So here it is. Our first major cup final of the season as we take on Fulham at the Gallagher Stadium in Maidstone. I hope our ladies had a better Easter than me and thoroughly enjoyed their break by not over indulging in too much chocolate. The Fulham ladies enjoyed a visit from the Easter Bunny apparently, according to their social media page.
I think some of them have refrained from tucking into their Cadbury's cream eggs and are saving them for their journey home from Princes Park on the 18th of May.
But there was no rest for the wicked in their case as they had to battle for a hard fought victory last weekend. They beat Saltdean United on the Tiger's infamous assault course at Home Hill 2-1 after going 1-0 down.
Although I doubt if they'll be overly worried about tired legs come the the day of the final. After all, their squad outnumbers our entire British Armed Forces personnel. So it shouldn't be a problem fielding a side so long as they've played enough games to qualify and aren't cuptied.
Roll on Sunday.
DARTFORD v FULHAM LEAGUE CUP FINAL The Gallagher Stadium Maidstone United 27/4/25 Ko 2:30 pm
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Ajaxman DFC
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Ring of fire
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Ring of fire
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Re: DARTFORD v FULHAM LEAGUE CUP FINAL The Gallagher Stadium Maidstone United 27/4/25 Ko 2:30 pm
THE LEAGUE CUP FINAL BETWEEN DARTFORD AND FULHAM HAS BEEN POSTPONED.
Here is what the guilty party had to say in a statement:
Club Statement: FFCW League Cup Final
By Fulham FC
We regret to inform our supporters that Fulham Football Club Women (FFCW) has, this morning (Saturday 26 April), withdrawn from the League Cup competition owing to a breach of player eligibility rules. It was brought to the attention of FFCW yesterday that it had inadvertently played an ineligible player in previous rounds of the competition. On scrutinising this information FFCW confirmed to the league its intention to withdraw from the competition.
Huw Jennings, Head of Football Development at Fulham F.C., commented:
"We would like to take this opportunity to apologise to all those who have been affected by this oversight; the league and its officers; the players, officials and supporters of Dartford, Millwall, Brentford and Denham United. We would also like to apologise to our own supporters, especially those who were planning to attend the final this Sunday.
FULHAM F.C. THEN WENT ON TO MAKE OUT THAT THIS WAS NO BIG DEAL -
IN OTHER WORDS - FULHAM F.C.THINK THEMSELVES BIGGER THAN THE GAME ITSELF:
They calmly stated: "We will now look forward to the final three games of our league campaign, beginning with Sporting London Benfica at Craven Cottage on Sunday May 4th."
What crap management they have. What a disgraceful club they are.
Here is what the guilty party had to say in a statement:
Club Statement: FFCW League Cup Final
By Fulham FC
We regret to inform our supporters that Fulham Football Club Women (FFCW) has, this morning (Saturday 26 April), withdrawn from the League Cup competition owing to a breach of player eligibility rules. It was brought to the attention of FFCW yesterday that it had inadvertently played an ineligible player in previous rounds of the competition. On scrutinising this information FFCW confirmed to the league its intention to withdraw from the competition.
Huw Jennings, Head of Football Development at Fulham F.C., commented:
"We would like to take this opportunity to apologise to all those who have been affected by this oversight; the league and its officers; the players, officials and supporters of Dartford, Millwall, Brentford and Denham United. We would also like to apologise to our own supporters, especially those who were planning to attend the final this Sunday.
FULHAM F.C. THEN WENT ON TO MAKE OUT THAT THIS WAS NO BIG DEAL -
IN OTHER WORDS - FULHAM F.C.THINK THEMSELVES BIGGER THAN THE GAME ITSELF:
They calmly stated: "We will now look forward to the final three games of our league campaign, beginning with Sporting London Benfica at Craven Cottage on Sunday May 4th."
What crap management they have. What a disgraceful club they are.
Last edited by TonyDart on Sun Apr 27, 2025 9:58 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Ajaxman DFC
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Re: DARTFORD v FULHAM LEAGUE CUP FINAL The Gallagher Stadium Maidstone United 27/4/25 Ko 2:30 pm
Fulham never wanted to play us on 27th April in the first place. So they got the original league fixture moved to the 18th May. And now they've avoided playing us on the same date again.
And what they have done is disgusting and totally unacceptable. It's not the first or even second time our women have been let down at the last minute at the weekend in this amateurish league this season. I use the term loosely considering some clubs pay their players at this level. And Fulham are one of them. And considering their women get paid for their services they are not as good as they think they are.
Their statement of apology is an attempt to get off lightly and there must be some form of censure applied, that reaches far beyond a mere slap on the wrist.
Fulham have called off a major cup final barely 24 hours before kick off. One hour before they made their statement at 09:52 am they were still selling tickets.
The thing that is really making me angry is why now? What was it that compelled them to pull out in the 90th minute. It wasn't the League who pulled them. They went to the League acting the innocent party as in look how wonderfully honest we are and offering to withdraw from the competition.
