The Fulham Alliance, which for the past three years has actively opposed the renovation and expansion of Craven Cottage, has managed to raise more than £1.5 million to fund their fight against Fulham’s plans to redevelop their historic home. This money will be used for a possible legal dispute that may become an expensive affair for the losing party.
It is fascinating that a small, but dedicated, group of people has managed to disrupt a multi-million dollar industry like modern football. These nine wealthy individuals call themselves the Fulham Alliance and they are all residents within the immediate vicinity of Craven Cottage. Their main argument is based on Fulham cannot cope with the temporary visitors on match days. They believe that there will be traffic chaos in the area, local traffic cannot cope with the onslaught of matchgoing fans.
I understand their views, but if you compare the situation with the areas around Highbury and White Hart Lane, these arenas are the same size as our new stadium will be and they are both located in densely populated areas. Sure, it’s crowded on match days, but in to – admittedly biased – eyes that’s a big part of of the allure. A lot of people, crowded, lots of people dressed in the beautiful black and white suit, scarves, pubs that “buzz” with anticipation etc (I think you know what I mean). The most ridiculous part of the argument is that the Cottage has been there longer than most of these residents and it can’t exactly be a revelation that lot of supporters walk through their streets when Fulham are playing at home. Sure, the attendance figures have gone up drastically in recent years and will continue to do so with a new nice stadium and hopefully a long era in Premier League, but even this cannot come as a shock – all clubs are investing upwards, right?
Then there is the financial part. One can only guess how much money Fulham and top-flight football indirectly contributes to the local infrastructure during a season? Beer sales, parking fees, tobacco, newspapers, petrol, food, hotel accommodation etc. – You name it! Since we can only estimate, it is difficult to say whether this outweighs the logistical problems that can occur 2-3 times per two-week period during the season. However, if we take into account a low average of home games, say 20,000 people, and these spend £10 on average on top of their ticket cost, the football club indirectly contributes £3.6 million to the local business community. JUST over 55 million Swedish kronor per season! Show me the restaurateur, tobacconist or gas station manager who won’t want to a piece of this. A large portion of this money also heads to Hammersmith and Fulham Council in the form of taxes.
The unfortunate thing is that the club’s actions might now mirror the Alliance’s objectives. The club are now looking at alternative locations within “the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham”. It would be devastating for the club’s roots if London’s oldest professional football club is forced from our geographical origin. Fulham have already become participants in a bidding war for land near Shepherd’s Bush – which coincidentally is just a few a short work from Loftus Road, the home of our bitter rivals and current landlord, Queens Park Rangers.
The authorities are likely to respond within two months to the Alliance’s latest campaign manoeuvre. The opponents of the Cottage redevelopment plan have already disclosed that, if they lose, they are willing to take the matter before the European Courts of Justice to annul the planning permission. Whatever happens, it is essential that this saga doesn’t drag on too long. Fulham want to start their new era at their old home, called Craven Cottage, and located on Stevenage Road in SW6. But as long as the authorities have not made a decision, construction cannot begin.
So here we go
Fulham football
By the river
Here to stay.
Here to stay
Here forever
Fulham football We’re on our way.
We were under a cloud
We were under the cosh
We were down but we’re bouncing back
With Mohammed ?s black and white dosh.
Excerpt from Chris Guard’s “Here to Stay”
