Scared to take a cottage soccer fans will have heard of (6)

I believe the answer is:

craven

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'have heard of' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both people as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps there's a link between them I don't understand?

I don't understand how the rest of the clue works.

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(Other definitions for craven that I've seen before include "Mean-spirited" , "Abjectly fearful" , "Chicken" , "Cowardly - Yorkshire area" , "Without backbone" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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