Fulham fans demand answers from Club on stadium future

Back To The Cottage Press Release - 18/12/02

Fulham fans' organisation, BacktotheCottage.com, have today demanded that Fulham Football Club come clean over their intentions for the historic Craven Cottage site. The call comes after the House of Lords last week rejected the final appeal of nine residents against redevelopment of the existing stadium.

The group, a campaigning body established and supported by the independent Fulham Supporters' Club and other fans organisations, are asking Fulham FC to explain why they are not keeping to their pre-season promise to return Fulham to a redeveloped Craven Cottage.

Tom Greatrex, of BacktotheCottage.com, said: "After last week's ruling from the House of Lords, the silence from the Club has been deafening. It is not surprising that many fans are now extremely concerned for the future of Craven Cottage when, despite legal objections being overcome, the Club have made no positive statement about proceeding with a development for which they have planning permission in place. Instead, they have made vague reference to other alternatives that leave many fans worried that Fulham FC will never play in Fulham again."

He added: "There are a number of questions that it is imperative Fulham Football Club now answer.

  • why has there been no announcement that work on the new stadium will begin?

  • why has the recently departed, highly respected New Stadium Director, not been replaced?

  • on what basis has the viability of the new stadium suddenly been called into question?

  • why has the consultants report, which Fulham Managing Director Bruce Langham cites as justification for a 38,000 stadium, not been made available to fans?

  • given the absence of alternative sites in Fulham, what are the "other alternatives"?

  • will the Club guarantee there will be no permanent groundshare at Loftus Road, Stamford Bridge or elsewhere?

  • do the Club stand by their earlier commitment that Fulham will not play outside the Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham?

    • "We are calling on Fulham Football Club to come clean. The failure to keep fans informed is leading to the growing impression amongst fans that the Club is about to break its promise that Fulham FC will return to a redeveloped stadium on the Craven Cottage site."

    ENDS