Fulham owner Shahid Khan has pledged to lead the club back into the Premier League and given his backing to manager Kit Symons.

The 64 year old billionaire businessman said: “I am here for the long haul. Fulham is a great club and I want to see us back where we belong”.

After going through three managers in the first year of running the club,Khan was positive in his support of Symons. Fulham lost 2-1 to Blackburn on Saturday.

“He would shed blood for the club. Fulham is his passion and he has brought that to his job and to the players”,he said.

Mr Khan said he had been in close touch with the London club during the transfer window.

“I normally speak with my people at least once a week but It has been much more regular contact over the last month,” he said.

But Mr Khan explained why there was no massive spending spree. He remains a firm believer in building a club which develops its’ own players rather than bringing in highly paid mercenaries.

“I want the club to be sustainable. To make it financially secure is a key to long term success,”he said.

One way of increasing spending power for the club will be by overhauling its’ Craven Cottage home.

“We already have some permits to re-develop the ground”, said Mr Khan.

“We are continuing to look for the further permits we need. Football clubs must offer the facilities people expect in 2015,”he added.

Speaking at the Super Bowl in Arizona, Mr Khan,who also owns the NFL team the Jacksonville Jaguars, said he had no regrets about his involvement in the English game.

“The passion of the fans is fantastic. I am very positive about Fulham and I am determined to get us back to the top flight,” he said.