This past summer I made a decision to support the Fulham Football Club. It was based on several parameters. I wanted to choose a club to support in that it would organically infuse my interest in the game — I started playing in a league in Berkeley around the same time.

First, the club must currently play in the English Premier League (choosing EPL had its own decision process; it mostly hinged on the fact games would be broadcasted in English, increasing the likelihood of me watching).

Second, the club must be near London. In the off chance I do visit England, it will very likely be to London — even if it were a day or two to take advantage of a Heathrow connection — and I would not want to then travel to Manchester or Liverpool. If the team were in the London area it would be possible to go to a game.

Third, the club must not be a superpower (like the Yankees in baseball). I hate the Yankees, and the sentiment translates across the pond: I hate Manchester United and I don’t know a single thing about them (except that they are the Yankees of the EPL). The club must be competitive however — I didn’t want my support following a club out the door through relegation (unless that happened after some time). I’m supporting an EPL team, goddam it!

Fourth, the uniforms must be slick. I didn’t want to regret wearing a jersey.

All of these parameters led to two clubs (Tottenham and Fulham) and then secondary criteria were evaluated. Tottenham had a loose affiliation with the San Jose Earthquakes (the local MLS team) and were in competition to make the Champions League. Fulham had a better name (the Cottagers), better jerseys, an underdog standing, and an American star (Clint Dempsey) — although rumors persisted that he was on his way to a better club in La Liga, and still persist.

Fulham was my choice. I have been supporting the club since August.

I have since studied the club exhaustively — its history (oldest club in London) and its stadium along the Thames (Craven Cottage, soon to be updated). I’ve subscribed to a Cottagers blog and followed a few Fulham twitterers. I’ve purchased two jerseys (a black away Dempsey jersey and a 2010/11 third green kit). And in a few years I plan on attending a game with my son. I’m all in.

I have also watched a few matches — the ones I can download — and had a long mid-week lunch at an Irish pub to enjoy a devastating loss to Man U. I knew the club was not a juggernaut but already my emotions flow with the ups and downs of the EPL season and various cups.

Fulham!