Fulham supporters have renewed calls for licensed safe standing at Craven Cottage after the club informed 10 season ticket holders they would be required to move seats ahead of the next season to address persistent standing in the Hammersmith End.
What happened
The club wrote to a small group of season ticket holders explaining that seat moves were necessary to reduce persistent standing in the vocal stand behind the goal. Those letters followed what the club describes as extensive discussions with the Sports Ground Safety Authority and Hammersmith & Fulham Council. One supporter who was told his seat would change was subsequently informed that additional stewards would be positioned in the area vacated.
Supporters’ Trust response
The Fulham Supporters’ Trust (FST) said the measures will not resolve the underlying issue and reiterated its campaign for a licensed safe standing option at Craven Cottage. The trust pointed to its own research showing the majority of respondents favour safe standing and said it will continue to press the club to find an appropriate solution, while acknowledging the practical difficulties posed by the stadium’s layout.
“The Fulham Supporters’ Trust support safe standing in principle. We also accept safe standing is not for everyone so there needs to be a balance to cater for all requirements,”
Local context and implications
Craven Cottage is unusual among Premier League grounds because it does not currently offer any licensed safe standing areas; Fulham are reported to be the only top-flight club in that position this summer. Nearby Selhurst Park will introduce a safe standing section for away supporters ahead of the 2026/27 season, highlighting the divergent approaches clubs are taking to accommodate vocal, standing fans while meeting safety standards.
- 10 season ticket holders told they must move seats
- 68.8% of respondents in the FST’s 2025 survey said they supported safe standing
- Discussions involved the Sports Ground Safety Authority and Hammersmith & Fulham Council
Survey results and practical considerations
The FST’s 2025 survey found clear backing among those who took part for a licensed standing option, though the trust accepts safe standing will not suit every supporter. It also noted the particular challenges of implementing changes at Craven Cottage because of the ground’s age and distinctive terraces.
| Item | Figure |
|---|---|
| Season ticket holders asked to move | 10 |
| Support for safe standing (FST survey, 2025) | 68.8% |
For residents and local matchgoers, any change to seating arrangements carries practical implications, from altered entry and exit flows at matchday to the deployment of more stewards in affected areas. Hammersmith & Fulham Council’s involvement indicates local authorities are engaged in ensuring spectator safety while balancing supporter behaviour and stadium operations.
The Fulham Supporters’ Trust has said it will continue to press the club to prioritise a solution that caters for both those who wish to stand and those who prefer to sit. With Crystal Palace planning a licensed away-end standing area this season, the debate over how best to manage standing in top-flight stadia is likely to continue locally and nationally.
InfoRadar will continue to monitor developments at Craven Cottage and report any further statements from the club, the Sports Ground Safety Authority or Hammersmith & Fulham Council.
