The Queens Park Rangers Supporters Trust, QPR 1st, has voiced its concern over recent developments at Fulham, who are currently contracted to groundshare at Loftus Road with an option until the end of next season.
Trust Chairman David Price said: “The current groundshare arrangement means that, whether we like it or not, the future of Fulham Football Club is now inextricably linked with that of Queens Park Rangers.
“One of the key aims of QPR 1st is to support the development of Queens Park Rangers, independently, at our own ground. As such, we fully support the efforts of Fulham supporters to secure their own future at their own stadium.
“QPR’s Chief Executive, David Davies, told us recently that our board has so far not had talks with its Fulham counterparts about future plans for groundsharing at Loftus Road. These issues are now so definitively linked to the respective health of the two clubs that we urge Mr Davies and the QPR board to engage in proper consultation with supporters groups before making any decisions that may have serious implications for both teams.
“There are some complex issues involved here – not least because of the current financial benefit that QPR gain from having Fulham as tenants. To help everyone involved gauge the mood of our support, we are therefore about to survey our members’ views on current and possible future groundshare arrangements. The results will be presented to Mr Davies and we hope that the board will take heed of what QPR supporters say.
“Whilst we retain a healthy local rivalry, supporters of QPR and Fulham have always stood together when there has been a threat to our future or independence. We’re absolutely convinced that, should the need arise, those supporters will do so again.”
Representatives from QPR 1st will be attending Back to the Cottage’s public meeting at Hammersmith Town Hall on January 30.