Changing Room Chat: Fulham fan liaison man is pub trip hero

FULHAM have won the Unsung Hero award from VisitEngland and the Premier League for their supporter liaison officer, Tommy Guthrie, whose party piece is to take visitors for a pint at the local boozer.

Guthrie was praised for his work at Fulham – including taking foreign supporters clubs to a pub next to Craven Cottage when they visit – with the judges saying: “He may see it as his job but the level of detail from Tommy is something that should be singled out and applauded.”

Arsenal have been named the Club of the Year, while Liverpool and Manchester City have also picked up gongs in other categories in the VisitFootball awards.

Top-flight clubs have been monitored for customer service for the past two seasons and a panel of industry experts voted Arsenal the club of the year for their “simply outstanding service”. City received the Best Fan Innovation awards for their City Square and Family Stand projects, while Liverpool’s stewards won the club the Warmest Welcome award.

All 20 Premiership clubs were judged across eight areas including ticketing, stewarding, catering, toilets and the club shop.