No signings moaners had to take a day off yesterday as Charlton signed two free agents, Welsh defender Tom Lockyer and striker Chuks Aneke, formerly with MK Dons: New signings
Former Bristol Rovers captain and fans'favourite Lockyer was over the moon at meeting Lee Bowyer, hanging on every word he said: Lockyer deal
A Bristol Rovers fan has said on Twitter that Lockyer is the best centre back they have had for 20 years and deserves the chance to prove himself at a higher level.
Jonny Williams is to join Charlton for their warm weather training camp in Spain (hot rather than warm): Williams accepts invite
This does not mean that the popular player will sign for Charlton, but it does mean that the door is still open for a deal.
No surprise that the bookies see Charlton as relegation favourites (along with Millwall): Going down
For all the skills of Lee Bowyer and Johnnie Jackson, there are limits to what they can do with a threadbare squad and an owner who didn't want to go up and isn't prepared to recruit players of Championship standard. It's effectively a Premier League Division Two.
Watching Rotherham's games last season they played some good football but often ended up losing, or conceding victory, by the odd goal late in the game. Charlton's prospects could be transformed by a well-funded takeover, but there is no positive news on that at the moment.
However, Richard Cawley has just tweeted that there may be some good news on the signing front today.
Charlton could not offer enough to tempt 24-year old midfielder Reuben Lameiras to join them: Bowyer gives his verdict
Joe Aribo's move to Rangers has been confirmed. In a widely praised statement on Twitter he thanked everyone who has helped him at Charlton.
Given all the controversies that have arisen about new rules and their interpretation by the referees and VAR in the women's world cup, has the time come for the fan-assisted referee system? It is being tried out in the Isles of Scilly league which is now being sponsored by Vodafone: 5G rollout
5G’s unique characteristics will allow anyone with a compatible smartphone to become a remote assistant referee. Whether they are socialising at the local Scillonian Club, broadcasting live on air with Radio Scilly or on a boat in the harbour, locals who are not pitch-side can review disputed penalties, goals or red cards and deliver their verdict instantly back to the match official.
Don't forget that you can hear my weekly broadcast on Radio Scilly shortly after 9.30 a.m. on Saturday (although I now have to focus on Truro City and Argyle).
Roland's sidekick Lieven de Turck was absent from last night's Fans Forum as he was involved in negotiations to sell the club. Three parties are said to be actively involved in discussions. It was ever thus. If Roland insists on complicated clauses, negotiations are bound to be prolonged.
There is an update from the Forum on the club website. It is not much of an update, but fuller notes will be published eventually: Update
It is now claimed that getting promoted has made the club more difficult to sell: 'The large costs around owning a Championship football club are a barrier for sale. The average Championship club loses around £15m a year which is not sustainable, each season ticket holder costs the clubs approximately £1,000.'
Nevertheless, there are owners who are willing to take a punt on such losses in the hope of recouping them in the Premier League, if only through parachute payments after one season in the top flight.
One is left wondering what the point of the meeting was. If there is not a takeover by the start of the season, there will be a special meeting. Clearly it would be desirable to conclude a sale as soon as possible, but I cannot see any taxation reasons why a sale should be delayed until July 1st as some have claimed.
If anyone was interested in having Jay DaSilva back (and I know he divides opinion) he has signed a permanent deal at Bristol City: DaSilva
I note increasing concern about the size of the squad. The material date is 3rd August not June 26th. If there is no takeover, we will get some loan players for our relegation battle - loan players always come late. If there is a takeover, there should be some money to spend. Either way, it's out of our hands but let's show some faith in Lee Bowyer.
Patrick Bauer tells the northern press why he joined Preston North End instead of Blackburn Rovers. However, the interesting part for us is that he implies Charlton lack ambition, which under Roland Rat is certainly the case, despite Lee Bowyer's motivational and decision-making skills: Why I joined Preston
It should be remembered that Preston are a founder member of the Football League, have a well-regarded manager and have been seen as play off challengers in recent seasons, even if they tend to fade towards the end of the campaign.
Tariqe Fosu is join 'Gobby' at Oxford, reports Richard Cawley of the SLP
The news has been received calmly in SE7. At one time he seemed to promise so much.
Richard Cawley has tweeted that because we offered him a deal we will receive compensation.
It has been reported that the club has been targeting a big name signing who might be available in a few weeks' time. However, a spokesman dismissed the idea as 'an inverted pyramid of piffle.'
