Fulham Park Rangers, Craven Cottage bulldozed for exclusive riverside apartments, league visits to Woking and Forest Green. For 12 long years these fears came between the Fulham fan and a decent night's sleep.
The doom-laden plot became such a part of life for the 4,500 hard-core supporters who stayed to fight the fight and keep the faith that survivors of those wilderness years find it difficult to trust completely that what they are seeing now is not a mirage.
Millions spent on players. But what if that fails to buy success? Will the knight in shining armour disappear as suddenly as he arrived? One has to forgive the ingrained scepticism of the tortured Fulham supporter.
It may be, though, that the conclusive separation of fact from fiction came late on Saturday afternoon when 4,500 fans again rose as one, not to try to save the club this time but celebrate its resurrection.
Kevin Keegan wants eventually to see Aston Villa 0, Fulham 2 as a Premiership score-line. For the time being, though, an FA Cup upset of this magnitude will do. "When you think of what the fans have had to put up with over the years, this is a great day," said Keegan, whose affection has, thankfully, yet to be returned with chants of "We've got the best Chief Operating Officer in the land". "We looked very assured, like a team who could come and win here. The momentum is with us and we feel we are going places."
Fulham deserved this win. John Gregory's side disappointed but that was as much to do with Fulham's talents as Villa's inadequacies.
"We didn't have the ability, technique or guile to break them down," admitted Gregory. No wonder he is keen to sign Juninho.
The fact that Villa failed to score at home for the first time this season had little to do with Stan Collymore's petulant absence. The £7.5 million man was not picked in the first place.
In the light of Dion Dublin's injury, Gregory played Paul Merson up front with Julian Joachim. But even if this kept the moaning Merson happy, the England international was not in his best position and looked unfit.
What attacks did emerge, once Villa sharpened their passing and movement, crashed against the impenetrable wall provided by the three visiting centre-backs. Take a bow, Kit Symons and Chris Coleman and Simon Morgan, the club's longest serving player, who also popped up on eight minutes to head Fulham into the lead from Steve Hayward's corner.
And it was the impressive Hayward who added the second just before the interval when his shot from a tapped free-kick took a severe deflection to leave Michael Oakes stranded.
During the 36 minutes in between, Fulham created other chances, their threat stemming largely from a determination to win every battle in midfield and get the ball forward early and intelligently.
The home side created few early chances. Joachim was twice put through on goal but could not capitalise. After 30 minutes Keegan sat back with his feet up on an advertising hoarding.
As expected Villa turned the screw in the second half. But despite near constant pressure they failed to score. In fact, apart from a stunning reaction save from his namesake Ian, Maik Taylor in the Fulham goal was rarely asked to increase his heart-rate. Which will not be the case for Fulham's fans from now on.
Aston Villa: Oakes, Ehiogu, Southgate, Barry, Watson, Scimeca, Taylor, Hendrie, Wright (Vassell 59), Joachim, Merson. Subs Not Used: Grayson, Ferraresi, Hughes, Rachel. Booked: Ehiogu, Watson, Hendrie.
Fulham: Taylor, Collins, Symons, Coleman, Brevett, Morgan, Bracewell, Hayward, Finnan, Horsfield, Peschisolido (Smith 82). Subs Not Used: Trollope, Salako, Hayles, Arendse. Booked: Finnan, Smith. Goals: Morgan 8, Hayward 43.
Referee: D Elleray (Harrow-on-the-Hill).
