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Simon Morgan to leave club
last updated Friday 04th May 2001, 7:55 PM
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Fulham legend Simon Morgan will leave the
Club this summer .
Former Fulham Captain Simon Morgan has announced that he will leave the
Club in the Summer after being told that he will not be offered a new playing
contract at the end of the season.
Morgan's departure from the Club will come as a big disappointment to Fulham
fans but the player himself remained upbeat and philosophical. He said:
"I had a chat with the Manager a couple of weeks ago and he explained
the Club's situation. "I think I realised ever since I damaged my cruciate
last September that it would be hard for me. To be honest I didn't think
I'd ever play again at that time. "Fortunately I have managed to fight
my way back and I've now got the chance to go off and find first team football
for a year."
It's not all sad news however as Morgan revealed that Fulham fans haven't
seen the last of him:
"The Club have told me that I can go off and find a Club for a year.
And then they want me to come back in some capacity to work at the Club.
"Obviously it's disappointing for me to think that I won't be playing
for Fulham again. But it's good news for the future."
Morgan also revealed his gratitude to Manager Jean Tigana for giving him
the chance to have one last hurrah at Craven Cottage when Morgan came on
as a substitute against Wolves two weeks ago.
"I'd known four or five days before that I'd be leaving. But Jean said
he wanted me to come on which was nice and it shows there is sentiment in
football. "The response from the fans was magnificent and it was a
great fifteen minutes. Obviously I threw my shirt into the crowd and I think
many of the fans realised then what was happening.
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Simon
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"It was a great way to finish. I have
some great memories, and it's been a great eleven years."
Supporters will of course be keen to know where Simon will be playing his
football next season but speculation that Morgan will be re-joining former
Fulham Manager at newly promoted Brighton appear premature, for the moment
at least.
"I don't know where I'll be going yet. I have worked hard this year
to get back. That's basically why I want to have another year somewhere.
I believe myself that I can do that and prove this hasn't been a fluke at
Fulham."
Morgan ended by paying tribute to the Club's fans with whom he has a unique
relationship:
"The supporters have been great here. We all have to think about the
future of this Club. There are a lot of good young players here and there
will be more coming in. "The last five or six years have been fantastic.
But I won't be severing my links with Fulham completely. I'll be back to
watch a few Premiership games next season.
"I have a great relationship with the supporters and I'd like to thank
each and every one of them for their support over the last eleven years.
Especially the testimonial night and for the reception they gave me against
Wolves. I'll make sure I get a video of that night so that I can sit at
home, turn up the volume and have some great memories."
The Club's Chairman, Mohamed Al Fayed commented:
“Simon has been a very loyal servant to Fulham. He is a big part of
the Club’s history having played for and captained Fulham as the Club’s
fortunes changed. He is incredibly popular with the fans and with everyone
at the Club. Although he has come to the end of his contract, at 34 he still
wants to be playing regular football, which we must all respect. However
I am sure this is not the last Fulham will see of a great professional.”
Team Manager Jean Tigana added:
“Simon is a true professional and a great asset to any team. I have
thoroughly enjoyed my time working with him at Fulham and look forward to
seeing him back here in the future."
This weeks Simon Says...
Fulham career high points of Simon Morgan:
- Signed for Fulham in October 1990 from
Leicester City for £100,000
- Made Fulham debut against Stoke City in 1990 away (lost 2-1)
- Voted Riversiders Player of the year 1991/1992
- Voted Supporters Club Player of the year 1991/1992
- Became Club Captain in 1993
- Skippered Fulham to relegation in 1994
- Voted Riversiders Player of the year 1993/1994
- Skippered Fulham to promotion from Division three in 1996/97
- Evening Standard Player of the Month March 1997
- 1997 wrote the now famous book 'On song for promotion'
- 'Club' Captain during Promotion year of 1998/99 under Kevin Keegan
- 2000 Testimonial match v Spurs at Craven Cottage celebrating ten
years at Club
- Career goals: 56
- Career appearances: 412 + 10 as sub
- Last goal: Away to Reading 1999
- 24th April 2001 - Last appearance for Fulham v Wolves as sub - Voted
MoM
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Source fulham fc
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