Charlton fans can expect to see former player of the year Jordan Cousins early in the new season playing for Stoke City. He will be reverting to the holding midfield role he had as a teenager: Stoke plan for Cousins
Jake Forster-Caskey has signed a new one year deal at Charlton, thanking the fans for their support while he was injured: New deal
Some people are having a relaxing time. A wedding special enters Dungeness Station during my visit to the Kent coast on Friday. And I discovered that Derek from Dymchurch is a real person.
Every year around this time a panic starts about how thin the squad is. There is plenty of time left to make signings, particularly if there is a change of ownership. It wasn't a good look having a thin subs' bench at Sunderland at the start of last season, but I don't think it had much to do with the result.
Cafc Facts and Stats have published the following list of what has happened to the Sunderland players: Phillips; Dijksteel; Purrington (Back to Rotherham); Sarr; Bauer (Gone to Preston); Bielik (Back to Arsenal); Cullen (Back to West Ham); Pratley; Aribo (Glasgow Rangers/); Taylor; Parker (Released).
I realise they are just trying to provide useful information, but I would say that we already have a good replacement for Parker and I think that 'The Cat' may well come back.
So just relax and enjoy what we have of the summer and wait and see what happens on ownership. That will influence whether or not we are in a relegation battle.
Mind you, it does seem to have been an incredibly short break. I was writing programme notes yesterday for my non-league team's opening fixture against Coventry City who are hoping to recapture the Mayoral Cup. Charlton have the Crown Berger at Welling to look forward to.
The SLP has confirmed that Joe Aribo is to join Rangers on a four year contract, subject to a medical. The Scottish press has said there was late interest from two Premiership clubs, but Aribo had already been measured for his kilt and handed his sporran.
Because he is heading north of the border into a different league, Charlton will receive limited compensation.
I wish him well, but I do think he is making a mistake in joining the Scottish Pisspoor League. For years there has been talk of an Atlantic League which would join Scottish teams in a competition with smaller European countries. Perhaps it could be Roland's next project.
I spent yesterday with Charlton fans in the Folkestone area. (For the avoidance of doubt, I did not visit Ramsgate). Everyone is still buoyed by the Wembley experience and the superb weather on the coast yesterday boosted the mood. However, there is great concern about Roland's obduracy and puzzlement about his motivations and agenda.
The pride shown in the Wembley result was demonstrated by a Charlton fan who had a montage of photos of his family at the game framed and displayed in his home.
CASC Trust has been disappointed by the tardy response of the EFL to the concerns expressed about the situation at Charlton, although I expected vacuous hand wringing from an organisation that is not fit for purpose: The EFL responds at last
4730 season tickets sold at Charlton as of now. Like for like sales are up 14% compared to this time in 2016. Just think how they would be boosted if there was a change of ownership.
Our first game is away to Blackburn Rovers. Stoke City is the first home game on August 10th. Our last game of the season is away at Leeds United: Fixtures
We go to Millwall in November and they come to us in April.
One of the key games for me is away at Cardiff City on November 23rd: I have already had Bluebirds fans giving it large. Byddwn yn goresgyn Caerdydd!
The BBC is claiming that a takeover of Charlton by the Australian consortium is near: Takeover close.
We have heard this sort of thing before and I have no means of testing its veracity. However, given recent criticisms, I doubt that the BBC would publish such a story without a reliable source. But then Rick Everitt had an excellent source for his VOTV story which turned out to be wrong at the time.
I do not know what has happened to the Cardiff City chairman whose possible departure caused so much angst in Wales.
Purists will wait, as always, for the official site, but that is the last place you will read anything, Roland's rants aside. New signings are only announced after they have had their medical, been given an Oyster card if they are not from London and photographed wearing the shirt and with a scarf.
This is followed by an interview in which they declare:
Joe Aribo is to meet Lee Bowyer on Friday to tell him he is quitting Charlton and joining Rangers: Evening Standard report
Aribo's move north of the border means that Charlton will receive only around £250,000 for the loss of his services. Barmy Belgian owner Roland Duchatelet offered Aribo a new contract last summer and then withdrew it.
If that offer had stayed in place, we would have at least received a lot more compensation. The whole boardroom could have decked out in tartan and a kilt could have been made for Roland to show off his knees.
