Fulham Football Club: Profile

London is often said to be the capital of world football in that not only does it have more football clubs per capita than any other in the world it has more major football clubs per capita. Milan has two giants, Madrid has two globally known clubs, Barcelona is famous for Barcelona FC (whilst Espanyol are far less known) but London has Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham, West Ham and others.  However the oldest professional football club in London is not one of the giants like Arsenal or Chelsea but rather Fulham FC.

Origins and Foundation

Fulham Football Club is widely acknowledged as London’s oldest professional football club. The club’s origins date back to 1879 when a group of worshippers from the St Andrew’s Church in West Kensington formed a team known as “Fulham St Andrew’s Church Sunday School F.C.” Initially, football was played in a much more recreational manner, but the club soon evolved into a competitive side, dropping the church affiliation from their name and becoming simply Fulham Football Club by 1888.

In the early years, Fulham played friendly matches and local cup competitions. Their reputation grew steadily, and by the end of the 19th century, they had become a significant team within the London footballing community. The club turned professional in December 1898 and shortly after joined the Southern League, where they gained success by winning back-to-back titles in 1905–06 and 1906–07.

Historical Development and League Journey

Fulham’s admission to the Football League came in 1907 when they joined the Second Division. The club experienced fluctuating fortunes throughout much of the 20th century. They achieved several promotions and relegations, but despite their status as a London club, they never quite broke into the top echelon of English football during the early decades.

The post-war era saw Fulham produce some exceptional talents, notably Johnny Haynes, one of England’s finest midfielders and the first £100-per-week footballer after the abolition of the maximum wage in 1961. Haynes, who spent the majority of his career at Fulham, is still revered as one of the club’s greatest-ever players. During his era, Fulham enjoyed a prolonged stay in the First Division (now the Premier League) from 1959 to 1968, though they were unable to secure any major trophies.

Fulham’s fortunes declined in the following decades, with the club slipping into the lower tiers of the Football League. Financial troubles plagued the club in the 1980s, and at one point, Fulham came perilously close to losing Craven Cottage, their historic home. They were almost forced into a merger with Queens Park Rangers in a proposed ‘Fulham Park Rangers’ venture, but fierce opposition from supporters prevented the move.

A resurgence began in the late 1990s when Mohamed Al-Fayed, the Egyptian businessman and former owner of Harrods, purchased the club in 1997. Al-Fayed pledged to take Fulham to the Premier League within five years, a promise he fulfilled ahead of schedule. Under the management of Jean Tigana, Fulham won the First Division (now the Championship) in the 2000–01 season and returned to the top flight for the first time in over three decades.

The club enjoyed a sustained period in the Premier League, with their most celebrated modern achievement coming in the 2009–10 season when Fulham, under Roy Hodgson, reached the UEFA Europa League final. The Cottagers embarked on a memorable European journey, defeating notable clubs such as Juventus, Shakhtar Donetsk, and Hamburg, before narrowly losing to Atlético Madrid in extra time.

Since then, Fulham’s trajectory has been a mixture of relegations and promotions, often yo-yoing between the Premier League and the Championship. Despite these fluctuations, the club has maintained a loyal and passionate fanbase.

The Fulham Kit: Tradition in Black and White

Fulham’s kit is immediately recognisable, characterised by its clean and simple black and white colour scheme. The club traditionally wears white shirts with black shorts and white socks, a style that has been largely consistent throughout their history. The white shirt was adopted in 1903, and since then, it has become an integral part of Fulham’s identity.

Over the years, Fulham’s kits have been produced by various manufacturers, including Adidas, Nike, Puma, and more recently, Castore. Sponsorship has evolved as well, with a range of local and international companies adorning the front of the shirt.

The away kits have varied considerably, ranging from red and black to yellow, green, and even purple combinations. However, regardless of the variations, the home strip remains a proud symbol of Fulham’s heritage.

