to visit Motspur Park the day prior to the match, as well as travel to the Bournemouth game, and I can tell you that being in Marco’s presence fills you with enthusiasm and confidence. It was clear to me that Marco would not allow our team to relax after promotion, and certainly not against the team chasing us at the time for the league title. Unfortunate circumstances resulted in a draw, but seeing Marco’s approach guaranteed that I would leave Bournemouth as energised as I arrived. Beyond any doubt, I can assure you the path we are on today as we prepare for Premier League football in August is the best we’ve been on in my time of service to your Club. All credit to the players, but Marco deserves special praise. Thank you, Marco Silva!
I am also especially delighted for Mitro for earning Championship Player of the Year honours at the EFL Awards on April 24, as well as the same recognition at the London Football Awards earlier this year. I am not sure what more can be said about a player who has scored 41 goals through 42 matches in one of the most demanding professional leagues in the world, but I’ll offer one thought. What I personally appreciate about Mitro is his love for Fulham and its supporters is evident in everything he does. Beyond the goals, Mitro is uniquely Fulham Football Club. Congratulations to Mitro, who was also named to the Championship Team of the Season with teammates, Tosin Adarabioyo, Antonee Robinson and Harry Wilson. Well done, everyone!
A sound argument could be made for Tim Ream to have also been named in the league’s all-season team, but we will take this moment to salute him for achieving the mark of 250 matches played in a Fulham shirt. As noteworthy as his quality on the pitch is the fact Tim has always worn our shirt with respect and class. Congratulations to Tim, as well as Neeskens Kebano, Joe Bryan, Ivan Cavaleiro, Bobby De Cordova-Reid, Mary Southgate and Harrison Reed, all of whom reached 100 matches played for Fulham.
It’s truly been a wonderful year throughout the entire Club. Our Under-23s side cruised to the PL2 title, which means promotion into Division 1, where they’ll be playing the very best Academy teams next season. The U23s are also through to the Premier League Cup Semi-Finals after beating second place Division One side West Ham United. And our Under-18s are preparing for their Premier League Cup Final against Chelsea, which will take place on Wednesday at the Cottage. Please come out to support our U18s on Wednesday!
Also, what an impressive run this season by our Women's Team that finished third in its division, the highest position since the team restarted. We are currently featuring the best defensive record in the division with one game left to play. I appreciate our supporters that generated a sell-out against Oxford United in the Women's FA Cup earlier in the season, and encourage everyone to back our Women’s Team that continues to build its profile and following at Fulham Football Club.
I would also like to congratulate the Fulham Foundation on what it has achieved this season. As our Official Charity, I am proud of how the Foundation represents us in our communities, day in, day out, reaching out to those who need us the most. I am told the face-to-face activity is back up and running since the easing of the lockdown, and to know our programmes are again fully supporting mental wellbeing, women and girls, and those with disabilities, to name a few, is who and what we are as a Club. We of course remember Paul Smithers who passed away in January, and the Foundation will pay tribute to his memory with the Paul Smithers Cup here at Craven Cottage on Sunday 8th May, for participants engaged in our Premier League Kicks programme. This is a great way to remember a great colleague who made such an impact to the young people Paul positively impacted during his 12 years at the Foundation.
I have two final matters related to your Club, with the first being emphasised and repeated as necessary that we will always pride ourselves on being an open and inclusive football club. In that spirit, Fulham’s commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion is being advanced through our Equality Working Group, an internal action-orientated group charged with promoting and overseeing Club-led events so they align with our values. This group was instrumental in developing the Club’s ‘Fulham for All’ initiative which has become the umbrella term to promote inclusivity. More information is available on the newly developed EDI pages on the Official Club Website.
In addition, I am also very proud of the Club’s innovative and proactive approach to promoting inclusive campaigns, often working with our commercial partners. Most recently, we collaborated with #HERGAMETOO. an organisation committed to encouraging female participation in football and to eradicate prejudice. We proudly showcased this partnership at our International Women’s Day fixture at home against Blackburn Rovers, and we will do it again next season – along with Fulham for All – in the Premier League.
We have much to look forward to – hopefully 100 goals for the season and a title celebration this evening, but definitely the return of Premier League fixtures at Craven Cottage and the global attention that will accompany every match. And we have much to celebrate – a family-oriented football club that enjoyed a historic season, but above all is supported daily by a charitable foundation, staff, First Team and fanbase determined to make a difference for others. I’ve seen that recently in the generosity of everyone here to assist the people of Ukraine, and it is truly impressive. Thank you, everyone.
Have fun tonight and thank you for your loyalty and support throughout the season. You’re the best!
Come on, Fulham!
Shahid Khan
Chairman