Charlton are interested in a deal for goalkeeper Ben Amos, reports Richard Cawley. Amos was on loan at Charlton and subsequently went to Millwall: Career details
I can't provide any more detail or a link at the moment because the SLP site is not loading properly. However, Cawley has tweeted as clarification of the keeper situation: 'Dillon Phillips will start the season as first choice. His shirt to lose. It's not like any player coming in is a replacement.'
One fan commented on Facebook, 'The other thing is [Amos and Phillips] are good mates so they will have that friendship and respect for each other and will support one another who ever gets that number [one] spot.'
Cawley is also reporting that Johnnie Jackson and Steve Gallen have signed new deals.
Reinforcing Charlton's strike force comes before finding a berth for Jonny Williams says recruitment supremo Steve Gallen: Update on interest. [Please note that the SLP web pages are currently slow to load].
Gallen said: 'He was great for us and I hope it was great for Jonny as well. It got him back in the shop window, and that is what we sold it to him like at the end of December or start of January.'
'Come and get yourself in the shop window, play some games and show what you’re all about. That’s from your side. But, for us, come and help us get over the line. We can’t afford what he was on at Palace. We would still like to resurrect that, but the priority right now is to get a couple of strikers in.
Williams did become something of a fans' favourite for his energetic runs that unsettled opposition players.
In a message on Twitter, Patrick Bauer has stated that he is moving on and thanks the fans for their support through some tough times. He says, 'I have met a lot of amazing people and made many good friends.' I thank him for that goal at Wembley. As the Chicago Addick points out, he was one of the few good signings of the Duchatelet era.
As usual there have been grumbles about player loyalty. Players are hired hands. All we can ask of them is that they do their best when they are with us and Bauer did that. If a fan was offered a better paid job with potentially more career development opportunities, particularly if they had just had their first child, they would usually take it. So what is different about footballers?
Bauer has signed for Preston North End. They have been seen as potential play off contenders in recent years. Bauer tweeted, 'I’m absolutely delighted to have signed for Preston North End & be a part of the PNE family. I’m looking forward to meet my new teammates, the management, the staff & all the supporters. I can’t wait to get started.'
If anyone is to blame for Bauer going, it is Roland who still has a few defenders among supporters.
There was the usual mix of moans and excuses from Roland on TalkSport this morning. The EFL were in the firing line for not doing their job properly and restraining expenditure. He claimed that Championship clubs made an average loss of £1,000 per season ticket.
No doubt the EFL is open to criticism on a number of fronts, but the reason they have not acted more firmly on financial fair play is that they are on dubious legal ground in relation to competition law. Having had a competition lawyer as his chief executive, one would have thought she would have told him that breaking even was an illusion.
Roland also complained that players work for their agent, not the owner. Well, the agent is there to get what he can out of tight fisted owners.
Asked how close he was to selling the club, Roland said that this was unclear, but it was certainly not days. Interest had improved since the return to the Championship. Selling a club was not such an easy thing. Other clubs were for sale.
Exhibiting his skills at ****likhan, Jim White then said that Roland had increased the prospects of a sale by getting Lee Bowyer to agree to a realistic contract. He said, 'the fans want you out, you want out'. However, Roland didn't sound very convincing when he said that he was hopeful of getting out.
One fan commented, 'Repeated, unchallenged lies by Duchatelet and not one mention of his statement on the site about Bowyer yesterday.'
White said he can't understand Charlton fans still complaining as Bowyer has signed on and Duchatelet has said he is closer to selling the club. What an Onanist. He should challenge the standard line from the Belgian.
Roland Rat's interview can be heard here: Nothing new
My conclusion is that Roland is a professional ****hole. I have met a few amateur ****holes in my time and they can't help it, it's just the way they are. However, Roland has been working on developing a professional ****hole act for years and has now reached peak anality. A key requirement is to blame everyone else except yourself: the EFL; other club owners; the fans; Rick Everitt.
A £400k deal for Lee Bowyer was agreed in a 10pm phone call with Roland Duchatelet last night.
'We went on a real journey last season,' Bowyer said in a statement this morning. “The club came together — the players, the staff, the fans and we achieved something special. The journey hasn’t finished yet and I’m delighted this has all been agreed.'
'This has been a long process and I never wanted to leave, I love this club. I’d like to thank the owner for giving me the initial opportunity and now for continuing to believe in me. We have a fantastic fan-base here and my focus continues to be getting our squad in the best possible shape for the Championship next season.'
