Fulham need to move and not stay in a cottage, maybe share with the neighbours?
Sixteen years ago Fulham football club was bought by an Egyptian businessman called Mohamed Al-Fayed for a bargain price of just over six million pounds! The aim was a simple one; to take the club to the Premiership. Indeed the owner was once quoted as saying, 'We will be the Manchester United of the South!' A bold statement and one that hasn't quite come true but today Fulham are a well established club in the top league of English football.
The owner backed up his pledge to bring the top players and Managers to Craven Cottage; Kevin Keegan and Jean Tigana to name but two. They worked their way up the Leagues until they got to the top table.Three years ago they got to the Europa Cup Final, only to lose to Atletico Madrid.
The question has to be; just how far can Fulham go?
In this modern day of football it is all about getting bigger and better and that includes the stadium. Craven Cottage is an old ground that needs some serious work done on it or they can move to another site. The only reason I write that is because there is this thing called the River Thames that stops them from extending unless they become a water polo side!
The business plan at the club has worked very well and the club are one of the only ones that are debt free in the Premiership. Im sure Mr Fayed could either use his own money or find backers for a new ground but again there is a problem; where is big enough in South West London to build such a place?
The thing is the club just down the road from them, Chelsea, are also looking for a new ground. So why doesn't the owner of Fulham meet up with Mr Abramovich, owner of the European Champions, and put money jointly into a stadium?
If it works for teams in other countries then why not in London? We all know the price of land in the Capital of England is sky high but selling Stamford Bridge and Craven Cottage would surely cover a lot of the costs.
As Mr Al-Fayed wants his club to be like Manchester United then the ground will have to hold at least seventy five thousand people, just like Old Trafford! I'm sure Mr Abramovich would like that number as well.
The question still remains as to where the ground would be and would the Chelsea owner agree to having a statue of Michael Jackson in it?
As a business plan it's a great idea but many fans will feel like they've had a kick in the balls.