Brentford Dismiss Loftus Road Ground Share Speculation
Saying they intend to play at Griffin Park if promoted to the Premier League
Brentford FC have categorically dismissed suggestions in a newspaper that they are considering a ground share with QPR next season if they win promotion to the Premier League.
The Evening Standard reported today that the club could consider using their local rival's stadium at Loftus Road in Shepherd's Bush as an alternative to their own ground.
A spokesperson for Brentford FC told us, “It is the intention of Brentford Football Club to play Premier League games at Griffin Park next season if we win promotion.”
Griffin Park
However, club chief executive Mark Devlin said this week in an interview with BBC Radio that they have an 'in principle' agreement with another club if they do need a ground share.
Griffin Park, which has a capacity below 13,000, requires a substantial upgrade to meet the standards of the top division including becoming all-seater. In addition the changing rooms and media areas are too small and the floodlighting is insufficient. The lack of undersoil heating would also need to be rectified.
They already have notified the Premier League of their plans which are believed to involve a £3 million upgrade of Griffin Park to make it an all-seater stadium.
The best case scenario for Brentford is that they would need the stadium for two seasons after which they would hope to move into their new 20,000 capacity stadium which has been designed to meet premier league standards.
The planning permission for the redevelopment of Griffin Park stipulates that Brentford are not allowed to proceed until a new stadium is ready for occupation so it is unclear whether promotion would enable them to knock down the stadium they have occupied since 1904.
Before they can get into a Premier League they must negotiate a two-leg play off against 4th placed team Middlesbrough with the first match on Friday, May 8, at Griffin Park kicking off at 7.45pm.
The return leg will be at the Riverside stadium on Saturday, May 16 at 12.15pm. The winner will play a one off final against the winner of the other play off at Wembley on May 25 kicking off at 3pm.
May 8, 2015