Craven Cottage facts for kids
Craven Cottage is a famous football stadium located in the Hammersmith area of London, England. It is the home ground of Fulham F.C., a professional football club. The stadium gets its name from a small cottage that once stood on the land where the stadium was built. It's known for its unique location right next to the River Thames.
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What is Craven Cottage?
Craven Cottage is one of the oldest and most historic football stadiums in England. It has been the home of Fulham Football Club since 1905. Before that, the club played at several other grounds. The stadium is famous for its traditional design and its close connection to the River Thames, which runs along one side of the ground.
Early Days and Design
The land where Craven Cottage stands was once a royal hunting lodge. Later, a cottage was built there in 1780 by William Craven, the sixth Baron Craven. This cottage was eventually destroyed by fire in 1888.
Fulham Football Club moved to the site in 1905. They hired a famous stadium architect named Archibald Leitch to design much of the stadium. Leitch designed many football grounds across the United Kingdom. His work at Craven Cottage included the iconic Johnny Haynes Stand.
Key Parts of the Stadium
Craven Cottage has several distinct stands, each with its own character.
The Johnny Haynes Stand
The Johnny Haynes Stand is the most famous part of Craven Cottage. It is named after Johnny Haynes, who was Fulham's most legendary player. He played for the club from 1952 to 1970 and is often called "The Maestro." This stand is a Grade II listed building, which means it's protected because of its historical importance. It has a distinctive triangular gable roof.
The Riverside Stand
This stand runs along the River Thames. It offers unique views of the river during matches. Recently, this stand has been redeveloped to offer modern facilities and increase the stadium's capacity. The new design aims to blend the stadium with its riverside setting.
The Hammersmith End
The Hammersmith End, often called the "Hammy End," is where many of Fulham's passionate fans gather. It's known for its lively atmosphere and loud support for the team.
The Putney End
The Putney End is opposite the Hammersmith End. It often houses away fans, but also has a section for home supporters. Part of this stand is sometimes called 'Little Switzerland' due to its unique shape and seating arrangement.
Beyond Football
While Craven Cottage is primarily a football stadium, it has hosted other events too. It was one of the venues for the 1948 Summer Olympics in London, hosting some of the football matches. It has also been used for rugby league games and other sporting events.
The stadium is not just important for sports. It's a significant landmark in the Hammersmith area of London. Its traditional design and riverside location make it a special place for many people, not just football fans.
Images for kids
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Aerial view of Craven Cottage on the banks of the River Thames as of 2010.
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The 'Rabbit Hutch' stand along Stevenage Road before Archibald Leitch's redesign in 1904-5
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The façade of the Johnny Haynes stand
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Johnny Haynes, Fulham's most famous player, in his classic 'hand-on-hip' pose, outside the stand named after him
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Craven Cottage before the implementation of the Taylor report.
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The historic triangular gable on top of the Haynes stand, one of the few extant at British grounds
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The Hammy End
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The 'Little Switzerland' section of the Putney End seen in the background during an Australia vs New Zealand friendly in 2005
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The Johnny Haynes stand at Craven Cottage, is a Grade II listed building.
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Internal look of the stand, with a montage of Johnny Haynes
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The Pavilion from outside the stadium
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View of the Riverside during the 2011 UEFA Women's Champions League Final
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Michael Jackson statue at Craven Cottage
See also
In Spanish: Craven Cottage para niños
