I noticed the cameras in the JH stand as well and wondered whether they were something to do with the introduction of goalline technology. For general match coverage, they only usually show the action from one side of the pitch (or behind the goal for replays) because swapping from one touchline to the other makes it harder to tell which team is kicking which way. MOTD was facing the JH as per usual, so I assumed the new ones were Hawkeye-related.
The camera has been positioned there because the TV people, as part of the new deal, insisted on getting dug out shots. The Club emailed season ticket holders in the sections of the Johnny Haynes directly affected the day before the match informing them about the 'new TV gantry'. This is a typical view they now get: please log in to view this image I'm not sure what the actual email said but papers reported: "A Premier League spokesman said: “We introduced new rules regarding the number and position of cameras. There are clearly always going to be issues at a ground like Craven Cottage; a fantastic old ground. It has limitations that the new owner [Shahid Khan] is trying to address.” A Fulham spokesperson said: “To adhere to the broadcast regulations imposed by the Premier League we had to find a credible solution for a camera position that was a requirement. We understand it may have caused some issues for supporters and we will look to deal with those individuals to find a solution.” Well the solution should have been NOT to position it there or as a gantry. If it's only to get mug shots of the managers antics then surely a remote controlled camera in the underside of the roof would do the job. This really is an atrocious, ill thought out and shortsighted (no pun intended) decision by the Club. Yet again the paying fan suffers at the hands of the TV moguls. PS So far as I know it's intended to leave it as it is even when our games are not televised, which isn't that often! Absolutely ludicrous!
I am surprised that at this age we need a cameraman sitting there. All what they had to do is to have the camera and remotely controlled from somewhere else in the ground. The camera could be elevated and out of sight...