Roland Duchatelet told TalkSport, 'We found an agreement which is a very nice agreement for [Bowyer] but also an agreement where we do not get into a big liability for the future which is important for us as we look to sell the club.'
Interviewed on Sky Sports News, Lee Bowyer said that nothing at Charlton is ever straightforward. Asked how close he was to leaving, Bowyer said 'for me it wasn't close.' His wife told him 'you've gone', but then Roland phoned a few hours later.
Bowyer said, 'I love the club. Everybody knows that.' Asked if events had disrupted his plans for next season, the shell shocked supremo said 'I can't lie.' There had been some disruption. However, it is hoped to have more players in by the end of the week.
Lee Bowyer has been talking to TalkSport and Louis Mendez has a transcript of his main comments. Bowyer admits it is going to be difficult next season with the smallest budget in the Championship: I was unaware of statement announcing my exit
All that could change for the better if a new owner comes in and some are suggesting that could happen within a couple of weeks.
The usually reliable Richard Cawley of the SLP has tweeted that Lee Bowyer has agreed a contract extension with Charlton.
Louis Mendez has just tweeted (0950 Tuesday) 'The Times report that Duchatelet doubled his offer to Lee Bowyer on the phone last night. Makes the statement from yesterday even weirder.'
The SLP site cannot be accessed at the moment, no doubt Charlton fans are trying to reach the story. In the meantime, there is a very detailed account in the Daily Mail. I don't buy into the view that everything in that paper is fake news and this story looks as if some work has gone into it: Bowyer signs new Charlton deal
For those who have an issue with the Mail, here is The Independent version: Lee Bowyer signs new contract
Barking Charlton owner Roland Duchatelet will be on Talksport after 10 a.m. He will probably be speaking to his mate Jim White, although apparently he has been away for the last few days. However, it now appears that it will be White so we can expect sycophantic and deferential behaviour, sometimes referred to as an ancient Persian practice.
Matt Hughes of The Times tweeted, 'Following Cafc's extraordinary statement regarding Bowyer told the club offered him a one-year contract worth just over £200,000. For context of Championship managerial pay Frank Lampard earns around £2m at Derby, who would speak to Bowyer if Lampard joins Chelsea.'
VOTV editor Rick Everitt tweeted, 'Hard to believe that Bowyer was offered more than Pardew was being paid by Cafc in the Championship in 2007/08 and 08/09, but I guess the past salary stuff comes from Richard Murray because RD just wouldn’t know. Detail is not Murray’s strong point either.'
Henry Winter tweeted, 'Duchatelet should be doing everything possible to build around Bowyer, an inspiring manager who cares passionately about Cafc, who the players love, who gave the fans hope, who got them up. Been some bad owners in English football and Duchatelet’s certainly in the hall of shame.'
What I am hearing is that the talks with Bowyer are to be held in Belgium. Gallen and Marshall are also supposed to be leaving the club while Jacko has had the caretaker manager role discussed. If Bowyer was to leave, I would like Johnnie Jackson to be considered as his replacement as he has been a key part of the successful management team and is strongly identified with the club and its fans.
A statement on the club web site announcing that it has not been possible to reach agreement on a contract extension for Lee Bowyer has led to confusion.
According to Talksport, Bowyer is 'bewildered' by the statement and does not wish to exit Charlton.
The statement on the club website does say 'If Lee does change his mind before his contract expires and chooses to continue his good work at Charlton, he is still welcome to stay.'
Richard Cawley of the SLP has tweeted, 'Got an update on Lee Bowyer. He has spoken to Roland Duchatelet since the statement and they are due to talk again in the morning. So in terms of what the outcome is regarding Lee Bowyer's future - it ISN'T determined yet.'
The statement can be found here: Unable to reach agreement
Club staff are reported to have refused to publicise the 'bizarre and rambling' statement by Duchatelet on social media: Talksport
It is claimed that the fact that the club is losing money has made it difficult to sell, but most clubs in League One and the Championship do lose money.
It is implied that Bowyer has been offered big bucks and wants even more, but I am not convinced that this is a case of greed. It looks like yet another Roland cock up to me. VOTV editor Rick Everitt has tweeted, 'Hard to exaggerate how unprofessional that statement from Duchatelet is; complete contrast to the way Bowyer has conducted himself.'
