After the high-profile signings of Juventus goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar and Lyon striker Steve Marlet, amongst others, Fulham chairman Mohammed Al-Fayed boasted that the newly promoted side would win the Premiership title. As it was, Fulham never came anywhere near matching the pace set by the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United, but the Cottagers still impressed upon their return to the top flight, peaking as high as eighth at one point. The club's good form gave hope to fans that their team could challenge for European qualification either through the league or their FA Cup run, but a run of nine games without a win dragged the club down to 16th with four games left to play and four points between them and 18th-placed Ipswich.[1] Seven points from the club's last four games lifted Fulham to safety in 13th, and, despite the poor league form and elimination from the FA Cup in the semi-finals, Fulham managed to achieve European qualification via the Intertoto Cup.
^Taylor was born in Hildesheim, West Germany (now Germany), but qualified to represent any of the home nations internationally as he holds a British passport, and made his international debut for Northern Ireland in 1999.
^Malbranque was born in Mouscron, Belgium, but also qualified to represent France internationally, and represented them at U-21 level. He would be called up to the senior international side in February 2004, but he would not play.
^Hayles was born in Lambeth, England, but also qualified to represent Jamaica internationally and made his international debut for Jamaica in June 2001, having previously represented the Cayman Islands internationally despite being ineligible to do so.
^Betsy was born in Woking, England, but also qualified to represent Seychelles internationally and would make his international debut for Seychelles in 2011.
^Trollope was born in Swindon, England, but also qualified to represent Wales internationally and made his international debut for Wales in May 1997.
^Neilson was born in Wegberg, West Germany (now Germany), but also qualified to represent Wales internationally and made his international debut for Wales in February 1992.
^McAnespie was born in Gosport, England, but also qualified to represent Scotland internationally, and represented them at U-21 level.
^Rehman was born in Birmingham, England and represented them at U-18, U-19 and U-20 level, but qualified to represent Pakistan internationally through his parents and would make his international debut for Pakistan in December 2005.