So Roy Hodgson has left Fulham and gone to Liverpool - a switch that seemed inevitable the moment Rafa Benitez was shown the Anfield exit at the end of last season.
As a Fulham season-ticket holder who has enjoyed the best three seasons since aligning myself with the Black & White army many years ago, I wish Roy every success with Liverpool. He worked wonders at the Cottage - we all know the story by now. But not only was it the results on the pitch that earned Roy a place in Fulham fans' hearts, but the way he went about it.
He had the refreshing (and far too uncommon) ability to tell it like it was - his analysis of games was always spot on - crediting the opposition where they deserved, outlining where Fulham had gone wrong and delivering praise where it was due. Roy was always reserved, dignified and fair. He also brought a brand of football that was not only organised (which was so often noted by the press) but a style of play that was easy on the eye. It's difficult to convey just how much the Fulham faithful were craving such football after Lawrie Sanchez's reign.
Roy not only made Fulham fans fall back in love with the club, he also made us universally liked and respected by all football supporters.
It is for these reasons that today is a sad day to support Fulham. It is also a reminder of the reality and pitfalls of supporting a small club like the one that resides by the Thames.
Whenever a player or manager stands out for a club like Fulham (or a Blackburn, Bolton or West Ham) and moves the club up a notch, the joy is always coupled with a twinge of foreboding, knowing it won't be long before they're snatched away and we're pegged back to where we were.
Small teams such as Fulham are like kids at the mercy of bullies who steal their lunch money. When Louis Saha started banging in the goals, along came Manchester United with their wads of cash. They did the same with Edwin van der Sar. When Kevin Keegan took us up from what is now League 1, the FA came calling and before we knew it Keegan was the England manager. And now it's happened all over again.
It's par for the course, and I suppose it's just how it works. The teams lower down the leagues have it far worse than the 'lesser' teams of the Premier League. But it doesn't mean we have to like it.
Roy, you were great. The only problem was you were too good.