In a sport where money counts for everything and success is usually bought, in a competition that has become bloated and stale; Fulham provided a little something to remind us of the romance of sport this season.

In the pre match mind games of the Europa Cup final Atletico Madrid players suggested that Fulham consisted of a team of rejects. While perhaps a little petty, it is difficult to argue with this assessment of the unfashionable Londoners. Bobby Zamora, Damien Duff, Danny Murphy, and Jonathon Greening among others all came to Craven Cottage with something to prove as regards their ability to contribute at a high level in the Premiership. But Roy Hodgson has transformed so many of his players to their level of old, or indeed improved them, and it is impossible to overplay his role in the recent revitalisation of the club.

Fulham as a team are so much more than the sum of their individual parts, and they have played with an energy and passion this year that is admirable and inspiring. They did not progress in this competition the easy way, playing some very good yardsticks en route to the final in Hamburg. Their fans are often heard chanting “Stand up if you still believe” in the Cottage, and this belief and determination has stood them in good stead in their European adventure. One of the great comebacks of the season took place in the second leg of the second round knock out tie of the Europa Cup, when the Cottagers conceded an early goal against Juventus to leave them trailing 4-1 on aggregate with a seemingly insurmountable task in front of them. Many other teams would have thrown in the towel, many other managers would have rested players for upcoming league games, but “surrender” is a word that has been omitted from Roy Hodgson and his charges’ dictionary. A stunning, bulldozing performance saw Fulham notch up four goals to dump the Turin giants out of Europe with a 5-4 victory on aggregate leaving observers bemused and elated. But there was no fluke about the manner of the victory, for the trick was to be repeated in the semi final second leg against Hamburg when the Londoners needed two goals in the final twenty minutes to progress. Simon Davies and Zoltan Gera duly obliged, further advertising the mental strength of the side.

It is worth noting that four of the sides Fulham faced began the season with Champions League aspirations, with three of them only entering the Europa League after Christmas, parachuted in following a third place finish in their group of the more prestigious competition. Nothing has been easy in their progress.

While another comeback in the final brought Fulham to extra time, unfortunately there was to be no fairytale ending as former Manchester United front man Diego Forlan, a man no stranger to the term “reject” himself, pounced with a late late goal to take the cup to Madrid. To consider the implications of this too long is to grow down heartened; most of this current Fulham squad will never compete in a final again or have a chance to collect some silverware, certainly at such a high level. But whatever scant consolation it offers, the Fulham players and management have won the respect and admiration of countless observers. Fulham are now a team to love, to have a soft spot for, and will now occupy the space of “second favourite team” for many supporters. This year the Europa League final was an event for the neutral, something worth watching. Would that have still been the case if Aston Villa, Everton or even Liverpool had progressed to that point? It is unlikely. There is nothing that fuels interest in the neutral as the success of a valiant under dog.

A small team of rejects with a small outdated stadium have shown the footballing community that steely determination and work rate can transcend bank balance size, and that there is at least a shred of romance left in the beautiful game.  The trophy may now reside in Spain, but the Cottagers have a great deal more than a runners-up medal to show for their heroics this season.