The Conservative group on Hammersmith & Fulham Council have announced they are happy for Fulham Football Club to return to their historic Craven Cottage stadium. This news has been warmly welcomed by Fulham fans campaigning for a return to Craven Cottage, following a recent meeting between the two organisations.

The Conservative group has unanimously agreed a policy position which states that they would "be happy for Fulham Football Club to return to Craven Cottage, its historic home," and asserts opposition to "any housing or similar development scheme at Craven Cottage."

The local Tories also make clear that they are against any groundshare at Stamford Bridge, or any long-term sharing arrangement with QPR at Loftus Road.

Greg Hands, Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Hammersmith & Fulham, said: "Until the move to Loftus Road, I was a Fulham season ticket holder. I believe Fulham should return to Craven Cottage - it has been the Club's home for more than a century, and it is where they belong. There is no reason why temporary seating, which would enable the Club to meet its obligations to the Taylor Report, could not be relatively easily installed. I want to see the Club and local residents existing side by side."

Following a meeting between Back to the Cottage and representatives of the local Conservatives, Tom Greatrex of Back to the Cottage said: "We warmly welcome the stance of the local Conservatives. It sends a very powerful message to Fulham Football Club that, regardless of political persuasion, local councillors want to see Fulham back at Craven Cottage and are opposed to housing development on the site. The Club should recognise this, and announce plans to return to Craven Cottage for 2004/05 as soon as possible."

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

1. 1. Back to the Cottage is the campaign name for the recently formed Fulham Supporters' Trust. For more information on the campaign, visit and bookmark our site at www.BacktotheCottage.com