Editing Craven Cottage (section)

===Modern times===
[[File:Craven Cottage Stevenage Road Stand.jpg|thumb|right|Craven Cottage before the implementation of the [[Taylor report]].]]
[[File:Johnny Haynes Stand.JPG|thumb|right|The historic triangular gable on top of the Haynes stand, one of the few extant at British grounds]] 
When the [[Hillsborough disaster]] occurred in 1989, Fulham were in the second bottom rung of [[The Football League]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.statto.com/football/teams/fulham/1988-1989/table |title=Fulham 1988–1989 : English Division Three (old) Table |publisher=Statto |access-date=20 November 2013 |archive-date=29 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160829014704/http://www.statto.com/football/teams/fulham/1988-1989/table |url-status=dead }}</ref> but following the [[Taylor report]] Fulham's ambitious chairman Jimmy Hill tabled plans in 1996 for an all-seater stadium.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/2395783/Fulham-pushed-out-Hill.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/2395783/Fulham-pushed-out-Hill.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Fulham pushed out Hill | first=Mihir | last=Bose |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|location=London |date=7 February 2003|access-date=20 November 2013}}{{cbignore}}</ref> These plans never came to fruition, partly due to local residents' pressure groups, and by the time Fulham reached the [[Premier League]], they still had standing areas in the ground,<ref name="Terrace" /> something virtually unheard of at the time. A year remained to do something about this (teams reaching the second tier for the first time are allowed a three-year period to reach the required standards for the top two divisions),<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/p/plymouth_argyle/6740273.stm |title=Plymouth forced to close terrace |publisher=BBC Sport |date=2 August 2012|access-date=20 November 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19095689 |title=Peterborough back calls for safe standing at football grounds |publisher=BBC Sport |date=11 June 2007|access-date=20 November 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-essex-12600812 |title=Colchester MP wants return of football standing areas |publisher=BBC News |date=28 February 2011|access-date=20 November 2013}}</ref> but by the time the last league game was played there, against [[Leicester City F.C.|Leicester City]] on 27 April 2002, no building plans had been made. Two more [[Intertoto Cup]] games were played there later that year (against [[FC Haka]] of Finland<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/fulham/3030674/Intertoto-Cup-Fulhams-tepid-farewell-to-home.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/fulham/3030674/Intertoto-Cup-Fulhams-tepid-farewell-to-home.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Intertoto Cup: Fulham's tepid farewell to home | first=Gary | last=Slater |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|location=London |date=7 July 2002|access-date=20 November 2013}}{{cbignore}}</ref> and [[Egaleo FC]] of Greece<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/fulham/3031317/Intertoto-Cup-Saha-saves-the-day-for-Fulham.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/fulham/3031317/Intertoto-Cup-Saha-saves-the-day-for-Fulham.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Intertoto Cup: Saha saves the day for Fulham | first=Andrew | last=Walshaw |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|location=London |date=21 July 2002|access-date=20 November 2013}}{{cbignore}}</ref>), and the eventual solution was to decamp to [[Loftus Road]], home of local rivals [[Queens Park Rangers F.C.|QPR]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/1800444.stm |title=Fulham's Loftus Road switch |publisher=BBC Sport |date=4 February 2002|access-date=20 November 2013}}</ref> During this time, many Fulham fans only went to away games in protest of moving from Craven Cottage.<ref name="Fortress">{{cite web |url=http://espnfc.com/news/story?id=304739&cc=5739 |title=Al Fayed wants 'Fortress Cottage' |publisher=ESPN FC |date=8 July 2004|access-date=20 November 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://lostboyos.wordpress.com/2013/01/02/lost-in-fulham/ |title=Lost in…Fulham |publisher=Lost Boyos |date=2 January 2013|access-date=20 November 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.friendsoffulham.com/forum/index.php?topic=6406.15;wap2 |title=Fulham messageboard discussion |publisher=Friends of Fulham|access-date=20 November 2013}}</ref> 'Back to the Cottage', later to become the 'Fulham Supporters Trust', was set up as a fans pressure group to encourage the chairman and his advisers that Craven Cottage was the only viable option for Fulham Football Club.<ref>{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2ldnVIuhjc| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150713114339/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2ldnVIuhjc&feature=related| archive-date=2015-07-13 | url-status=dead|title=1964 – 1965 – Fulham v Man United|date=21 January 2009|via=YouTube}}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4AIRmZnXqlw| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150704131644/https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&NR=1&v=4AIRmZnXqlw| archive-date=2015-07-04 | url-status=dead|title=Craven Cottage Film|date=22 December 2008|via=YouTube}}</ref>

