Fulham's future is still uncertain

The club announced its intention to submit a planning application to Hammersmith and Fulham Council as soon as possible for temporary building works to commence.

The Premiership side have been ground-sharing with London neighbours QPR over the last two seasons while they search for a new home.

Fulham chairman Mohamed Al Fayed told the club's website: "I am delighted to take this step towards fulfilling the fans' dearest wish to take us home, albeit temporarily.

"Like all Fulham fans I was bitterly disappointed when our plans to build a state-of-the-art stadium on the Craven Cottage site became impossible to achieve.

"I still believe that if we are to fulfil our long-term dreams of making Fulham a major force in football we need a larger stadium than it is possible to erect at the Cottage.

I am doing everything that I can to find a commercially viable long-term solution Mohamed Al Fayed

"I continue to be entirely dedicated to working towards that end.

"If planning permission is granted and this all works out I will of course keep my promise to those who have supported us at Loftus Road through the purchase of season tickets by giving them seating preferences back at the Cottage.

"I am doing everything that I can to find a commercially viable long-term solution."

Fulham have stressed that returning to the ground, which has been their home since 1896, is only a temporary measure and their long-term future lies elsewhere.

The club plan to refurbish the Cottage to bring the capacity up to 22,000.

In order to meet Premier League requirements they will put seating on the terraces in front of the Stevenage Road stand and at the Putney and Hammersmith ends of the ground.

Fulham left Craven Cottage in May 2002 to share with QPR while their stadium was redeveloped into a 30,000 all-seater.

We will be actively working to help repair the relationship between club and fans Fulham Supporters' Trust chairman Tom Greatrex

But the plans were delayed by legal action from a group of residents and the redevelopment has now been deemed unworkable.

The club has opted to pursue a plot of land within the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham to build a new stadium but have so far been unable to do so.

Their deal with QPR expires at the end of this season and discussions with Chelsea to share their Stamford Bridge ground broke down in April.

Fulham Supporters' Trust chairman Tom Greatrex welcomed the latest announcement.

"All Fulham fans will be delighted at the news that we are set to return to Craven Cottage in time for the start of the 2004-05 season," he said.

"We congratulate Mohamed Al Fayed on his decision to take us home to the historic riverside ground we have regularly filled in the Premiership.

"As a trust, we will be actively working to help repair the relationship between club and fans, and hope to maintain a meaningful dialogue with the club."