Back to the Cottage - The Fulham Supporters' Trust

Unless otherwise indicated, the information set out below was provided to the Court in the case of (1) Crown Dilmun (2) Dilmun Investments Limited (Claimants) -v- (1) Nicholas Sutton (2) Fulham River Projects Limited (Defendants) heard in the Chancery Division of the High Court in November/December 2003.

Name	Role
Bahrain International Bank	Ultimate parent company of Crown Dilmun. In financial difficulties during 2002, which meant the amount available to Crown Dilmun at this time for investment was restricted.
Collins, Mark	Managing Director, Harrods Estates during negotiation of FRP deal and director of Fulham FC. Served as Acting MD following departure of Michael Fiddy in 2001. He describes himself on the official club website as "Having been a Fulham fan for over 30 years (I first started coming to Craven Cottage during the 1971/72 season with my brother), I have been a regular in the Enclosure and the Riverside Stand enjoying the highs and lows of Fulham's unfolding story. As an employee of Harrods Estates, I was fortunate enough to be part of the team that facilitated the Chairman's acquisition of the Club in 1997. So as you can see Fulham Football Club is something that is very close to my heart, both personally and professionally."
Crown Dilmun	UK property developers whose ultimate parent is the Bahrain International Bank. Worked with Harrods Estates on the Depository project. Website: http://www.crown-dilmun.co.uk/
Forsters Solicitors	Solicitors to Crown Dilmun and subsequently to Nicholas Sutton. Partner Sophie Hamilton created Fulham River Projects and served as Secretary to the Board of the Company until 27 February 2004. Website: http://www.forsters.co.uk/
Fulham River Projects	Company created by Nicholas Sutton (49% owned) and Mark Steinberg (51% owned) to conclude deal to acquire Craven Cottage. The High Court heard in the recent case concerning this company, that FRP had been structured so as to maximise confidentiality and ensure that Fulham fans would not know who was behind this entity.
Fulham Stadium Limited	Entity in Fulham group of companies which owns the freehold of Craven Cottage and enters into agreement with Fulham River Projects.
Hamilton, Sophie	Senior Partner at Forsters solicitors who was centrally involved in the negotiation of FRP deal. She gave evidence at FRP court case. The trial judge's comments about her evidence included "I find her evidence incredible…. She was, in my opinion, completely reckless in considering Mr Sutton's actions"
Harrods Estates	Estate agency and management services company and part of Harrods Group. Personnel from Harrods Estates led negotiation to conclude FRP deal. Website: http://www.harrodsestates.com/
Harrods Holdings Limited	Parent company of Harrods Group that was a signatory to FRP deal and guarantees repayment of funds owed to FRP by Fulham Stadium Limited.
Irish Nationwide Building Society	Provided £15m deposit monies for FRP to provide to Fulham. This fund is secured by virtue of a mortgage on Craven Cottage. Under the terms of the Fee Agreement dated 18th September 2002 between Irish Nationwide and FRP, INW is entitled to a fee of 25% of any net profit. Not the same entity as the Nationwide Building Society operating in the UK. Website: http://www.inbs.ie/
Ottoman Homes Limited	Company used by Nicholas Sutton to invest in Fulham River Projects, in which he and his wife are directors.
Steinberg, Mark	Major property developer via City & General property company that is in turn a subsidiary of Marcol Property Group. Marcol control high-profile assets including Thavies Inn House in Holborn, Seymour Mews House near Oxford Street, a 40% interest in Chelsea Harbour, as well as properties in Salford Quays, Manchester, and a 75% interest in the Frenson Estate in Liverpool. Also owns (singular or freehold to Watford's Vicarage Road stadium. Mark Steinberg had done two previous deals with Nicholas Sutton.
Sutton, Nicholas	Managing Director of Crown Dilmun during negotiation of FRP deal and remained in this position until leaving in November 2002. Employed since 4th October 1994 originally as an Assistant Director but subsequently as a Director. 49% shareholder in Fulham River Projects via his company Ottoman Homes. He was described as being well known in the property world, enjoying a high reputation and being voted Young Property Personality for 2002. In the Judgement dated 23 January 2004 Mr Justice Peter Smith commented "Mr Sutton as I have already observed was demonstrated to have lied on a significant number of occasions…I am firmly of the view that Mr Sutton told lies…. It is a sorry story. Mr Sutton has to my mind repeatedly told lies"
Worldmade Limited	Company through which Mr Mark Neil Steinberg, a Mr Steven Collins and a Mr Terence Cole invested in FRP. Mr Cole and Mr Steinberg have been established together in the property business for approximately twenty-five years and have created a substantial property investment and development group. They have known Mr Sutton since 2001. Worldmade lent FRP £1.7m to finance its initial costs.