RIP, Mohamed Al Fayed 1929-2023
The Fulham Supporters’ Trust wish to offer our sincerest condolences to the family and friends of former Fulham chairman Mohamed Al-Fayed, who sadly passed away yesterday aged 96.
Mr. Al-Fayed’s impact on London’s oldest professional club was seismic from the very day his takeover of the club was announced following Fulham’s promotion from 1997. He announced a five-year plan to take the club to the promised land of the Premiership – and, though many scoffed, he achieved his dream a year ahead of time. His investment revolutionised the club from top to bottom and also supported Britain’s first professional female football side after a visit to the Women’s World Cup in 1999.
His tenure contained countless memories from the run to the 1999 FA Cup fifth round that saw a Second Division side surprise top flight opposition in Southampton and Aston Villa, to the fabulous football that saw Jean Tigana’s side storm to the First Division title and thirteen consecutive years in the Premier League that included that remarkable run to the Europa League final in 2010. We are also immensely grateful that Mr. Al-Fayed reversed course and secured Fulham’s long-term future at Craven Cottage having listened to our Back to the Cottage campaign.
Every Fulham fan will be forever grateful for the investment of Mr. Al-Fayed and his family as well as the special bond he formed with the Fulham family. Our thoughts are with his children Camila, Omar, Jasmine and Karim and the rest of the Al-Fayed family at this desperately sad time. We look forward to honouring his contribution to our club’s illustrious history during this afternoon’s fixture at Manchester City and in the weeks to come.
