Residents living near Bishop's Park are concerned that an increase in capacity at Fulham Football Club could ruin their peaceful park.

However, others said they were enthusiastic about plans for a river walk promised by Fulham FC at the SW6 Lounge in Craven Cottage on October 24.

Discussions at the legendary stadium became heated as the Fulham Football Club presented to residents its plans to expand seating capacity.

The club proposed to increase stadium and seating capacity to 30,000- an increase from the 25,000 capacity the stadium now holds.

Plans to achieve this goal include the addition of 4,000 new seats by removing executive boxes.

Other proposals include opening of the riverside walk at the back of the stadium to the public, the restoration of all turnstiles and allocating £1 million to rejuvenating Bishop's Park.

"We are a consistently successful football club and we aim to serve the football club and its supporters," said Fulham Football Club's managing director, David McNally to a full room of community members.

Although general support for the proposed plans was shared amongst the meeting's attendants, concerns were raised over the impact an increased capacity would have to Bishop's Park as matches let out.

"This has been an issue for many years," stated Janet Harris, who has lived in the area for 22 years. "This beautiful park will be ruined forever and we want people to understand this."

Residents asked the football club to rethink the placement of exit gates that would direct supporters through the park and criticized the amount it planned to allocate to the rejuvenation of the park.

"The £1million is all we can afford. We have to be self-sustainable. It would be foolish to provide a figure we cannot afford," responded Mr McNally, who also emphasized that the park would only be affected by the outflow of fans for 23 days in the year.

"I am very supportive of these plans- especially the river walk," said Rachel Hilton, who has been proud of the grounds for the 15 years she has lived in the area. "It will improve and enhance [the stadium] and provide better amenities."

On match days, Craven Cottage employs 700 people- something that the football club hopes to increase.

"We want to create more jobs for community members," said Mr McNally, who further added that the proposed expansion plans are part of an incremental scheme to ensure the survival of the club's business.

Fulham FC is in its seventh Premier League season and currently is in 15th position clear of the relegation zone.

Emma Sadowski