1898-99 season

Overview
The 1898-99 season was Fulham's 17th season playing football, and the first in which they became professional (at the start of December 1898). They were also elected into the Southern League for the first time prior to the start of the season, playing in the London section of Division Two.

The decision to turn professional did not go down well with many of the club's players left as 1899 drew in. Of the players who had started the season, only goalkeeper Albert Maile, captain Jimmy Taylor and left half Jimmy Bowden were still regulars in the first team. Perhaps due to this disruption, Fulham only managed to finish third from bottom in the league.

Jimmy Taylor became the first Fulham player to be sent off in a match when on 22 October 1898, following an aggressive charge by Chesham player George Vickery, he retaliated by striking him several times. He later attacked the player once more after the match when the two teams had met in a hotel later that evening, and received a lengthy suspension.

This season saw the introduction of match cards with team line-ups printed on them and a new press box. Craven Cottage remained basic with no proper terracing and only a very small wooden stand for spectators who wished to sit down. The dressing rooms were basic wooden huts close to the halfway line.

Edward Hobart, John Love and Jack McKie became a small part of Fulham's history as they were the very first players signed after the club had turned professional.

Southern League Division Two (London)
1 The system of using goal average to separate two teams tied on points was used 2 The points system: 2 points for a win, 1 point for a draw and 0 points for losing 3 St Albans folded at the end of the season 4 Uxbridge left the Southern League at the end of the season

Squad
 *  - Incomplete data for total appearances and goals

Transfers in
Editing in progress

Transfers out
Editing in progress

Matches
Editing in progress

Appearances & goals
Editing in progress


 * colspan="20"|Players who left the club during 1898-99:
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Goalscorers
Editing in progress ''Includes all competitive matches. When total goals are equal, the list is sorted by player who gained that number first''