Cottagers chief to stay close

Al Fayed giving Fulham squad his full support

By Rob Parrish   Last updated: 9th May 2008

Fulham Mohamed Al Fayed

Al Fayed: Backing Fulham

We have been in the Premier League for seven years and everyone knows what relegation would mean.

Mohamed Al Fayed.
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Mohamed Al Fayed is to spend the next two days with his Fulham players ahead of their crucial trip to Portsmouth.

The Cottagers chairman is eager to show Roy Hodgson's squad that they have his full support going into Sunday's make-or-break showdown at Fratton Park.

Victory would secure Fulham's top-flight status for another season, but dropping points would open the door for both Reading and Birmingham to scramble above them in the fight to beat the drop.

Two of those three teams are set to relegated, with Bolton only able to be dragged back into the bottom three by an improbable series of results.

Al Fayed plans to spend as much time as possible with the squad over the next 48 hours as they prepare for the game which will define their season and the future of the club.

Important

He told the Daily Mirror: "Of course I am very hopeful about Sunday. The players are fired up and I am ready. But the result is in God's hands.

"It's important for the boys to know that we are supporting them and behind them.

"I am going to spend the whole of Friday and Saturday with the team. Everyone knows how important this is and how important Fulham is to me.

"We have been in the Premier League for seven years and everyone knows what relegation would mean."

And Al Fayed had a message for the club's fans, insisting that their support could be crucial on the South Coast this Sunday.

He added: "I know this has been a difficult season and that it has not gone as well as we would have liked.

"But these last few results have given us a chance to keep the dream alive and I have no doubt that the players will be giving it everything on Sunday.

"You the fans have been magnificent and I know that you will be there in great numbers. I also know that it will be vital that the boys hear you out on the pitch at Fratton Park.

"It has been your support that has helped them through so many tough games this season but no game has been more important than this one."

Passion

The Cottagers chairman has no plans to walk away from the West London club, even if they slip into the Championship.

He said: "Over 10 years ago I committed to Fulham for the long term and it has been a source of great pride and joy to me.

"My passion for the club and my desire to succeed is as strong as ever. We have laid the foundations for a club consistently competing in the top flight."