The 2009/10 season was one of the most memorable in Fulham Football Club’s long history. The club, based in West London, had spent much of its time in the Premier League battling relegation and trying to establish itself among the English top flight. But that season, under the astute management of Roy Hodgson, the club achieved something that few could have predicted: they reached the final of the UEFA Europa League, an achievement that cemented their place in European football history.

This blog post will explore the incredible journey of Fulham FC during the 2009/10 season, examining key moments, individual performances, and the overall narrative that made it one of the club’s most significant campaigns.

A Steady Start in the Premier League

Fulham’s 2009/10 season began with the foundation of solid Premier League form. Under Roy Hodgson, who took over as manager in December 2007, Fulham had established themselves as a team that was difficult to beat. Hodgson’s pragmatic approach to football, which focused on a solid defensive unit and disciplined team structure, started to pay off as the team consistently finished in mid-table in the Premier League.

During the 2009/10 season, Fulham finished a respectable 12th in the league, with 49 points. It was not an exceptional league campaign by any means, but the club’s consistent performances meant they were never in danger of relegation. Hodgson’s squad had a blend of experience and emerging talent, with players like Bobby Zamora, Damien Duff, and Danny Murphy providing leadership, while younger talents like Chris Baird and Clint Dempsey began to establish themselves as key contributors.

However, it was not Fulham’s domestic performances that defined their season. Instead, it was their remarkable run in the UEFA Europa League that captured the imagination of football fans both in England and across Europe.

The UEFA Europa League Adventure

Fulham’s remarkable run in the 2009/10 UEFA Europa League began with a slow start in Group E. They opened with a 1-1 draw away at PFC CSKA Sofia, followed by a narrow 1-0 victory over FC Basel at home. However, a last-minute equalizer from AS Roma in their third match highlighted the unpredictable nature of the group. A subsequent defeat at the Stadio Olimpico put Fulham in a precarious position. Despite a 1-0 win over CSKA Sofia, Fulham needed a victory in their final group match against Basel to progress. After leading 2-0 and 3-1, they were pushed to the brink by Marco Streller’s late goal, but held on to win 3-2 and secure second place in the group.

In the Round of 32, Fulham faced Shakhtar Donetsk, the winners of the previous season’s UEFA Cup. The tie was relatively straightforward for Fulham. A 1-1 draw in Ukraine and a 2-1 victory at home, where goals from Zoltán Gera and Bobby Zamora secured the aggregate win, sent Fulham through to the next stage despite a late equalizer from Shakhtar’s Jadson and Danny Murphy’s red card.

The Round of 16 saw Fulham face the mighty Juventus, with the Italian club looking to impose their authority after a 3-1 win in Turin. When David Trezeguet scored early in the second leg, Fulham’s hopes appeared dashed. However, Fulham mounted a stunning comeback. Fabio Cannavaro’s red card and goals from Bobby Zamora and Gera, including a penalty, brought them back into the tie. Clint Dempsey’s chip with eight minutes left secured a 4-1 victory at Craven Cottage, completing a dramatic 5-4 aggregate win.

In the quarter-finals, Fulham took on VfL Wolfsburg, the German champions. A solid 2-1 win at home gave them a two-goal advantage for the second leg, although a late header from Wolfsburg’s Alexander Madlung gave the German side hope. However, any chance of a comeback was extinguished when Zamora scored within the first 25 seconds of the return leg, leading to a 1-0 victory in Germany and a 3-1 aggregate triumph.

The semi-finals saw Fulham face Hamburger SV. Despite a goalless draw in Hamburg, Fulham’s hopes seemed slim, especially when Mladen Petrić gave the German side the lead in the second leg at Craven Cottage. But Fulham showed their resilience once again, with Simon Davies and Gera scoring in the second half to secure a 2-1 win, giving them a 2-1 aggregate victory and sending them to the final.

Fulham’s 2009/10 Europa League campaign was a true underdog story, with remarkable victories over top European teams like Juventus and Wolfsburg, and an unforgettable semi-final triumph over Hamburg. Their run to the final was an extraordinary achievement for the club, and while they were ultimately defeated by Atlético Madrid in the final, their journey remains one of the most memorable in European football history.

Key Players and Legacy

Bobby Zamora was one of the standout performers of Fulham’s 2009/10 season. His goalscoring form in both the Premier League and the Europa League made him one of the most important players in the team. Clint Dempsey the USMNT international also contributed significantly with his creativity and ability to score important goals, while goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer’s performances between the posts were critical to the club’s success.

Roy Hodgson’s leadership was another key factor. His tactical discipline, coupled with an understanding of his players’ strengths, helped Fulham achieve far beyond expectations. The manager’s calm demeanour and tactical nous were critical in the club’s success in Europe.

Despite not winning the Europa League, Fulham’s 2009/10 season remains a defining chapter in the club’s history. Their journey to the final, which included unforgettable victories over Juventus, Shakhtar Donetsk, and Hamburg, was a remarkable story of underdogs achieving greatness.

Fulham’s Europa League run demonstrated that with determination, discipline, and a little bit of magic, even the smallest clubs could achieve greatness on the European stage. It’s a campaign that continues to live long in the memory of Fulham fans and football enthusiasts alike, marking the club as a force to be reckoned with in European football.