Fulham plan to increase capacity

Fulham have announced plans to increase the capacity of Craven Cottage by 4000 seats.

The club have approached Hammersmith & Fulham Council who are now consulting local residents and amenity groups before feeding back comments to the club.

H&F Council Leader, Councillor Stephen Greenhalgh, said: “The council has been approached by Fulham Football Club who want to secure their long-term future at Craven Cottage and to ensure that a positive package of proposals is put forward.

“We have been interested to listen to what they have had to say but the most important people here are the local residents and voices need to be heard and any concerns addressed.”

Fulham are proposing to increase capacity in the Riverside Stand by removing the executive boxes.

They also want to open the riverside walk to the public, except on match days, and fully restore the listed turnstiles.

The club will also provide £1m in funding to help council plans to rejuvenate Bishop’s Park.

Greenhalgh concluded: “There will be ample opportunity for residents, local groups and interested parties to discuss the proposals as they currently stand and for the council to feed back suggestions and concerns to the football club before any formal application.”

However, if Fulham does put in a formal planning application then additional public consultation will be carried out.

Mohamed Al Fayed, Chairman of Fulham Football Club, said: “Craven Cottage is synonymous with Fulham FC and it is vital that the club is given every opportunity to develop the facilities available, to enable it to remain at its’ home.

“I am confident that an increased capacity and further improvements to the facilities can help us reach and maintain our business objectives.”

Fulham midfielder Simon Davies believes his career is back on track after a difficult spell at Everton.

Davies has been one of Fulham’s most consistent performers this season but the former Tottenham midfielder was pleased to get away from Goodison Park where his career stalled.

Davies admitted: “I didn’t enjoy it at Everton and I was delighted to get back down to Fulham. Just playing every week gives you confidence.

“I’ve got on the score-sheet a few times and hopefully I can get on a bit more. When I was younger I used to score a lot more so it’s obviously something I’m aiming to do because if the midfielders can score goals it takes the pressure off the strikers.

“All the new signings have done well. David Healy is a good finisher; when he gets a chance he’s clinical. Steve Davis in midfield is a really neat and tidy player so I like playing with him.

“Since I’ve been here the competition for places has increased hugely. Everyone has somebody who can come in and do a job instead of them and that’s healthy.

“The manager has definitely set out where he wants to take the club and the club have backed him which shows what they think of him.

“This club is definitely on the up. Everyone needs to stay in the league now. Clubs have spent so much money that whoever doesn’t could be in trouble.

“The club are backing the manager and he wants to take us as far as we can go. Everyone is behind him and it’s a young squad so hopefully we can stay together for a few years and you never know what we can achieve.”