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Fulham will share Loftus Road next season while their new stadium is built |
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Fulham and QPR will share Loftus Road next season while Craven Cottage is being
redeveloped, the two clubs have finally confirmed.
Jean Tigana's team will play at the 19,148-capacity stadium close to their own
ground in west London throughout the 2002-03 campaign.
They will then return to Craven Cottage, which will have been transformed into
an all-seater arena accommodating 30,000 fans.
Rugby union side Wasps must now finalise their plans to leave Loftus Road, which
Fulham will pay a reported fee of about £1m to share for nine months.
The agreement - which could be extended for a further year if building work is
not completed on time - will mean London Wasps being paid more than £300,000
to move out, with Wycombe's Adams Park a potential new location, and a more secure
future for QPR.
The Second Division club is in administration and a fee of up to £1 million,
paid by Fulham, will help balance its books and make the club more attractive
to potential buyers.
The conclusion of the deal should be good news for both sets of supporters and
therefore help approval from Football League and Premier League.
Some delay to the redevelopment is expected if the Fulham Alliance, a small group
of residents opposed to the redevelopment of Craven Cottage, appeal against a
High Court decision against them.
The appeal could delay the formal issuing of planning permission to Fulham. A
High Court judge will rule on the validity of the Alliance’s appeal near
the end of February.
Fulham Football Club's Chairman, Mohamed Al Fayed, commented:
"I am delighted that we have now secured a temporary home within the
borough and we will be working hard with our supporters and other parties during
the coming months to ensure a smooth transition. Both Fulham and QPR will be arranging
a series of forums to meet members of the local community to discuss the new arrangements.
I am personally very pleased that we are able to offer help to QPR through what
is a very difficult time in the club's history, the survival of local clubs steeped
in tradition is of paramount importance to me."
Queens Park Rangers Football Club comment:
Following negotiations last week, the Directors of Queens Park Rangers Football
Club are pleased to announce that they have exchanged contracts on a deal that
will see Fulham play at Loftus Road for the 2002/2003 season.
Loftus Road plc Chief Executive David Davies said: "We are very pleased to
announce this deal which will bring much needed revenue into the company and will
make QPR a more attractive proposition to a potential buyer. A lot of hard work
has gone into this deal and I'd like to thank all the staff for their efforts.