LONDON IRISH have welcomed a decision by Hounslow Council to allow the new Brentford Community Stadium to be used for rugby.
“The Council's decision last night (February 9) is very encouraging news for London Irish and is a further step towards a return to our roots in London,” London Irish CEO Bob Casey said today.
“The ability for a professional rugby club to also play at the new Brentford Community Stadium has always been a desire of the football club. London Irish share common values and a community ethos with Brentford FC which augers well for a future commercial relationship,” he added.
In October 2016 London Irish submitted an application to play at Brentford FC’s new ground, which is due to be built at Lionel Road.
The groundshare proposal would bring the rugby club, which currently plays at the Madejski Stadium in Reading, back into the capital.
The football club has planning permission to build a new 20,000-capacity stadium at the Lionel Road site and hope to start the build this year.
“We now look forward to taking our discussions with Brentford FC to the next stage so that all can look forward to the stadium's completion and opening by the 2019/2020 season,” Mr Casey added.