After one and a half seasons at [[Loftus Road]], no work had been done on the Cottage. In December 2003, plans were unveiled for £8 million worth of major refurbishment work to bring it in line with Premier League requirements.<ref name="officialwebsite" /><ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/f/fulham/3326021.stm |title=Fulham return to Cottage |publisher=BBC Sport|date=16 December 2003|access-date=20 November 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://legacy.london.gov.uk/mayor/planning_decisions/strategic_dev/2004/jan0704/craven_cottage_appendix.pdf|title=Craven Cottage Stadium (Fulham Football Club)|publisher=Greater London Authority|date=3 December 2003|access-date=20 November 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120819104129/http://legacy.london.gov.uk/mayor/planning_decisions/strategic_dev/2004/jan0704/craven_cottage_appendix.pdf|archive-date=19 August 2012}}</ref> With planning permission granted, work began in January 2004 in order to meet the deadline of the new season. The work proceeded as scheduled and the club were able to return to their home for the start of the [[2004–05 FA Premier League|2004–05 season]]. Their first game in the new-look 22,000 all-seater stadium was a pre-season friendly against Watford on 10 July 2004.<ref name="officialwebsite" />

The current stadium was one of the [[Premier League]]'s smallest grounds at the time of Fulham's relegation at the end of the [[2013–14 Premier League|2013–14]] season (it was third-smallest, after the [[KC Stadium]] and the [[Liberty Stadium]]).<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-22940442 |title=Cardiff City plan stadium expansion in time for 2014/15 season |publisher=BBC News|date=17 June 2013|access-date=20 November 2013}}</ref> Much admired for its fine architecture,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/11767726/Ranking-all-54-stadiums-in-Premier-League-history.html?frame=3390163|title=Ranking all 54 stadiums in Premier League history|date=3 August 2015|work=The Daily Telegraph|location=London}}</ref> the stadium has recently hosted a few international games, mostly including [[Australia men's national soccer team|Australia]]. This venue is suitable for Australia because most of the country's top players are based in Europe, and West London has a significant community of [[expatriate]] Australians. Also, [[Greece national football team|Greece]] vs. [[Korea Republic national football team|South Korea]] was hosted on 6 February 2007.<ref name="GreKor">{{cite web |url=http://espnfc.com/match?id=212500&cc=5739 |title=Match: Greece v South Korea – International Friendly |publisher=ESPN FC |date=6 February 2007|access-date=20 November 2013}}</ref> In 2011 Brazil played Ghana, in an international friendly,<ref name="BraGha">{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/14798121 |title=Brazil 1–0 Ghana |publisher=BBC Sport|date=5 September 2011|access-date=20 November 2013}}</ref> and the [[2011 UEFA Women's Champions League Final|Women's Champions League Final]] was hosted.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2011/may/26/lyon-turbine-potsdam-womens-champions-league |title=Wendie Renard and Lara Dickenmann make amends as Lyon see off Potsdam | first=Paul | last=Doyle |newspaper=The Guardian|location=London |date=26 May 2011|access-date=20 November 2013}}</ref>

Craven Cottage often hosts other events such as 5-a-side football tournaments and weddings.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fulhamfc.com/visit/experiences-and-events/weddings |title=Weddings |publisher=Fulham F.C. |access-date=20 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203002130/http://www.fulhamfc.com/visit/experiences-and-events/weddings |archive-date=3 December 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Some have Sunday Lunch at the Riverside restaurant<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fulhamfc.com/hospitality/packages/riverside-restaurant |title=Riverside Restaurant |publisher=Fulham F.C. |access-date=20 November 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131125120514/http://www.fulhamfc.com/hospitality/packages/riverside-restaurant |archive-date=25 November 2013 }}</ref> or the 'Cottage Cafe'<ref name="cafe" /> on non-match days. Craven Cottage hosted the [[Oxbridge]] Varsity Football match annually between 1991 and 2000 and again in 2003, 2006 (the same day as the '[[The Boat Race|Boat Race]]'<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ox.ac.uk/media/news_stories/2006/060321_1.html |title=ox.ac.uk/media/news_stories/2006/060321_1.html |publisher=University of Oxford |date=21 March 2006 |access-date=20 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130428110024/http://www.ox.ac.uk/media/news_stories/2006/060321_1.html |archive-date=28 April 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref>), 2008, 2009,<ref name="Varsity">{{cite web |url=http://www.ouafc.com/varsity-matches/index |title=List of Varsity matches |publisher=Oxford University A.F.C. |date=9 December 2009 |access-date=20 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203041949/http://www.ouafc.com/varsity-matches/index |archive-date=3 December 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and 2014<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/fulham/10395031/Oxford-University-v-Cambridge-University-varsity-match-set-to-return-to-Fulhams-Craven-Cottage.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/fulham/10395031/Oxford-University-v-Cambridge-University-varsity-match-set-to-return-to-Fulhams-Craven-Cottage.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Oxford University v Cambridge University varsity match set to return to Fulham's Craven Cottage | first=Henry | last=Winter |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|location=London |date=21 October 2013|access-date=20 November 2013}}{{cbignore}}</ref> as well as having a [[Soccer Aid]] warm-up match in 2006.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-previews/soccer-aid-626142 |title=Soccer Aid | first=Jane | last=Simon |newspaper=Daily Mirror |date=23 May 2006|access-date=20 November 2013}}</ref> The half-time entertainment includes the SW6ers<ref>{{cite web |url=http://cafcbois.blogspot.co.uk/2006/04/match-report-fulham-2-1-charlton.html |title=Match Report: Fulham 2–1 Charlton | first=James | last=Da Lion |publisher=CAFC Bois |date=15 April 2006|access-date=20 November 2013}}</ref> (previously called The Cravenettes<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2001/december/03/monday-s-media |title=Re-print of reports of Fulham 0–0 Leeds United on Fulham official website |newspaper=[[The Times]] |date=3 December 2001|access-date=20 November 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/jjwillow/3218040453/in/photostream/ |title=The Cravenettes | first=John | last=Willoghby |publisher=Flickr |date=1 January 2006|access-date=20 November 2013}}</ref>) which are a group of female cheerleaders. Other events have included brass bands, [[Michael Jackson]] (although just walking on the pitch, as opposed to performing),<ref>{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ByyajPOy2Ag| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211124/ByyajPOy2Ag| archive-date=2021-11-24 | url-status=live|title=Michael Jackson at Fulham football ground|date=25 November 2010|via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref> [[Travis (band)|Travis]] playing, Arabic dancing, [[keepie uppie]] professionals and presentational awards. Most games also feature the 'Fulham flutter', a half-time draw;<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2007/april/17/text-for-fulham-flutter |title=Text for Fulham Flutter |publisher=Fulham F.C. |date=17 April 2007|access-date=20 November 2013}}</ref> and a shoot-out competition of some kind,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fulhamfc.com/help/faq/stadium-experience |title=Stadium Experience |publisher=Fulham F.C. |access-date=20 November 2013 |archive-date=14 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131014080623/http://www.fulhamfc.com/help/faq/stadium-experience |url-status=dead }}</ref> usually involving scoring through a 'hoop' or 'beat the goalie'. On the first home game of the season, there is a carnival where Fulham fans are encouraged to attend in black-and-white colours.{{fact|date=March 2025}}

