The most recent âFultimeâ is well worth trying to get hold of if you havenât already got a copy. The cover shows the spread of topics - please log in to view this image The highlight for me was Jolâs article because it dealt with where the Club is at and where itâs going from his perspective. And specifically his conclusion -
Fulham will never, as a business venture, be financially self-sustaining, not while CC has <40,000 seats and players' pay >40k a week. The only teams making money have huge stadiums, their own TV channels and global merchandising. Having said that, I think it's wise on the part of Jol and MAF to look long term in a business-like fashion at ways to keep costs down and grow some local talent.
One quote I found interesting, Jol says he will bring U-18's straight into the first team squad next year, says Tankovic, Banya maybe Woodrow and Cauley will be put into the first team squad. In Holland if you go to Ajax, if you end up in the Development Squad, that is the second team, the reserve team. You will never have a career; you will go from Under-18 to the first team, if you are good enough and that culture I would like to bring here. I have boys who might not be in the first team next year but the year after. He goes on to talk about sending players out on loan to gain experience, and hopes they progress to become squad members next year. Another thing He again says he still hasn't found the correct combination up front. No partnership he has tried has proved consistent. This Fultime is a really good read.
