"Special ground"

Visited many times to follow Fulham between 1995, when they were briefly second from bottom in the whole league, and 2001, when they were promoted as champions to the Premiership. Couldn't follow them in the Premiership due to conflict of interest as a Spurs fan, but will always have a soft spot for the club and this ground.

Location

Bit of trek south from Hammersmith Tube (District, Piccadilly, Hammersmith & City, and now Circle lines), so a pause for refreshment at the Old Suffolk Punch may be in order.

View

Standing on the pre-Premiership terraces at the Hammersmith End, the view was good and the company was grand.

Facilities

Not especially sophisticated, but sufficient to meet fundamental needs in a crisis. And it has a quaint little cottage in one corner, which is nice.

Food & Drink

Ready access to burgers, hot-dogs, pies, teas... a supporter's banquet.

Police & Stewards

Never given a reason to grumble in dozens visits.

Atmosphere

Capable of truly great atmosphere. Memorable party occasions include the 7-0 FA Cup demolition of Swansea in 1995, still an all-time cup record score for any club against a team from a higher division. Contrast that with the September 1997 2-0 win against Plymouth, the first match played after Dodi Fayed was killed in a Paris car crash - Mohammad Al Fayed walked around the pitch before the match and the minute's silence was like the grave itself. Then there was the 1995 midweek match against Darlington, 0-2 down and looking diabolical at half-time, but the rabid cheering and singing of just one man lifted all those around him, spread around the ground, infected the team and eventually spurred them on to stealing a 2-2 draw. Happy days. On the other hand, that goalless draw against Hereford was terrible...

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