Fulham FC - Collins, Fryer & Reynolds

This striking Edwardian portrait captures Fulham FC at a formative moment in its early professional history, c.1909, and features three men who helped shape the club’s identity in the years before the First World War.

At the centre sits Jack Fryer, widely regarded as Fulham’s first true superstar. Nicknamed “String” for his agility and reach, Fryer was a goalkeeper of rare bravery in an era before gloves, when courage was a prerequisite rather than a virtue. His reputation was built on fearlessness, athleticism, and an unflinching willingness to put himself in harm’s way—qualities that made him a hero to early Fulham supporters and a benchmark for those who followed.

To one side is Arthur Reynolds, a figure whose importance to the club can scarcely be overstated. Reynolds remains Fulham’s most enduring servant, making 446 competitive appearances, a club record that still stands. He was the first Fulham player to pass both the 300- and 400-appearance milestones and, remarkably, remained a familiar face at Craven Cottage well into old age, attending matches right up until his death in 1970—an unbroken living link between the club’s Edwardian roots and its modern era.

Completing the trio is Arthur Collins, representing the dependable, disciplined professionals who formed the backbone of Fulham sides during this pioneering period, when the club was still forging its reputation within the Football League.

Together, these three figures embody the spirit of early Fulham football: resilience, loyalty, and quiet distinction. This image is not merely a portrait of players, but a window into a time when the foundations of the modern club were being laid—one appearance, one save, one season at a time.