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Fulham close to playing at Fulham Broadway

last updated Monday 10th February 2003, 10:56 AM
Fulham are close to securing a groundshare with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge which could start as early as next season.

The clubs have agreed a rolling one-year deal, though they still need planning permission which could delay the move.

Fulham close to playing at Fulham Broadway
Fulham close to playing at Fulham Broadway
An application to Hammersmith and Fulham Council to change restrictions which prevent Stamford Bridge becoming a home for more than one team should be made this week. If successful, Mohamed Fayed's club could move in with Chelsea while they search for a new site of their own.

Their historic home of Craven Cottage has been provisionally sold to a housing developer for £50 million and, this season, they are playing at Queens Park Rangers' Loftus Road ground.

A Fulham spokesman said: "We think there is a good chance of getting a groundshare with Chelsea and we are aiming for next season."

Fulham have a month in which to tell QPR whether they want to continue to groundshare with them next season. If planning permission to share at Stamford Bridge is not granted before that deadline, Fulham will stay where they are for another year and move in with Chelsea in 2004.

Talks about such a move broke down earlier this season because Chelsea, as revealed by Standard Sport, wanted a permanent deal with Fayed buying into the club.

But Fulham prefer the facilities at Stamford Bridge to those at Loftus Road and Chelsea will welcome the annual fee they will earn of at least £1m.
Source Evening Standard by Leo Spall
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