Some of these players include the likes of former Manchester United star Andrew Cole, who won the treble (Premiership, F.A Cup & Champion League) with them in 1998/99. Another big name is Cole’s former team mate from Newcastle dynamic midfielder Lee Clarke, who in 1999 broke Fulham’s transfer record of £3 million. Plus Frenchman Sylvain Legwinski who was part of the successful Monaco side that won the French Championship in 1996/97 and reached the Semi Finals of the UEFA Cup during the same season. Last season fan-favourite Legwinski was once again a key cog in the Fulham midfield and deputised as Captain whenever Lee Clark was absent from the side.

To enable the club to compete in the premiership for a 5th season, Fulham took advantage of the break in the domestic league, due to world cup qualifiers being played 26th & 30th March, by attending Browns Sport & Leisure Club’s training centre in Vilamoura, Portugal. Fulham flew out on Tuesday 22nd March with a squad of 23 for a 4 day warm weather training camp.

The 4 day camp will give new goalkeeping signing Portuguese youngster Ricardo Bastisa, fringe first team players Zesh Rehman & Michael Timlin, academy youngsters Malik Buari, Sean Doherty, Neale McDermott and returning from injury Mark Pembridge the chance to gel with the first team squad and hopefully reap the rewards on their return. For the rest of the first team squad, the training centre at Browns will enable them to complete intensive training on the superb grass pitch and high quality heavy weights gym.

The fans will surely see on Sunday 3rd April at Craven Cottage the success and knowledge gained whilst warm weather training at Browns Sport & Leisure Club, which will only serve as a catalyst for all players for an impressive win on their return when they play at home the team one place above them in the league table, Portsmouth.