The revived [[Fulham F.C. Women]] and reserve teams occasionally play home matches at the Cottage. Other than this, they generally play at the club's training ground at [[Motspur Park]]. Craven Cottage is known by several affectionate nicknames from fans, including: The (River) Cottage,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/sport/football/clubs/fulham/article2301454.ece |title=Return to river Cottage key to Coleman's home comfort | first=Nick | last=Szczepanik |newspaper=[[The Times]] |date=21 August 2004|access-date=20 November 2013}}{{subscription required}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/fulham-1-stoke-0-relief-at-the-cottage-as-late-darren-bent-strike-lifts-martin-jols-men-out-of-the-drop-zone-8861070.html |title=Fulham 1 Stoke 0: Relief at the Cottage as late Darren Bent strike lifts Martin Jol's men out of the drop zone | first=Giuseppe | last=Muro |newspaper=Evening Standard|location=London |date=5 October 2013|access-date=20 November 2013}}</ref> The Fortress (or Fortress Fulham),<ref name="Fortress" /> Thameside, The Friendly Confines, SW6, Lord of the Banks, The House of Hope, The Pavilion of Perfection, The 'True' [[Fulham Palace]] and The Palatial Home. The Thames at the banks of the Cottage is often referred to as 'Old Father'<ref>{{cite web |url=http://clockenders.com/afc/?p=6616 |title=FULHAM 2 V 2 ARSENAL |first=Aussie |last=Jack |publisher=Clockenders |access-date=20 November 2013 |archive-date=10 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150610220910/http://clockenders.com/afc/?p=6616 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=196960 |title=Fulham 2 Hamburg 1 |first=Andrew |last=Joyce |publisher=Vital Football |date=30 April 2010 |access-date=20 November 2013 |archive-date=20 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130320062407/http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=196960 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://walsall.web-fans.com/2009/05/the-darlo-saddler-blogs-issue-no-29/ |title=The 'Darlo Saddler' Blogs – Issue No. 29 |first=Darlo |last=Saddler |publisher=Walsall Web-Fans |date=23 May 2009 |access-date=20 November 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20131120213056/http://walsall.web-fans.com/2009/05/the-darlo-saddler-blogs-issue-no-29/ |archive-date=20 November 2013 }}</ref> or [[The River of Dreams]].

The most accessible route to the ground is to walk through Bishops Park from [[Putney Bridge tube station|Putney Bridge]] (the nearest Underground station),<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fulhamfc.com/help/faq/travelling-to-the-game |title=Travelling to the Game |publisher=Fulham F.C. |access-date=21 November 2013}}</ref> often known as 'The Green Mile' by Fulham fans (as it is roughly a mile walk through pleasant greenery).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://youdontknowjackfrombordeaux.wordpress.com/2013/05/12/judgment-day-finding-my-premier-league-club-in-london/ |title=Judgment Day: Finding my Premier League Club in London |publisher=You Don't Know Jack from Bordeaux |date=12 May 2013|access-date=21 November 2013}}</ref> In 2016 ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'' ranked the Cottage 9th out of 54 grounds to hold Premier League football.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/11767726/Ranking-all-54-stadiums-in-Premier-League-history.html?frame=3390163 |date=10 May 2016 |title=Ranking all 54 stadiums in Premier League history – where does Upton Park feature? |newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|location=London}}</ref>