Craven Cottage: The Beloved Home

Fulham’s historic ground, Craven Cottage, is one of the most picturesque and iconic stadiums in English football. Situated on the banks of the River Thames, the stadium has been Fulham’s home since 1896. Its unique riverside location, traditional architecture, and intimate atmosphere distinguish it from the modern, purpose-built stadiums found elsewhere.

The “Cottage” in the ground’s name actually refers to a small pavilion originally constructed by William Craven, the sixth Baron Craven, in 1780. Though the original cottage no longer stands, a quaint cottage structure remains in the corner of the ground, contributing to its charm.

Craven Cottage’s Johnny Haynes Stand, completed in 1905, was designed by the renowned stadium architect Archibald Leitch and is now a Grade II listed structure. The stand, with its distinctive red brick façade and ironwork, remains a testament to football’s architectural history.

Over the years, Craven Cottage has undergone several redevelopments to modernise facilities while preserving its historic character. One of the most ambitious projects in recent years has been the redevelopment of the Riverside Stand, which will significantly increase capacity and provide modern amenities, all while offering breath taking views of the Thames.

Other Grounds

Though Craven Cottage has been Fulham’s spiritual home for well over a century, the club temporarily played home matches at Loftus Road, the home of Queens Park Rangers, from 2002 to 2004 while Craven Cottage was being redeveloped to meet Premier League standards.

The decision to return to Craven Cottage in 2004 was widely celebrated by supporters, who cherish the ground’s uniqueness and its deep-rooted association with Fulham’s history. Aside from this brief relocation, Craven Cottage has been Fulham’s enduring home since the late 19th century.

Shad Khan

The Club is currently owned and chaired by Shahid Khan, a Pakistani-American billionaire who acquired the club from Mohamed Al‑Fayed on 12 July 2013 for approximately £150–200 million  Khan, renowned as the owner of the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars, entered Fulham with a vision of building long‑term sustainability—not relying on “outlandish promises” but focusing on steady growth through infrastructure, financial discipline, and organic footballing progress, source.

• Football operations leadership: His son, Tony Khan, has played a hands‑on role since 2017 as vice‑chairman and director of football operations, spearheading a data‑driven recruitment strategy and helping Fulham secure three promotions (2017–18, 2019–20, 2021–22)

Together, the Khans have balanced tradition and ambition—upgrading facilities and investing in the squad, while occasionally drawing criticism from fans concerned about rising prices and frequent “yo‑yo” league movements

Trophies and Honours:

• Football League Championship (Second Tier)

  • Winners (2): 1948–49, 2000–01

  • Play-off Winners (2): 2017–18, 2019–20

• Football League Division Three (Third Tier)

  • Winners (1): 1931–32

• Southern League First Division

  • Winners (2): 1905–06, 1906–07

Cup Competitions:

• FA Cup

  • Runners-up (1): 1974–75

• UEFA Europa League (formerly UEFA Cup)

  • Runners-up (1): 2009–10

Other Notable Achievements:

• UEFA Intertoto Cup

  • Winners (1): 2002

Conclusion

Fulham Football Club are an example of how financial investment can help a club to flourish. Despite London being full of clubs and fierce competition they have managed not only to secure a place in the Premiership. In the past three years not only have they maintained their presence in the Premier League but they have been far away from the relegation zone, in the season just gone at the time of writing i.e. the 2024/25 season Fulham were in 11th place compared to Manchester United’s 15th place and Tottenham Hotspur’s 17th place.

The club’s iconic black and white kit, combined with the treasured Craven Cottage stadium, continues to symbolise Fulham’s identity and enduring appeal. Whether enjoying top-flight football or fighting through the lower divisions, Fulham have always commanded a loyal following, with fans cherishing the unique charm that sets the club apart from its more commercially driven counterparts. As Fulham look to the future, they remain deeply rooted in their storied past, proudly carrying forward the legacy of London’s oldest professional football club.