Fulham do the decent thing

Proof, if any were needed, that Roy Hodgson is one of the most honourable men in football.

Last season Fulham signed a young defender called Chris Smalling from Maidstone United. Smalling had come through the Stones' youth set-up but was playing on a non-contract basis, which meant Hodgson didn't need to pay a penny for the youngster.

But, in a gesture that's all too rare in football these days, Fulham promised to compensate Maidstone for swooping for one of their young stars. And they've gone through with that and then some.

Not only have they donated the cash for the Stones but Hodgson has promised the London club will make further payments once Smalling has made ten appearances for the Cottagers. He's already appeared once, against Everton in Fulham's final game of last season, and it won't be a surprise if he adds to that this season.

The total from Fulham could eventually reach five figures, cash that's vital for a Ryman Premier level club like Maidstone, much of which will go into youth development so they can continue to produce starlets like Smalling.

Fulham, meanwhile can hold their heads up up for a small gesture which shows more appreciation for the roots of the game than some of today's Premier League clubs often show.