Fulham have confirmed their main Riverside Stand will be demolished this summer as work begins on redeveloping Craven Cottage.
Owner Shahid Khan is pressing ahead with the rebuild of the old ground despite the club being relegated from the Premier League.
Fulham have appointed lead contractors in the Buckingham Group to start demolishing and then developing the Riverside Stand.
It means the London club will now definitely be staying in their home on the bank of the River Thames.
The stand will be closed for the next two seasons but is expected to be complete in time for the start of the 2021/22 campaign.
Fulham FC statement
The Club has today signed an agreement with lead contractor Buckingham Group Contracting Ltd, for the demolition and development of the Riverside Stand, commencing this summer.
The new stand will not only increase the seating capacity at Craven Cottage but also enhance amenities to the ground and locality for supporters, residents and visitors to enjoy.
Designed by architect Populous, the development boasts a transformation of the riverside walkway into a world class leisure destination; a pathway that will allow an uninterrupted walk along the banks of the River Thames between Hammersmith and Putney Bridges and a choice of amenities for visitors to enjoy throughout the year.
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| Fulham Riverside Stand |
Supporters will experience best-in-class offerings, with the stand incorporating contemporary designs and state of the art concourses and hospitality lounges on matchdays.
The design of the Riverside Stand is sympathetic to Fulham Football Club’s location, the glorious River Thames and the environment.
Importantly, the Riverside development reaffirms Craven Cottage as the home of Fulham Football Club, both for now and future generations.
Throughout the two-year build, there will be ongoing consultation with key stakeholders, and regular updates on the progress of the development will be made available.
Fulham FC Chairman Shahid Khan said: “I am delighted to now be able to formally announce that our work on the Riverside Stand development will begin in earnest this summer.
“I understand today’s announcement was many years in the making, but the right thing for all parties was to be deliberate, collaborative and thorough.
I thank our supporters for their patience, and am especially grateful to all those who have worked tremendously hard behind the scenes to bring us to this point.
The wait will be worth it.
“I would also like to extend my gratitude to Councillor Stephen Cowan, Leader of the London borough of Hammersmith & Fulham, who has bent over backwards to make this happen.
“Craven Cottage is a unique and inspiring venue to not only play football, but to visit.
As I noted upon becoming Chairman in 2013, it has always been my intention to follow through with the development of the Riverside Stand, and today’s news brings that intention to reality.
“Make no mistake, the Riverside development will be a location like no other, a real game-changer for Fulham Football Club, our neighbourhood, and all of London.
Our aim is to create a world-class destination for fans and guests to experience and enjoy, whilst retaining the charm that Craven Cottage exudes within our very own section of the River Thames.
In doing so, we will also safeguard the Club’s future at Craven Cottage, forever the rightful home for Fulham.
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Everyone associated with Fulham Football Club is very much looking forward to this exciting project.