LONDON Irish's proposed switch from Reading to Brentford moved a step closer last night.

Hounslow Borough Council has approved a change of planning permission at Brentford's proposed new stadium from football to multi-sport use.

The decision effectively gives London Irish the green light to relocate from the Madejski Stadium, which they groundshare with Reading FC, to West London.


The Exiles submitted a formal application to play at the 20,000-capacity Brentford Community Stadium back in October,

The club – who sit top of the Greene King IPA Championship table – have been playing at Madejski Stadium since 2000.

Their contract to groundshare at the Madejski does not expire until 2025/26, but it is thought Reading will allow them early release from the deal.

London Irish chief executive, Bob Casey, confirmed: “The Council's decision last night (9th February) is very encouraging news for London Irish and is a further step towards a return to our roots in London.

“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. 

“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.”

Brentford FC, currently based at Griffin Park, have secured compulsory purchase orders for some sections of land on the new Lionel Road site and construction is expected to commence in 2017.

The news of Irish's likely departure from the town has been welcomed by many Reading FC fans who believe heavy traffic from football and rugby is ruining the quality of the Madejski Stadium pitch.

Even Royals boss Jaap Stam recently claimed the poor surface makes it difficult for players to carry out his possession-based style of football, insisting the pitch must be relaid this summer at a cost of around £1m.

London Irish remain on course for promotion back to the Aviva Premiership after picking up their 14th straight league win with a nine-try 60-14 demolition of Nottingham at the Madejski Stadium last weekend.

Exiles now have a two-week break from action before they welcome play-off chasing London Scottish to the Madejski on Saturday, February 25.