Last Friday afternoon, I was sitting in a boring meeting I didn’t really have to be in wondering how I could possibly find a way of getting out of and bunking off home, and I imagine you were sat at your desks thinking of that first pint of the weekend. Meanwhile, over in the United States of Americee ex Fulham forward Brian McBride was announcing his retirement from professional football at the end of the coming MLS season.

Brian McBride

Born June 19th 1972 Brian McBride was signed by Cookie Coleman in the winter transfer window in 2004.Signing from Columbus Crew McBride went on to make 153 appearances for the Whites over four years, winning player of the season two years running and going on to captain the club. Scoring forty goals for Fulham, including some vital goals during the Great Escape season. He made such an impact at the club, and became such an iconic figure, that the club re-named the sports bar in his honour.

Having appeared in three World Cups for the States, scoring 30 times from 95 appearances, and one of the rare breed of players who nobody seems to have a bad word to say about them. Brian McBride will be remembered as one of the greats of Team USA.

I, and I’m sure everybody associated with Fulham FC, wish him well for all he does in the future.