Cash-strapped Fulham will have to find the funds to pay a £100,000 bill from their Craven Cottage landlords because of the spiralling costs of the public enquiry into their historic home, according to the Fulham Chronicle.
The Fulham board have told fans that they have to pay the bill by the end of October because the Department of the Environment’s enquiry into their redevelopment plans means they cannot avoid a deferred rent payment from 1993. The deal with the Royal Bank of Scotland saved Fulham’s immediate future at the Cottage having committed the club to nominal fee for two years as the board restructured the Cottagers’ historic debts.
The club board believed they could find a backer to finance the next stage of their ground redevelopment plans but they are unable to conclude any financial arrangements with the government enquiry overrunning. The development emerged during a meeting of a new ‘Save Craven Cottage Action Group’ last weekend, which was attended by Fulham directors Andy Muddyman and Tom Wilson.
Fulham 2000 chairman Melvin Tanner told the Chronicle:
“Before a finger is raised to challenge the enquiry, the directors have to raise £200,000. We spent a long time in the meeting considering ways of raising public awareness and money. We have to face the fact that we needs funds more than ever before. If Fulham fans are as yet unaware of the seriousness of the moment, let me emphasise how critical the situation is.”
Fans are encouraged to donate to the Fulham 2000 appeal by sending cheques to Fulham 2000, FREEPOST W14 OBR.
