The only time FFC will go to Ukraine and I cant make it....

Hi All,

I also wanted to introduce myself. My name is Joe Bednarek and I grew up in the Indianapolis area (though my parents are also from the Chicagoland area: Chicago Heights and Hammond). Like a lot of newer fans, I adopted Fulham in 2004 during the Bocanegra and McBride days. At the time I was studying for my master's in Eurasian studies, and I used to watch Fulham on Fox Soccer Channel while translating Russian texts on Saturdays and Sundays. Watching Fulham or at least the EPL highlights on Sunday night with Bobby McMahon helped keep me sane. I was actually on this site regularly about a year ago but recently re-registered. The crazy thing is, I am actually living in Ukraine at the moment. I was here as a Peace Corps Volunteer from 1999-2001 and then came back in 2007 to work on student exchange programs. I live in Kyiv but I have traveled to Donetsk several times for work. Unfortunately, I stupidly scheduled interviews next week for one of our exchange programs, so I can't skip work and head to Donetsk. I haven't been to Donetsk since they opened the new stadium last summer, but I know the center well, so if anyone happens to be traveling there I can make some restaurant and hotel recommendations. The city is surrounded by coal mines (hence the name of the team: "Shakhtar", meaning "miner"), and the city is fairly Soviet-looking, but the center is easy to get around (the Soviets loved big, wide streets...better to drive tanks down in parades) and is interesting, even in the slush of late winter. However, the good news is that I am making my first trip to Craven Cottage in two weeks (if I can buy tickets on Monday!) for the FA cup tie. In Ukraine we have a 3-day weekend from March 6-8 because of International Women's Day (an old Soviet holiday), so I am using the chance to hop on a direct flight from Kyiv to Luton. I know people ask this all the time....but any recs on hotels and B & B's and pubs nearby would be appreciated. I don't mind spending a few extra bucks to be close to CC because I'll only have about 48 hours in London, and half of that time will be dedicated to game day activities. I was looking at the Premier Inn near Putney Bridge which looks a bit overpriced but super close. And it looks to be just next door to the Golden Lion which, from the messageboard, seems to be a FFC pub. Any thoughts?

 

RE: The only time FFC will go to Ukraine and I cant make it.

Welcome back to the site.

Bummer on the timing of those interviews. Never stayed in the Fulham area for a game, but the Premier Inn is, as you note, super close. You don't have to to stay in Fulham as the tube is super easy to use so you could expand your options.

Can't go wrong with the Lion. It will be full of Fulham fans. There are a couple more near the station and the Premier Inn, usually more full of away fans, will likely be especially true if the Spurs get through. Coming from the Hammersmith side is the Crabtree which is nice. Again, full of Fulham fans on gameday.

I am trying to talk my lady into going to going to that game, if so, always willing to meet up with folks for a drink beforehand.

 

Welcome back Joe and thanks for the info on Shakhtar.

 

Welcome back Joseph. The atmosphere for the quarterfinal at the Cottage will be electric. Like Don said the FoF site will have many suggestions, and in turn their will be more traveling fans that could use your expertise.