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FULHAM DEAF V CASUALS PREVIEW
Thursday 23 August 2007
OLD FOES: Phil and Catesy celebrate 2003/04 success with with Fulham Gaffer Christof The Casuals face their old adversaries Fulham Deaf this Saturday in a pre-season friendly that revives great memories of previous clashes between the two clubs. In recognition of our intense two year, six match rivalry, our opponents have invested in the Fulham Deaf v Westminster Casuals Annual Shield which will be contested every pre-season.
Despite the hugely competitive nature of our meetings a great mutual respect grew between the clubs from the very first meeting in January 2004 when Fulham inflicted a 3-0 defeat on Phil Malcolm's team in Kingston & District League Division Two.
The return fixture in May 2004 turned out to be the most exciting and important match between the two sides as they contested what was effectively a league title decider. The Casuals were losing a pulsating match until Joe Maughan planted a superb 71st minute header into the top corner to secure a 2-2 draw, and the following day's 4-0 win over MMB saw the Casuals crowned Champions.
Despite the keen rivalry the respective team managers - FDFC Guv Christof and Casuals Gaffer Phil Malcolm - became good mates and keep in touch to this day. After a spell away from football Christof now manages the FDFC reserves while Malcolm is enjoying his retirement.
Fulham finished 3rd in KDFL Division Two last season but were promoted courtesy of the Casuals' decision to withdraw from the Premier Division and join the Surrey South East Combination. Their set up and backing from a Premiership club is the envy of all clubs at this level of football and many of their players have gone onto represent the Great Britain Deaf football team with distinction.
Fulham will no doubt be pleased to hear that their tormentor in chief Ian Hardy - who has struck 4 goals against them - will miss Saturday's match as he is on honeymoon. Paul Stokes, Jon Moore and Jim Paley are away and John Skelly is still troubled by an ankle injury. We are also sad to report that goalkeeper Mark Ferris has hung up his gloves after 109 club appearances - more on him next week.
New boys Oliver Harker-Smith, Adam McCullagh, Martin Cooke and Godwin are set to make their Casuals debuts.
Until then, here is a rundown of the Casuals v Fulham clashes that have been written into the folklore of both clubs.
17 Jan 2004 Fulham 3-0 Casuals (KDFL Div 2)
The Casuals were shocked by Fulham's pace and penetration in their first ever meeting and are soundly beaten thanks to a double by livewire striker Richard Jeffers.
FDFC Report: http://www.fulhamdfc.com/?fid=128&pid=437
3 Apr 2004 Fulham 1-2 Casuals (Teck Intermediate Cup Semi)
Goals from Ian Hardy and Jim Paley see the Casuals exact revenge and secure a place in the Teck Cup Final which they go onto win at Molesey FC.
FDFC Report: http://www.fulhamdfc.com/?fid=128&pid=446
Jim Paley and Fulham's current Manager Ayad Sarraf in action
John Skelly climbs above Nick Beese 24 Apr 2004 Casuals 2-2 Fulham aet - Fulham win 6-5 on pens (League Intermediate Cup Semi)
The Casuals went into this League Cup semi final at Wimbledon Common Extensions looking to repeat their Teck Cup Semi victory over Fulham three weeks earlier. Jim Paley was struggling with a hip/pelvis injury but started what turned out to be his last game of the season. Ian Hardy put the Casuals ahead early in the second half with a speculative shot that skipped over the Fulham keeper's dive at the near post. With just 7 minutes left on the clock Andrew Drury brought Fulham level with a shot from 25 yards which flew into the bottom corner of the Casuals goal. Hardy nearly won it in the last minute but his drive was tipped over by Richard Parker in the Fulham goal. The Deaf took the lead in the 3rd minute of extra time when McGreevy volleyed over Chris Wolsey from 20 yards, but the Hitman equalised with ten minutes of extra time remaining, brilliantly volleying into the far bottom corner from 20 yards. The Casuals enjoyed their best spell of the game but couldn't force a winner, so we went into the lottery of a penalty shoot out. The Casuals' five chosen takers - Hardy, Maughan, Cates, Skelly and Holder all scored but Fulham also netted with all their efforts and the shoot out went into sudden death. Wolsey got a hand to Nick Beese's spot kick but failed to keep it out. Stuart Henderson stepped up and shot wide of the upright to send Fulham into the final which they subsequently won at Hampton & Richmond FC.
Geordie Maughan shows a rare turn of pace 7 May 2004 Casuals 2-2 Fulham (KDFL Div 2)
This game was originally scheduled for Wednesday night at Weston Green but a couple of days of torrential rain forced the Casuals to forfeit home advantage and play this vital match at the Fulham F.C Training Ground on Friday evening. FDFC slaughtered West End Esher 8-0 the day before and so went into this game full of confidence. Never before has so much rested on a Casuals league fixture - a win would have secured the championship, a draw would have kept things in our hands but a disastrous defeat would mean Fulham could win the title if they won their last game. We had the better of the opening exchanges but fell behind in the 20th minute when Wolsey spilled a wickedly bouncing ball and the rebound was gobbled up by Fulham striker Richard Jeffers. The Casuals struggled to regain their composure for the rest of the first half and despite competing well, didn't pass the ball well enough on a perfect playing surface. But that all changed in the second half. From the kick off the Casuals passed and moved their way into the Fulham penalty area where Ian Hardy delivered a perfect cross for Dan Bennett to fire home just 15 seconds after the restart, a stunning team goal. From that point the Casuals played with real purpose and moved the ball around the pitch, creating all the openings. It looked like only one team could win it when disaster struck as a shot from Drury was deflected past the helpless Wolsey with just 20 minutes to go. But within a minute, Joe Maughan rose brilliantly in the box to head a Cates free kick into the top left hand corner of the Fulham net. Sam Holder and Ian Hardy both spurned great opportunities to win it but the Casuals well marshalled back line never looked like conceding despite the desperate Deaf sending their keeper up for a couple of late corners. The following day the Casuals comfortably defeated MMB 4-0 to win the closely fought Championship race.
Final Table:
3 Oct 2004 Casuals 3-1 Fulham (KDFL Div 1)
The two promoted clubs met in the fourth game of the 2004/05 season and new signing Grant Payne is the difference as he hit two. John Skelly also struck as late substitute Michael Rootes made his return from a two year injury lay off.
19 Feb 2005 Fulham 2-4 Casuals (KDFL Div 1)
The Casuals retained top spot in the league thanks to a brace from Skelly and goals from Payne and Hardy. The Casuals went onto win a famous treble including the Division One title that sees them promoted to the Premier League. Sadly Fulham finish in 3rd place which signalled the end of competitive clashes between the clubs.
Final Table:
Full Playing Record
Played: 6
Casuals Wins: 3
Fulham Wins (including shoot outs): 2
Draws: 1
Casuals Goals: 13
Fulham Goals: 11
New club social secretary Angry Barnett has arranged the club's first social event of the season at Wimbledon Dogs on Saturday evening. This doubles up as Rod van der Laan's leaving do as the Robotic South African is off travelling before setting off home. Rod-o-cop has made 63 Casuals appearances and scored 17 tap in's and deserves a proper send off so get yourself along. The beer is cheap and there will be plenty of dogs about so it should prove an ideal venue for a Casuals night out.
Saturday Details
Fulham Deaf v Westminster Casuals
Pre-season Friendly for the Fulham Deaf v Casuals Shield
Kick Off: 3pm
Meet: 2pm at the Ground
Wimbledon Dogs
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