CRAVEN COTTAGE
What Is It Like For Visiting Supporters?
Away fans are housed to one side of the Putney End Stand on the river side of the ground. This stand is shared with 'neutral' supporters, with away fans being allocated around 3,000 seats, which is just under half of the overall capacity of this stand. There are a couple of supporting pillars that could impede your view, but this only applies to certain seats in Row DD and above. The leg room is ample and as the rows of stand seem to have been constructed from metal and plywood, rather than concrete, fans can't resist making some noise, by stamping up and down on it.
Food and drink are served from a number of outlets and stalls situated behind the stands. These areas although mostly covered are not enclosed, which is great in the Summer but can be rather cold in Winter. However if you go to the outlets around to the left of the stand then you can enjoy some nice views of the Thames, whilst having your beer. Cans of Tetleys, Guinness and plastic bottles of Carlsberg (500ml) are available at £4. The Club offer an interesting range of pies by Vilis. Including amongst others Lamb & Mint (£3), Vegetable (£3), Cottage Pie (£3.50) and Sausage Rolls (£2.50). You could also get a roll with a Cumberland sausage filling (£3.50). On my last visit I did try the Lamb & Mint pie, but I have to admit that it was not my 'cup of tea'. Generally there seems to be enough food and drink outlets available so that the queues were never too long (those located on the Thames side, hardly even had a queue at half time (even though on my last visit the away section was sold out). Around the concourses are flat screen televisions showing the game going on inside.
I have been previously to Craven Cottage on a number of occasions and on a nice summer day, this is one of my favourite grounds. From the walk from the tube station through a park, to having a pint overlooking the River Thames, this can be quite an enjoyable experience and I have never had any problems there. The walk down Stevenage Road to the away entrance, gives you chance to admire the quaint red brick facade of the Johnny Haynes Stand, whilst inside you can enjoy modern facilities, and apart from the game, you can still catch glimpses of rowers making their away along the Thames.
I have to say the recent re-developments have made a great ground even better and there is now a superb blend of the new and the old, giving the ground great individuality and character. My only grumble has been sometimes the rather large police presence outside the ground (including mounted police and dog handlers), before and after the games that I have attended. One would have thought they were expecting a riot. On one of my visits the Birmingham Fans were chanting to the Fulham fans, "you only sing when you're rowing!"
One other item of interest is that Fulham is the only Club that I know of that has a designated area of the ground reserved for 'neutral supporters'. This is located on one side of the Putney End, adjacent to the away fans section. I guess that the original idea was to attract tourists to London to a game. However, for each game there seems to be a good mix, of home, away and neutral fans in this area. Both away fans and neutral supporters use the same entrance and both can access the same facilities at the back of the stand.
Where To Drink?
Near to the tube station is the 'Eight Bells' which is popular with away fans. Along Fulham High Street there are a number of pubs to be found. David Frear recommends; 'The Crabtree on Rainville Road (10 minutes from the ground) welcomes all away supporters and as a Fulham season ticket holder I can tell you that as long as you don't watch your football at Loftus Road you can be assured of a warm welcome'. To find this pub go along Stevenage Road away from the Cottage and the away end. On reaching the home end of the ground, turn left along an alley which runs behind the stand. When you reach the River Thames turn right and walk along the riverside path. You will reach the Crabtree on your right.
Alan Holmes a visiting Norwich City fan adds; 'The Eight Bells (before the game) had a wonderful atmosphere (home fans enjoying it as well) and there was even a backboard proclaiming "Run by football fans for football fans" and headed "Welcome to all Canaries fans!" The Crabtree (afterwards) was well worth the swim against the tide and when the weather is pleasant, the spacious beer garden is an added bonus. This pub is also just under 20 minutes walk from Hammersmith tube station. There was an excellent range of real ales in both pubs'.
How To Get There By Car & Where To Park
From the North M1
At the end of the M1, turn right (west) onto the A406 (North Circular) and follow it towards Harrow for nearly 4.5 miles. Turn left (east) onto the A40 heading into London (passing close to Loftus Road and after a little over 4 miles turn right (west) onto the A402 for just about 350 yards. Here you turn left (south) along the A219 for a little over half a mile. This brings you into Hammersmith where you turn right onto the A315 and then after just 130 yards or so turn left (south) back onto the A219. Follow this road for a little over a mile, and the ground down the side streets off to your right.
From The North M40 & West M25
Leave the M25 at Junction 15 and take the M4, which then becomes the A4, towards Central London. After around two miles branch off left into Hammersmith Broadway (before the flyover). Go around the ring road around central Hammersmith, keeping to the right. Then take the A219 Fulham Palace Road. Keep straight on this road, passing Charing Cross Hospital on your left. After about another half a mile, take one of the right hand turns for the ground. If you pass the Fulham Palace Garden Centre on your right, then you have gone too far.
From the South M25
Leave the M25 at Junction 10 and take the A3 towards Central London. After around eight miles, leave the A3 at the turn off for the A219. Take the A219 towards Putney. Continue straight on this road, down Putney High Street and across Putney Bridge. You will see the ground on your left.
Parking close to the ground can be quite difficult as Jim Huegett informs me; 'please note that parking on the streets near to the ground is restricted to one hour 'pay & display' on matchdays. This isn't obvious from the parking meters and signage and the wardens are out in force on match day'. To compound matters these restrictions are also in place for Bank Holidays, Sundays and evenings up to 9.30pm, so it will be a case of finding some parking further away from the stadium.
Post Code for SAT NAV: SW6 6HH
By Train/Tube
The nearest London Underground station is Putney Bridge, which is on the District Line. The ground is about a fifteen minute walk. Turn left out of the station and then immediately turn right into a street called Ranelagh Gardens. As the road bends around to the right you will see the Eight Bells pub on your right. Turn left after the pub to take you up to the main road by Putney Bridge. Cross over to the other side of the main road and proceed up to the bridge and then on reaching the bridge turn right to enter into Bishops Park alongside the Thames. Just proceed through the park (keeping the Thames on your left) and you will reach the ground ahead.
An alternative route by tube, is to get the Piccadilly Line to Hammersmith from Central London or Heathrow. It is then around a 20 minute walk to the ground, going straight down Fulham Palace Road (passing Charing Cross Hospital). Further on you can then turn right into Crabtree Lane (for the pub of the same name) or carry on and turn right into Harbord Street for Craven Cottage.
Tony Baker adds; 'Those wishing to avoid the Tube can use the Putney National Rail station, which can be reached from Waterloo and Clapham Junction. Its about a 15 or 20 minute walk to the ground. Turn right upon leaving the station, and keep going straight, down Putney High Street and over Putney Bridge. You will meet the crowds from the Tube station here. Follow them along the river bank through Bishops Park and to the ground'.
Saturday December 21
Premier League
12:45 Liverpool v Cardiff City
15:00 Crystal Palace v Newcastle United
15:00 Fulham v Manchester City
15:00 Man Utd v West Ham United
15:00 Stoke City v Aston Villa
15:00 Sunderland v Norwich City
15:00 West Brom v Hull City
Sunday December 22
Premier League
13:30 Southampton v Tottenham
16:00 Swansea City v Everton