QPR Confirm 'Early Talks' about Moving to Site of Linford Christie Stadium
Club looks at alternatives to plans for new stadium at Old Oak
Queens Park Rangers Chief Executive Lee Hoos has confirmed that the club are considering the possibility of building a new stadium on the site of the Linford Christie Stadium in Du Cane Road on the edge of Wormwood Scrubs.
The club say they are assessing alternatives to their plans for a stadium at Old Oak, following delays to the proposed regeneration of the area. These plans had been at the centre of a long running feud with Cargiant boss Tony Mendes, who owns the land where QPR were hoping to build.
Though QPR emphasise that the idea "is at a very early stage" they have already held informal talks with Hammersmith & Fulham Council about moving to the Linford Christie Stadium, which is currently used by the Thames Valley Harriers athletics club.
Thames Valley Harriers chairman Tim Dye has also confirmed that the athletics club has involved in the early stage discussions with QPR and Hammersmith & Fulham council.
Lee Hoos said: "We are looking at all possible options to secure the future of the club in Hammersmith & Fulham and benefit the community.
"A potential partnership with an athletics club such as Thames Valley Harriers to create a new community stadium - and an adjacent athletics track - could bring huge benefits to both clubs, as well as to the local community that is our home."
He added: "Before putting forward any formal proposal for a new community stadium we would consult fans, local residents, schools, charities and others to see how best we could achieve those aims."
On their website, Thames Valley Harriers say the idea of a multi-sports facility "makes sense".
The club says: " The club’s Linford Christie Stadium at Wormwood Scrubs is now in a sorry state of repair. Over the past two years, the club’s management has been seeking partners to help finance the multi-million pound level of investment required.
" A partnership with a local sports club like QPR, whose community trust already works closely with TVH, makes sense and is certainly worthy of close consideration."
QPR's current home, Loftus Road holds just 18,000 people and the club were hoping to build a 40,000 capacity stadium on a 40 acre site at Old Oak.
However, Cargiant's Tony Mendes has his own plans for a development on the site, to be called Old Oak Park - and he has repeatedly stated that he will not allow a stadium to be built on the site.
In the letter sent to fans last year, he said: " I can confirm that neither Cargiant, nor our development partner London & Regional Properties, are in any discussions with QPR and that we will not enter into any such discussions or agreements with the Club in any way, shape or form. "
You can read the letter in full here.
February 15, 2017
