It was always a bit of a holiday going to Fulham in the 70's and 80's as opposed to the likes of Spurs, Chelsea, Millwall, etc. I only remember a half time punch up, underneath the away terraces when that end used to be split 50/50. We had some good days out there with decent pubs around Putney Bridge like the Temperance, our default. In more recent times we met up there with Dave Ashfield, author of Relentless Misery the Sunderland book, who was in there with his sons. He was also there with dozens of home made pies, stotties and roll mop herrings for the lads ... it all sent the police sniffer dogs into a bit of a frenzy Thinking back brings up other visits with Jimmy Hill, Marangoni and the Boat Race going past springing to mind ... ... I'm gutted I can't make it this time but hope everyone going sees some more great Sunderland goals, enjoys being in more great away support and sings all the way home, safe journey and enjoy the day.
Last time I was at Craven Cottage was the Baxter era, it was a Bank holiday Easter weekend. Down on a John Tennick coach, got there early enough to go to Highbury in the afternoon ( our KO was 7.30)....Arsenal were playing Liverpool and John Toshack scored a great header from an Arsenal corner but it was in his own net. Our match was a typical Sunderland game went a goal down, Baxter turned the game after HT and we went 2-1 up only to lose 3-2 late on. Coaches didn't leave til 11pm which left enough time for a group of us to be set on by the Fulham faithful, before it got out of hand a bigger group of Chelsea fans came to our rescue and waited with us til the coaches turned up ( can you imagine that happening in the days Chelsea had a bad reputation). Hope all goes well for those attending just hope Reggie doesn't allow the lads to underestimate Fulham.
