FULHAM AND ROY

When you support a club like Fulham it's easy to get an inferiority complex - it's not usually about winning anything, more like survival. Then in the 2009/10 season Fulham were in the Europa League, and they got there properly by finishing 7th in the Premier League the previous season. The qualifying rounds were survived. 

The Group Stage was got through. Progress was made through the first knock-out round and then Juventus were drawn in the Round of the Last 16. Fulham v Juventus in Europe - a dream, surely.

But then reality took over and Fulham lost 3-1 in Turin. But there was that away goal. Then at Craven Cottage on Thursday March 18th 2010, any dreams were sended when David Trezeguet scored for the Italians after just two minutes. Juventus were 4-1 up on aggregate and Fulham had lost their away goal advantage. Then seven minutes later Bobby Zamora made it 1-1; a draw against Juventus on the night wouldn't be a bad result. Then in the 26th minute the visitors' Fabio Cannavaro's was sent off for a professional foul on Zoltan Gera, with the Hungarian putting Fulham 2-1 ahead shortly before half-time. 

The next goal was crucial, when Gera scored from the penalty spot four minutes after the restart. 3-1 on the night, 4-4 on aggregate - surely Fulham wouldn't get beaten now! Magic, Clint Dempsey scored the fourth in the 82nd minute. Another Italian was sent off, before the final whistle and the unbelievable had happened - Fulham had won 4-1 on the night and 5-4 on aggregate. 

Fulham went on to reach the final in Hamburg where they ran out of steam in what was their 19th European tie of the season. There was a 2-1 defeat by Atletico Madrid but Fulham had reached a European final and that's very special. A daily glance at the special souvenir Europa League final fridge magnate reminds those supports who splashed out on a memory. The Europa League may be regarded as a second-rate competition, but it's a first rate memory for many Fulham supporters. I hope the link works...if not, well you know what you can do!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWvJnzpl_uU

Hodgson in 2009

In May 2010, Hodgson was voted the 2010 League Manager Award by a record margin. Hodgson received the award after a poll of coaches, including managers from the top four leagues in England. 

On 30 June 2010, the Liverpool Echo reported that Hodgson would be named as the new Liverpool manager after the club had agreed a £2 million compensation deal with Fulham. Do your tie up Roy!!