Fulham reveal Craven Cottage extension plans

Last updated : 08 October 2011 By Daily Mail

The stadium has been the Whites' home since 1896 and currently holds 25,700 after several refurbishment projects over the past decade and Fulham insist they intend to stay at a redeveloped Craven Cottage.

'Fulham has seen unprecedented success both on and off the pitch in recent years, and is now an established Barclays Premier League club, qualifying for European competitions and accommodating over 25,000 people on a regular basis,' said Fulham chief executive Alastair Mackintosh.

Staying put: Fulham insist they have no plans to relocate from their Craven Cottage home

'We are confident that a redevelopment will improve the fans matchday experience, and enhance our corporate offering, whilst remaining sympathetic to the design of this historic ground.

'Naturally our core family values, and the tradition of the football club, continue to be at the forefront of everything we do.

'This investment at Craven Cottage demonstrates yet again the chairman's continued ambition to see the club prosper and grow and to continue to compete at this level for many years to come.

'We are still in the very early stages of the planning process and will be holding a public exhibition in mid-October, where we would very much welcome people's thoughts on our initial ideas.'

Home sweet home: Craven Cottage has been Fulham's ground since 1896

Fulham revealed they are looking at ways to develop the Riverside Stand in order to increase the stadium's capacity up to 30,000.

The venue would also be subject to wider facility improvements and, as part of the consultation process, the club will begin speaking to residents, supporters and other interested groups from next week.

Fulham thought they had played their last match at Craven Cottage at the end of the 2001-02 campaign, spending the following season at QPR's Loftus Road with the intention of starting out a new stadium a year later.

Opposition to the proposal put paid to the process and spiralling costs eventually resulted in the Whites aborting plans for a new home.Instead, the club invested money in refurbishment work to increase Craven Cottage's capacity to 25,700, while upgrading facilities.

Building for the future: Fulham chairman Mohamed Al Fayed is continuing his investment at the Barclays Premier League club

Recent reports suggested Fulham have reignited their search for a new ground in west London and would be vying with neighbours QPR and Chelsea for suitable plots.

QPR chief executive officer Philip Beard said on Thursday that the club are looking to leave Loftus Road for a new stadium, preferably in the Shepherd's Bush area.

Chelsea have also hit the headlines as they consider stadium options.

The Blues this week made an offer to Chelsea Pitch Owners - most of whose shareholders are fans - for the stadium's freehold in what has been seen as a precursor to a move to a new 60,000-seater ground.

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Source: Daily Mail

Source: Daily Mail