In otherwords, who gave them the jitters scaring them off.
They said the incident was brought to their attention by FFC. Which can't be anything other than their administrators.
Brought to their attention by whome? Who made the call? Sent the damaging email or even text message?
Basically, what was said that induced them to ditch the League Cup Final the very same weekend they were due to play in it?
They've showed nothing but utter contempt and disregard for this league and it's participants. They have robbed our women of a great day out with barely any notice. Totally ruined their weekend.
I agree with Fulham if they feel they shouldn't even be competing in this division.
Because they deserve to be a couple of steps lower in the pyramid after this.
And to be fair to their supporters, for whome Fulham have also let down, some of them have made their feelings felt and sound quite disgusted too.
And what they have done is disgusting and totally unacceptable. It's not the first or even second time our women have been let down at the last minute at the weekend in this amateurish league this season. I use the term loosely considering some clubs pay their players at this level. And Fulham are one of them. And considering their women get paid for their services they are not as good as they think they are.
Their statement of apology is an attempt to get off lightly and there must be some form of censure applied, that reaches far beyond a mere slap on the wrist.
Fulham have called off a major cup final barely 24 hours before kick off. One hour before they made their statement at 09:52 am they were still selling tickets.
The thing that is really making me angry is why now? What was it that compelled them to pull out in the 90th minute. It wasn't the League who pulled them. They went to the League acting the innocent party as in look how wonderfully honest we are and offering to withdraw from the competition.
In otherwords, who gave them the jitters scaring them off.
They said the incident was brought to their attention by FFC. Which can't be anything other than their administrators.
Brought to their attention by whome? Who made the call? Sent the damaging email or even text message?
Basically, what was said that induced them to ditch the League Cup Final the very same weekend they were due to play in it?
They've showed nothing but utter contempt and disregard for this league and it's participants. They have robbed our women of a great day out with barely any notice. Totally ruined their weekend.
I agree with Fulham if they feel they shouldn't even be competing in this division.
Because they deserve to be a couple of steps lower in the pyramid after this.
And to be fair to their supporters, for whome Fulham have also let down, some of them have made their feelings felt and sound quite disgusted too.
Re: DARTFORD v FULHAM LEAGUE CUP FINAL The Gallagher Stadium Maidstone United 27/4/25 Ko 2:30 pm
WHAT A SEASON THIS HAS BEEN IN THE lONDON & SE REGIONAL WOMEN'S LEAGUE. - Stop, start, cancel, postpone, don't play, won't play, walk-overs with little thought for the innocent parties - and now the POSTPONEMENT / CANCELLATION of the League Cup Final. WHAT A WONDERFUL LEAGUE.
And on top of everything why does this league insist on allowing teams to play right up to the end of May.
Most clubs are, at the very least, preparing to re-seed or improve their pitches along with other important tasks.
Especially in a league with only 12 teams.
It's just down-right ridiculous.
38 Sundays (excluding Christmas and New Year) to play 22 league games, not forgetting two are expected to be played in mid-week, + (say) 6 max league cup = 26 Sundays
We still have TWELVE Sundays spare. Totally amateurish if you ask me and no thought for clubs who want to prepare good, decent pitches to play on for the next season.
Heads are well and truly buried in the sand and the grass seeds.
And on top of everything why does this league insist on allowing teams to play right up to the end of May.
Most clubs are, at the very least, preparing to re-seed or improve their pitches along with other important tasks.
Especially in a league with only 12 teams.
It's just down-right ridiculous.
38 Sundays (excluding Christmas and New Year) to play 22 league games, not forgetting two are expected to be played in mid-week, + (say) 6 max league cup = 26 Sundays
We still have TWELVE Sundays spare. Totally amateurish if you ask me and no thought for clubs who want to prepare good, decent pitches to play on for the next season.
Heads are well and truly buried in the sand and the grass seeds.
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Ajaxman DFC
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Re: DARTFORD v FULHAM LEAGUE CUP FINAL The Gallagher Stadium Maidstone United 27/4/25 Ko 2:30 pm
It's becoming clear as night and day there is more than one breach of the rules here. Fulham are already being backed into a corner with no choice other than to put their hands up over their general conduct throughout the season.
Keep up the excellent work Tony. The pressure is mounting on them and the more people speak out on this the better.
The future integrity of the London & South East Regional League is at stake. It's also an opportunity for other clubs who feel they have been disadvantaged to come forward.
I will also be looking forward to discovering the views of those connected with Millwall Lionesses, Fulham's League Cup semi-final opponents. I'll keep you posted.
Keep up the excellent work Tony. The pressure is mounting on them and the more people speak out on this the better.
The future integrity of the London & South East Regional League is at stake. It's also an opportunity for other clubs who feel they have been disadvantaged to come forward.
I will also be looking forward to discovering the views of those connected with Millwall Lionesses, Fulham's League Cup semi-final opponents. I'll keep you posted.