BRENTFORD NOT COMING NEXT SEASON

from the Ealing Times 22 January 2004

by James Webb

BRENTFORD director John McGlashan says the club has not ruled out the possibility of playing their home games at Loftus Road.

The club has denied reports in a newspaper that representatives of the two clubs have already met but McGlashan admitted that Brentford may have to groundshare until their new stadium in Lionel Road becomes available.

He said: "There are no plans for us to move to Loftus Road but I would not rule it out.

"We might need to raise some capital. We might need to move out. It's not what we want to do but there's a possibility that we might have to groundshare somewhere."

Brentford are still looking for backing from a developing partner and admit that it might be three to five years before they can move into their new ground. McGlashan said that they may need to share a ground for one or two seasons but emphasised that there were no plans to move next season.

He said: "That's not on the agenda at all."

Earlier this week, Brentford released a statement, denying reports that they had met with representatives from QPR.

The statement read: "The boards of both Brentford FC and Bees United wish to state they have no plans to meet with representatives of Queens Park Rangers regarding proposals for a groundsharing or stadium ownership arrangement at Loftus Road."

The club's hopes of moving to Lionel Road were given a boost this week when London mayor Ken Livingstone gave the plan his backing.

McGlashan said: "The planning procedure requires that a development of this type goes to the mayor's office. That's why it's important for us to get his support."

QPR chief executive David Davies was contacted by the Ealing Times but refused to comment.

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