Fulham owner Shahid Khan has reaffirmed his plans to expand Craven Cottage following his failed bid to buy Wembley Stadium.
The businessman used his programme notes ahead of tomorrow’s match with AFC Bournemouth to confirm the Riverside Stand of the ground will be renovated, report Football.London.
Khan’s bid to buy the national stadium caused much debate amongst the footballing world, with some believing it would be beneficial for grassroots football while others claiming the FA should hold on to the iconic stadium.
Eventually the 68-year-old, who also owns the NFL outfit the Jacksonville Jaguars, withdrew his proposal due to the severity of the concerns raised.
Were Khan to be successful in purchasing Wembley, former Fulham assistant director of football Craig Kline was quoted as saying the club would move to the national stadium and Craven Cottage would be sold for housing.
However, Khan has refuted those claims and reiterated his commitment to keeping the Cottage at the heart of the club.
In a lengthy statement, he said:
It’s a good reminder for me, and hopefully, longtime Fulham supporters, that we should never take for granted the treasure we have here at Craven Cottage. It’s why we will see through the renovation of the Riverside Stand, with work targeted to begin in May so this remarkable venue will continue to serve generations of Fulham supporters and football fans in general while also providing spectacular new amenities for the neighbourhood.
We are currently speaking with potential partners who will bring the Riverside Stand to life, with plans calling for a café, leisure and exercise facilities, roof garden and other features based on the council’s guidance that the new Riverside Stand must deliver amenities for residents and families on non-matchdays.
Already we have been approached by celebrity chefs and Michelin-star restaurateurs to ensure such an experience, and we are close to appointing a contractor so that when it’s time to commence work, we will be ready. I wanted to touch on this early in my notes to once again emphasise to the Fulham community that I am committed to the renovation of the Riverside Stand and therefore a future for Craven Cottage as our traditional, spiritual and hallowed home ground.
Fulham host AFC Bournemouth tomorrow, with boss Slavisa Jokanovic coming under increasing pressure as his team sit 18th after nine matches.
