Here is one company's selection of Fulham legends - http://www.sportswalls.co.uk/premiership-wallpapers/all-clubs/fulham-fc#.T_sh2r6K5iI.twitter I certainly wouldn't argue with 3 of them and I suppose Best could be there, because he's George Best and of course for his tackle on Marsh in that Hereford game - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SC9uII1ymxE Since the 70s up till the new millenium we've had the odd character but no real legend. So if there is only 5 to chose from and 1 has to be since 2000 would you have picked Dempsey ? I've got quite a few favouriites - Voltz, McBride and indeed Dempsey would at the top of my list - but as a true legend has to be Danny Murphy.
I'd put Brian McBride ahead of Dempsey, just for the sheer amount he meant to us as fans. McBride was a giant for us who, despite scoring significantly fewer goals than Dempsey, was far more important to the overall team play. I'd also put Van Der Sar ahead of Dempsey. He was my favourite player for 4 years and was a giant of a man who almost single handedly kept us in the Premier League in the latter part of his stint. However, I think Murphy would certainly be top from our players in the past 12 years. I'd put Dempsey on a level with Steed Malbranque and Louis Boa Morte in terms of his quality and overall contribution to the team; very good players for us, but not enough to be legends. So, in short: 1. Murphy 2. McBride 3. Van Der Sar 4. Dempsey/Boa Morte/Malbranque Honestly, another season or two from Clint likely would have put him near to or at the top of that list. It's hard not to think that this summer has affected his legacy with us.
I was so surprised to see Murphy leave us in June. It all happened so quietly and quickly, I barely had time to grieve. Someone I just couldn't picture Fulham without him in one capacity or another. In terms of recent legends ('cause I've only followed the team about 9 years now), I think would also put Murphy top with McBride just below him, purely based on quality and personal character. I've followed McBride's career for years, long before I'd heard of Clint Dempsey, and the word Professionalism in the dictionary should have McBrides picture beside it. Of course, he didn't play with us for long. In fact, what we got was the tail end of his career and probably not his best. Van Der Sar was good for us, but I think I'll eventually look back at Mark Schwartzer with greater fondness. As for Dempsey, given the fact that his first goal for Fulham (against Liverpool at the end of 2008) kept us up gives him the edge above the likes of Malbranque and Boa Morte, both of whom I liked, but the taintedness of Dempsey's departure keeps him from the top of my list. So, for me, Murphy McBride Dempsey Boa Morte/Van Der Sar/Malbranque If my list was based on personal fondness, it would start with John Pantsil.
An interesting list. I would disagree with Best and Moore, great players that they were. While Moore was a centrepiece of our run to the final, Best was just an entertainment for a season or so. Both really made their names elsewhere and Fulham was definately their swan song. A better choice would have been Mullery - a great player for us before Spurs stole him (am I getting a Deja vu moment here!!) and great when he returned. If we are including players who did well with other clubs, what about Allan Clarke? - a real star with us for at least 2 seasons before he went. The other player who leaps out is Bobby Robson - now there is a legend. As for the recent player debate, I would definately agree that Danny Murphy has been stand out and would agree with the other names put forward. Personally I would also add Brede who has been a rock for the last few years. As a last comment - there should be a Fulhamish legend - and for me that has to be Fred Callaghan. A player of limited talent - his right foot was for putting the other boot on, he couldn't do much else with it - but a lion heart who gave everything for the club for many seasons. I can still remember him trying to beat Georgie Best near our corner flag - in a game against the great Man Utd side at the Cottage. He shimmed, Bestie just took the ball from his feet, beat another player then scored from the corner of the penalty box before Fred could move - now that is true legend!!
Excellent points, FCLF. Moore and Best were legends, but not really Fulham legends. Certainly Mullery was someone I heard mentioned alot by Fulham fans when I was younger, whereas I was unaware Best even played for us until last year! I guess the issue with Bobby Robson (and Mullery, actually) is that despite his 344 games for Fulham, all his England caps came when he was at another club. Although, that didn't stop them choosing Moore, did it? Robson and Mullery are certainly legends for Fulham (as well as legends in general), much more so than Best and Moore who were really legends for other clubs. I hope Danny Murphy comes back to us as manager in the future, to cement his Fulham legacy. Just hope he would be more successful than Robson was!
I don't think it matters who Robson et al were playing for when they got their caps, lets judge them on what they did for Fulham. In that case, him and Mullery are definitely more deserving than Moore and Best - BR and AM were developed at Fulham and made significant contributions on either side of going elsewhere, BM and GB 'belong' more to other clubs. And on the subject of Danny Murphy - who certainly deserves to be included in any list of legends (although I think it's harsh to say he's head and shoulders above Dempsey) - all of his England caps were won at other clubs too.
Oh dear, so many missing from my own favourites - in Green here ( below). Although I'm still thinking of losing Clint and putting in my second oldie - Sir Bobby Robson (given that Moore will always be #6 in Claret&Blue)
I know that, Captain. I was just trying to work why they picked Moore and Best ahead of Robson and Mullery. Maybe I'm just seeking logic where there is none...
Just noticed your avatar Surlyc and the shirt reminded me of another potential legend - the man who got Fulham's first hat trick of the new millenium (12 years ago yesterday), Louis Saha. Of course he may be a legend in the eyes of some for all the wrong reasons. Incredible that he's still going strong, all said and done.
I think it was probably the logic of a non-Fulham fan whose job was to pick five Fulham legends, so he went for the names that non-Fulham fans were most familiar with.
