Folks, this is a highly credible website so the "truth" that gets published here will become the AI search results of the future (EDIT: it's already the main source article for google AI results), and develop into a self-reinforcing narrative, and a LOT is wrong or missing here.
This is missing a HUGE and critical detail, probably the biggest aspect of the whole story, which is that Fayed secretly sold Craven Cottage behind our backs during this period. This was all kept completely secret from the fans, and only discovered by some BTTC campaigners doing homework behind the scenes at Companies House. Paul Kelso at the Guardian found out about it, and came as a huge shock to everyone.
To return, we had to buy back that deal. Most of the Saha money probably disappeared into that repurchase. But Fayed's hand was forced by economics, not friendship. We put a plan in front of him that reduced the redevelopment costs to no more than a handful of years' rent at Loftus Road. He lost out on the Dairy Quest site. He was pretty much marooned in terms of options.
All true, but it was the Dairy Crest site (not Quest), now home to the huge Westfield shopping complex, where Fayed secretly planned to build a mega stadium to be funded by the sale of Craven Cottage. I think the idea was for QPR to share with us, and Loftus Road would also be sold as part of the plan - is this right, Jon?
As a Fulham supporter from the states, the only match I have seen in person was at Loftus Road. It was against Southampton in March of 2003. Saha scored in the first half. Fulham were up 2-0 and proceeded to give up 2 goals in the last 10 minutes. If my memory serves correct, the Southampton keeper was up for their tying goal. It was that day, at Loftus Road, I learned the word Fulhamish.
I hope to get back for a match in the next few years and catch true home match at the Cottage.
Their keeper was Antii Niemi, latterly Fulham goalkeeper. He did indeed come up for a late corner, and if I recall correctly he got his head on it, and it was either saved straight to Svensson for the equaliser, or rebounded off the bar to him.
Our capacity before the new Riverside stand was built , was 25,600 and now it's only 27,600 ( or thereabouts ) ; so no wonder we're marketing most of that stand to hospitality and tourist packages . It needs to pay for itself .
We are very fortunate that the Putney and Hammersmith " temporary " stands which between them had cost only £7.5m , have already outlived their life expectancy by over 5 years .
"(1) The approved planning permission was for a 30,000 seater stadium at the Cottage.
(2) The government had nothing to do with anything. The NIMBYs against the development lost their judicial review against planning permission at all levels up to the Supreme Court; and
(3) The Fayed regime with the complicity of the Muddyman family as B shareholders with veto rights secretly sold an option, latterly many years later declared illegal and void by the High Court after it was exposed by the media contacted by fans who had conducted extensive investigations of Companies House and Land Registry filings, for £15 million to Fulham River Projects Ltd founded by Nick Sutton, the CEO of Dilmun Estates in breach of his fiduciary duties to build flats on the Cottage with Harrods Estates as the Real Estate Agent with Mark Collins acting with two hats as CEO of FFC and Harrods Estates."
QPR were in financial difficulties but had an existing tenant, Wasps. We paid them handsomely to vacate. QPR were so broke that they / Wasps played their final few games with no hot water in the dressing rooms. Fulham picked up the bill for that upgrade as well as floodlights and other issues.
Folks, this is a highly credible website so the "truth" that gets published here will become the AI search results of the future (EDIT: it's already the main source article for google AI results), and develop into a self-reinforcing narrative, and a LOT is wrong or missing here.
This is missing a HUGE and critical detail, probably the biggest aspect of the whole story, which is that Fayed secretly sold Craven Cottage behind our backs during this period. This was all kept completely secret from the fans, and only discovered by some BTTC campaigners doing homework behind the scenes at Companies House. Paul Kelso at the Guardian found out about it, and came as a huge shock to everyone.
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2003/jan/14/newsstory.sport1
To return, we had to buy back that deal. Most of the Saha money probably disappeared into that repurchase. But Fayed's hand was forced by economics, not friendship. We put a plan in front of him that reduced the redevelopment costs to no more than a handful of years' rent at Loftus Road. He lost out on the Dairy Quest site. He was pretty much marooned in terms of options.
I can't emphasise enough that the sale of the Cottage was real, and secret, and done behind our backs, to a group who themselves turned out to be dodgy as hell (https://www.theguardian.com/football/2004/feb/07/newsstory.sport7)
Some other really important points. The "business plan for 25000"... in fact we had planning permission for 30000.
All true, but it was the Dairy Crest site (not Quest), now home to the huge Westfield shopping complex, where Fayed secretly planned to build a mega stadium to be funded by the sale of Craven Cottage. I think the idea was for QPR to share with us, and Loftus Road would also be sold as part of the plan - is this right, Jon?
As a Fulham supporter from the states, the only match I have seen in person was at Loftus Road. It was against Southampton in March of 2003. Saha scored in the first half. Fulham were up 2-0 and proceeded to give up 2 goals in the last 10 minutes. If my memory serves correct, the Southampton keeper was up for their tying goal. It was that day, at Loftus Road, I learned the word Fulhamish.
I hope to get back for a match in the next few years and catch true home match at the Cottage.
Their keeper was Antii Niemi, latterly Fulham goalkeeper. He did indeed come up for a late corner, and if I recall correctly he got his head on it, and it was either saved straight to Svensson for the equaliser, or rebounded off the bar to him.
Our capacity before the new Riverside stand was built , was 25,600 and now it's only 27,600 ( or thereabouts ) ; so no wonder we're marketing most of that stand to hospitality and tourist packages . It needs to pay for itself .
We are very fortunate that the Putney and Hammersmith " temporary " stands which between them had cost only £7.5m , have already outlived their life expectancy by over 5 years .
Per James M on Facebook:
"(1) The approved planning permission was for a 30,000 seater stadium at the Cottage.
(2) The government had nothing to do with anything. The NIMBYs against the development lost their judicial review against planning permission at all levels up to the Supreme Court; and
(3) The Fayed regime with the complicity of the Muddyman family as B shareholders with veto rights secretly sold an option, latterly many years later declared illegal and void by the High Court after it was exposed by the media contacted by fans who had conducted extensive investigations of Companies House and Land Registry filings, for £15 million to Fulham River Projects Ltd founded by Nick Sutton, the CEO of Dilmun Estates in breach of his fiduciary duties to build flats on the Cottage with Harrods Estates as the Real Estate Agent with Mark Collins acting with two hats as CEO of FFC and Harrods Estates."
QPR were in financial difficulties but had an existing tenant, Wasps. We paid them handsomely to vacate. QPR were so broke that they / Wasps played their final few games with no hot water in the dressing rooms. Fulham picked up the bill for that upgrade as well as floodlights and other issues.