DAIRY CREST SITE DEAR TO AL FAYED'S HEART
Last night the Fulham Supporters Trust "Back To The Cottage" held its AGM.
Representatives from Fulham FC attended the meeting to answer questions, and
Back to the Cottage today issued a report of what was said. Here are the bits
that affect QPR.
"Attendees from the Club were Andy Ambler, Chester Stern, Lee Hoos and Sarah
Brookes.
Andy Ambler completed the intro by updating us with the situation currently
with the Cottage. He said that planning permission had been applied for for a
22,000 all seater stadium with a roof on the Putney end and an extension to
the Hammersmith end roof, along with seating added to the enclosure. The Club
are still speaking to Arena seating over
corporate facilities etc. Also some enabling work is currently being done at
the Putney end. The whole project needs to be completed by July 2004 in order
to stage some pre-season matches and gain the safety certificate.
Q: Is there any prospect of a longer stay at the Cottage and any going back to
the original 28,000 plans?
A: (Andy Ambler) Any more than 3 years is not the right way to approach it (
Longer stay not totally ruled out though) and any less than 3 years is not
financially viable to do. Once we are back we will discuss longer tenancy only
if this is appropriate. The original 28,000 plans will not be revisited as the
costs are still prohibitive and the 150 people allowed on non match days
within it is too restrictive.
Q: Any further developments with the Dairy Crest site?
A: (Chester Stern) No further offers have been made at the moment. The
Chairman does see the future in a modern all seater that may not be possible
at Craven Cottage, his vision is for Fulham FC to be self-sustaining. The
Dairy Crest site idea is dear to his heart.
Q: If we struggle to fill 18,000 at Loftus Road, what makes it a
sensible decision to try for a larger ground in the W12 area?
A: (Chester Stern) It's the realism versus ambition struggle. If
realism dictates that we can't sustain a 35,000 ground then the chairman may
take this into account. The Club is still committed to staying within the
borough, but sees importance in non-match day revenue.
Q: Surely the lead time for a return to Craven Cottage is not enough given the
appeal process?
A: (Andy Ambler) Not able to answer due to the forthcoming events and possible
opposition to the plans. (Lee Hoos) Backed up Andy Ambler by saying that the
Club didn't want to open the subject up to the public.
Q: If planning permission for the Cottage next season isn't gained early
enough, is there an alternative ground the Club can play at?
A: (Andy Ambler) The Club were not going to and couldn't afford to fail on
this issue. Again they couldn't elaborate at risk of compromising their
position.
Q: Have the Club done any market research about filling a large ground in the
W12 area?
A: (Chester Stern) Stated that the alternative revenue streams such as a
Casino, Hotel and retail outlets make it less crucial to fill the stadium up,
so it wasn't a big problem if few fans attended matches.
Q: If the Dairy Crest site comes off, how much profit does the Club stand to
make on the Cottage?
A: (Chester Stern) Nothing, as any sale would need to be linked in to the
purchase of another stadium within the borough - so proceeds would go into
that development. The profit margins would not be huge due to the affordable
housing that needs to be incorporated on the site.
BTTC footnote - If Loftus Road was sold in conjunction with the sale of the
Cottage for housing then a deal may be possible to use the that ground for
affordable housing in an attempt to get the council to compromise on the
amount of luxury flats that could be put on the Craven Cottage site. Obviously
QPR and Fulham would then groundshare at White City."