With today being the eve of our home match vs. Burnley and the festive season upon us, I wanted to take a moment to share a few thoughts and sentiments as we bring 2023 to a close and look forward to the new year.
First, I am personally elated that we will play in the Semi-Finals of the Carabao Cup. This is quite an accomplishment as it marks the first time in your Club’s long history that Fulham has reached the Semi-Finals of this competition. Congratulations to all!
What’s most important, however, is the joy that Tuesday night’s result at Everton has brought to our supporters and especially those in attendance, many of whom have shared their video clips and photos on social media capturing the drama of penalty kicks, and then the celebration that ensued. I’ve enjoyed them all and can now say that my initial disappointment of being drawn to play an away tie has been washed away by seeing what this moment has meant to our supporters who travelled to Everton. Of course, I know that our fans who were watching or following from home are relishing the outcome no differently, and that is a reminder of the power of football and the unique community that is Fulham Football Club.
We have drawn as our Semi-Final opponent Liverpool Football Club, which today is within a point of the top spot in the Premier League table and may end tomorrow in first place with a victory over current leader Arsenal. Liverpool has an extremely talented squad and are in impressive form, but we all remember how bravely we battled at Anfield earlier this month in league play. Fulham will be sky high for the opportunity to reintroduce our resolve and quality against one of game’s storied clubs, and we all know it will be electric when we host the second leg of the tie during the week of 22 January under the Craven Cottage floodlights. Come on, Fulham!
In other news, we have two recent and extremely important contract extensions to celebrate during the holidays. Marco Silva has provided the stability, brilliance, and leadership that we all envisioned and needed when he arrived as our Head Coach in 2021. To have Marco’s commitment through the 2025/26 campaign is one of the most important occasions at your Club in recent years, and I thank him for his past and future efforts on behalf of the squad and Fulham fans everywhere. I know he will have enjoyed Tuesday night’s result at his former ground of Goodison Park, and I am certainly happy that Marco will continue to call Craven Cottage his home.
Similarly, the positive impact Bernd Leno has made as our goalkeeper since our promotion to the Premier League in 2022 is something the entire football world has noticed and respected. Bernd recently signed a new agreement that secures his future at Fulham through at least the 2026/27 season, and we look forward to enjoying much more of his reliability and excellence – as we saw Tuesday night at Everton – guarding our net in the years ahead.
Our team will start tomorrow in 11th place in the Premier League table with 21 points, a few points behind our pace at this time last season. Given our recent form with victories in our last three matches at Craven Cottage, I am very optimistic in anticipation of our next two home matches beginning tomorrow vs. Burnley and then in our reverse fixture against current league-leader Arsenal on 31 December. In between, if you are traveling to Bournemouth on Boxing Day to support Fulham Football Club, please be safe and return with three points!
Finally, if you plan to join us tomorrow for another full house at Craven Cottage, I do ask that you join us in warmly welcoming the match referee, Rebecca Welch, who will become upon the opening whistle the first woman to referee a match in the Premier League. This is progress the entire football world can applaud! I am thrilled for Rebecca on this milestone and wish her the best on what is undoubtedly a well-earned and proud moment for her, as well as her family and friends. Congratulations, Rebecca Welch!
Wherever you plan to follow the action tomorrow, I thank you for your continued loyalty and support. Most of all, on behalf of my family and everyone at Fulham Football Club, I wish you and your loved ones a holiday season full of good cheer, health, and happiness. I will see you soon!
Come on, Fulham!
