#QPR-#Fulham Ground Sharing Reports: Flashback OTD 1999

Three Years later...2002


Evening Standard -04 February 2002
Fulham sign QPR groundshare deal

Fulham will play their home games at English second division side Queens Park Rangers next season, the clubs said on Monday.

The deal, which is subject to Football League and Premier League approval, will help ease QPR's cash crisis as Fulham lodge at their Loftus Road ground next season for a fee.The west London clubs' groundshare deal means rugby union side Wasps will have to quit lodging at Loftus Road with QPR.

Fulham needed to move out of Craven Cottage next season while the ground has a 70 million pounds redevelopment and owner Mohamed Al Fayed wanted to keep the club close to their home.

"I am delighted that we have now secured a temporary home within the borough and we will be working hard with our supporters and other parties during the coming months to ensure a smooth transition," Al Fayed said in a join statement from the two clubs.

He added: "Both Fulham and QPR will be arranging a series of forums to meet members of the local community to discuss the new arrangements.

"I am personally very pleased that we are able to offer help to QPR through what is a very difficult time in the club's history. The survival of local clubs steeped in tradition is of paramount importance to me."

Wasps hope to agree a groundshare deal with QPR's second division rivals Wycombe Wanderers, or they could share with London rugby rivals Harlequins, a spokesperson told Reuters.

www.standard.co.uk/sport/fulham-sign-qpr-groundshare-deal-6318384.html


BBC

Monday, 4 February, 2002, 13:42

Fulham will share QPR's ground from next season
QPR and Fulham will share Loftus Road next season while Craven Cottage is being redeveloped, the two clubs have finally confirmed.
Jean Tigana's team will play at the 19,148-capacity stadium close to their own ground in west London throughout the 2002-03 campaign


I am delighted that we have secured a temporary home within the borough
Fulham chairman Mohamed Al Fayed
They will then return to Craven Cottage, which will have been transformed into an all-seater arena accommodating 30,000 fans.

Rugby union side Wasps must now finalise their plans to leave Loftus Road, which Fulham will pay a reported fee of about £1m to share for nine months.

Wasps, who are being paid a reported fee of £300,000 to move out of Loftus Road, have been in talks over a new home with Division Two side Wycombe Wanderers and rugby union rivals Harlequins.

Fulham chairman Mohamed Al Fayed said: "I am delighted that we have secured a temporary home within the borough."

Loftus Road plc chief executive David Davies said: "We are very pleased to announce this deal, which will bring much needed revenue into the company.

"It will make QPR a more attractive proposition to a potential buyer," he added.

news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/1800444.stm

Bump