The Football Writers’ Association are putting on a special evening to remember their former chairman – and our great friend Paddy Barclay – at Craven Cottage in November.

Paddy, who sadly passed away earlier this year, was a season ticket holder in the Johnny Haynes Stand after he retired from football journalism. He was a brilliant chairman of the FWA and a regular reader of Hammyend as well as a great guest on The Green Pole podcast as well as several other Fulham shows. He also mentored a number of budding journalists as part of our Fullbrook Fund, set up in memory of the fanatical Fulham fan and much missed former Daily Star football correspondent Danny Fullbrook.

It is so fitting that Paddy’s friends and colleagues will gather in the new Riverside Stand at Fulham Pier to celebrate his immense contribution to the game and his life on Tuesday 18 November. The proceeds from what we will be an emotional evening, which will begin with a drinks reception and include a three-course meal, will include a donation to the fantastic Fulham FC Foundation, whose award-winning work Paddy so admired.

We will be represented at the dinner and wanted to promote this evening to those who loved Paddy, even if you just admired his wonderful writing and considered contributions on television, radio and the fabulous Football Ruined My Life podcast. Tickets are priced at £125 and can be purchased here.

We will continue to honour Paddy’s memory by expanding the opportunities for young Fulham writers to contribute to Hammyend and begin a career in journalism, like the 46 journalists who have passed through our programme over the past thirteen years. If you would like more details of that scheme, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. You will also email Dan directly on daniel.s.crawford@hotmail.com