It is very difficult to sum up just up what John Paintsil means to the Fulham fans. The Ghanaian full back was quite a character – and Roy Hodgson’s decision to splash out around £8m on him and Bobby Zamora in the summer of 2008 was the subject of some tabloid ridicule. Paintsil, whose name lost an i when it was registered following his birth and in passport and football administration documentation, became a cult hero at Craven Cottage for his whole-hearted performances as well as his emotional connection with the Fulham fans.
He played 91 games in total for the Whites helping London’s oldest professional football club record their highest ever league finish nine months after staying up on the final day. He was then part of the side that, unbelievably, went all the way to the Europa League final in Hamburg having had to enter the competition’s early qualifying rounds the previous June. I’d submit that he was harshly treated under Mark Hughes – but Painstil bears no grudges to Fulham.
If you are eagerly awaiting the announcement of the new Premier League fixtures, why not celebrate our old right back’s birthday by listening his brilliant appearance on our Green Pole podcast with Alan Drewett from January. It’s well worth your time!
