LBNo11

...it sounds like you guys have got it bad. It does sound to an outsider though that your second biggest enemy is apathy. Have you boycotted buying new replica shirts home away (3rd kit) etc.,Stop buying programmes, in stadium drinks and food etc., Turn up to games of course, it is our release (even if it is often painful) but by hitting the accountants where it hurts, they would have to take notice. Get all the AFC supporters groups together as a collective, make your intentions known and stand firm, demand dialogue - without you the fans there is no club. All the problems mentioned make me believe more that a supporters club is important - as long as there are clear rules that put main supporters club officials annually up for re-election, this way corruption and apathy can be reduced. Thanks for all your replies, I would like to hear more points of view as to pros and cons. Good luck AFC fans...

...sorry to be a pain guys, but isn't engaging in a collective dialogue a way of building bridges and gaining (gradual) trust, in the long term it must surely gain more than lots of frequent battles without a positive conclusion..?

...appreciate your reply boboisared, but do you not think an active supporters club can represent an important collective voice (rather than a fragmented one with lots of different factions possibly contradicting each other), when trying to make opinions and grievances known..?

...as mentioned before I am a Fulham supporter, I asked questions about our former goalie Ian Black, and thanks for your replies, but I now have another question. How active is your supporters club? What does the AFCSC (?) do for you the supporters, i.e is it an effective lobbying group between the fans and the club? Do they provide a useful link - and is there any necessity for such an organisation in your point of view..?

...thanks for the quick responses, I have left a message with Kevin Stirling. I had an interview with Ian in March at his bowls club in Tolworth, just before his 84th birthday and he is still an active man who looks 20 years younger than his actual age, a lovely person (who insisted on paying for lunch as I was his guest!) and a modest man who told me of his younger days playing football by the tram terminus and on the beach. He mentioned playing for the St Clements' side, winning six trophies with them, his performances led to Aberdeen, Dundee Utd and even the once mighty Wolverhampton Wanderers checking him out. You mentioned the only goal scored in open play by a Fulham goalkeeper, for anyone interested Ian was injured early in the game at Leicester City after being kicked in the left arm near his shoulder, he was in a lot of pain but this was in the days before substitutes, so outfielder Bobby Brennan took over the custodial duties and Ian, being tall, was put up front as a centre forward in the second half. Already losing 3-0 Ian "made a nuisance of himself" and on receiving a floating cross from Arthur Stevens headed it into the net to score our consolation goal. Let me know if you would like a copy of the article when it is published...

...Hello, I am a Fulham supporter and I'm writing an article for our fanzine TOOFIF (There's Only One 'F' In Fulham) about a former goalie and Scottish International (albeit one game) of yours Ian (Henderson) Black who joined before the second world war and left soon after being demobbed in 1947. Can anybody tell me how long he was on the books, dates when he joined and left, how many appearances he made for you - and has anybody any memories of the man. Would he have played whilst you were still playing in the black and gold vertical strip? I would be grateful for any information - Thank you, and good luck for the new season