Very nostalgic thread this. The first name has to be Peter Gill. The finest and most inspirational player ever to play for a London club and, in my view, the greatest non-capped Australian to play RL in England in the 40 odd years I've been watching the game.
After him there are a whole host of players. I would have to have Hussein M'Barki who scored a try for Fulham against the 1982 Kangaroos, one of only three tries scored against them on the tour I think. Number three, for his overall contribution to the game should be Shaun Edwards, but honorable mentions to Reg Bowden, Dave Eckersley, Sam Stewart, John Crossley, Mike Davis, John Gallagher, Scott Roskell and about 20 others.

Serious point here. People reeling off names such as Stewart, Davis, Crossley etc - with respect, I've never heard of any of these players, and its hardly like we were a side that were dominating RL during their era. Were they just standouts in a poor side or are you only naming them for nostalgic reasons? I can understand players such as Roskell and M'Barki, but the others? Seriously?

You can only judge players by the standards and context of their time. Sam Stewart was a Kiwi international and a graet leader for us in the Copthall days.

As for the others, if I still have a clear picture of them after a quarter of a century, they must have had something going for them. John Crossley was a super little stand off with real pace who could score a try from anywhere with a sniff of a chance and a bit of space. Mike Davis, now forgotten, was an Aussie half-back who played for Fulham when they got kicked out of Craven Cottage and went to Crystal Palace. He was simply the classiest player in a very ordinary team, a beacon of light who scored a load of tries.

Can I also add Mark Johnson, a classy South African winger from the Sam Stewart/Mark Riley era and the fantastic Robbie Beazley (have we ever had a better hooker?) who could sniff out a half chance when he got anywhere near the line. We mustn't forget Terry Matterson who was still a great player when he came over towards the end of his career.

We also had a few young guys who came over from Brisbane Broncos and only played a few games for us but were like a breath of fresh air at the time and went on to be distinguished players. I am thinking in particular of Leo Dynevor, Ben Walker and Syd Domic.

One last name - Tulsen Tollett - who was a real quality player before he went to Quins RU, but never quite the same when he came back.

McLinden,Hopkins and Retchless - skill, creativity, never say die attitude!

Since I started watching regularly in 2002:

1. Scott Hill - brilliantly gifted playmaker; a shame he was never fully fit enough for long enough to really show what he could do.

2. Mark McLinden - exciting and inspirational player in a variety of positions who often seemed to turn games in our favour through sheer willpower.

3. Lee Hopkins - tough, consistent forward who rarely made a mistake or missed a game and could run with the ball and score tries like a back. I think he's the main reason many people are so disappointed with Robinson & Williamson; memories of Hoppo playing in the same position are still fresh, and they're simply not as talented as he was, but few are.

I agree with that comment- I dont think Ive seen a better second rower running out wide like he did-possibly Ellis ex Leeds- something in our game we haven't replaced

in my ten years of being a supporter(i have only missed a handfull of games) i would go for
hetherington moran retchless

Some great names here. I've never forgotten Mike Davis, as he was the first real livewaire scrum half I can recall us having. On a less positive point, it's interesting that you bracket him with John Crossley; Crossley was the one who was first to jump ship when the original Fulham club went belly up, while Davis was the one player who didn't take part in the play for free match when the second incarnation of Fulham was going down the pan. At least we got revenge on Crossley when he came back with Fev!

As for ex-Brisbane players, honourable mentions for Terry Matterson and "Bad Boy" Julian O'Neill.

Must be alchohol related, but I struggle to remember how good the players were beyond a few years. How good was Hauff for example? Ex-Queensland rep should have been a top full back.

Peter Gill.
Kim Hamilton.
Scott Roskell.

Being 17, i have no idea who these players are you keep mentioning, my dad will know seeing how he's watched since their first game at Craven Cottage

After much thought, still can't make my mind up (nothing new there). McLinden and Hill for sure but I'm trying to think of a decent ex-centre and failing so far. Of course, there's Sykes and Martin but I don't rate either of them too highly. Maybe O'Halloran? But I'm not sure about him either.

Have we ever had a decent pair of centres?

Roy/Martin

I doubt it. Decent centres appear to have been particularly difficult to come by. IIRC Julian O'Neill played full back during his brief stint with us, but a centre pairing of him and Chris McKenna would have been pretty useful.

Ah, thanks, Nigel Roy will complete my set of three, with McLinden and Hill.

O'Neill would certainly add a bit of spice to things, but I doubt he'd be the best of squad members. McKenna was another I'd forgotten, but I'll stick with Roy.

Always be one of my favourites for spoiling the opening of the KC Stadium

As Chris Warren used to say "Please enjoy, Nigel Roy."

Dymock to provide the steadying hand, whether as a standoff or as a loose forward he had the class to lead the side.

Retchless to toughen up our defence, which was woeful at times last season, he'd just hoover up all those tackles we missed.

Hopkins to partner Retchless in the second-row, a complete all round second-rower, good hands, read the game, ran intelligent lines, and could defend. A back row of Retchless, Hopkins and Purdo in their pomp would solve a lot of problems.

The toughest choice was to leave out McLinden, he'd give us a bit of magic, but I think Dymock would be the more valuable player in our current squad.

Almost impossible question:

Retchless, Hill

Then anyone from:

Scott Cram, Greg fleming, Nigel Roy, Huoamona, Hethrington, McLinden, Edwards, Hopkins, Barnett Dymock.........................

Huoamona?!

reg bowden,john dalgreen,hussein m'barki

Hi All. Long time reader, first time poster.

McLinden, Haumono, Feleti Mateo.

In the light of the news of Purdo and Robinson I'd go for any 3 decent forwards!

Gilly,Dymock,McLinden.