On the face of it, it does look like the news we have been dreading with a caretaker manager to be appointed pending the sale of the club. If Frank Lampard goes to Chelsea as anticipated, Bowyer would be a strong candidate for manager of Derby County.
After the euphoria of Wembley, these developments are a real let down.
According to the Evening Standard Lee Bowyer is 50-50 to walk away from Charlton if Roland Duchatelet does not meet his contract expectations later this week: Holds out for improved contract offer
You can dismiss this as another invented 'fake news' story if you wish, and one that hedges its bets, but the writer does seem to have some sources and it would appear to be more credible than the optimistic Daily Mail report.
Rick Everitt is not one to miss a chance to castigate Roland, but has taken a cautious if vigorously expressed line in a tweet from his Ramsgate fastness. The VOTV editor commented, 'Bowyer is absolutely right to stand up to Duchatelet and if he goes let’s ensure it brings a bucketload of crap down on the buffoon’s head. But it’s a negotiation and we can’t assume yet that RD won’t blink.'
Charlton are paying £200k for Orient striker Macauley Bonne, reveals Richard Cawley of the SLP: Deal done The Zimbabwe international scored 23 goals in 46 outings for Orient in the National League.
Presumably the fee and wages are compatible with the limited budget made available by Roland. He can be seen as a replacement for Igor.
He was originally at the Colchester United academy: Career details
Sceptics are saying that it is a big step up from the non-league to the Championship, but Lee Bowyer must think he has potential.
Charlton are one of a number of clubs interested in 24-year old Bristol Rovers defender Tom Lockyer, reports Richard Cawley.
Summer football is now under way in the Highlands and Islands, including the Orkney Cheese League. However, this picture is from Eriskay in the six team Barra and Uist league.
Nothing has been officially confirmed, but media reports from Scotland suggest that Joe Aribo is heading for Rangers, Celtic being the alternative.
This is disappointing on a number of levels. I had clung to a faint hope that we might be able to hold on to him, although I knew that was not realistic. Charlton have always been a selling club.
Of course, in this case we won't get a fee, just a very small sum in development compensation from north of the border, probably in used Scottish notes.
I also do not think it is the right move for Aribo. Admittedly, the Scottish league is better than the leagues in Luxembourg, Malta and Cyprus. It is also ahead of the rapidly improving Gibraltar league and the fiercely competitive Vatican league. But leaving those leagues aside, it is one of the least competitive leagues in Europe, affecting the ability of Scottish teams to make an impact in European competitions.
Aribo would have been far better off developing his undoubted talent in the Bundesliga. Even if it meant being measured for lederhosen, it would have been better than the kilt.
This week I heard someone who is not a native English speaker describe the Daily Mail as the Daily Mill. They are a news mill that churns out stories that will get them clickbait. Perhaps their ideal story would be 'Sporting celebrity tries to make peace between Kate and Meghan.'
I therefore treat their report that Lee Bowyer will sign a new contract this week with a measure of caution: Pens new deal and spurns QPR
If I was a journo sitting in front of a computer I could have put that story together as a shrewd guess from Richard Cawley's tweets and reports for the SLP. No one with any sense would go anywhere near the Super Hoops as manager.
Nevertheless, I hope they are right, and I hope a deal to sell the club is not too far away.
Richard Cawley has just tweeted (1910, Sunday) in relation to the Daily Mail report: 'I've checked and I'm told it isn't true, that nothing has changed as things stand. Same situation as Friday night, in that negotiations were moving along in right direction at long last.'
I can do not better than quote one long-term Charlton fan on Facebook: 'So sorry to hear that Betty Hutchins passed away last night two days before her 83rd birthday. She was a super lady and a real true Charlton supporter. Betty epitomised everything good about Charlton and people. She will be sadly missed. I bet she will start a Charlton fan club up in heaven.
Richard Cawley of the SLP reports, 'Finally, finally we *might* have some good news coming on Lee Bowyer. Talks are beginning to move in the right direction.' Cawley has just spoken to Bowyer and 'I think his quote that "now we are negotiating" means there is something of a breakthrough'.
The jaded journo added, 'We're not there yet in terms of it being sorted. But the fact he is talking about coming to an agreement is a positive - it's looked decidedly dicey at times this week that we'd get a positive resolution.'
Bowyer commented: 'All I wanted was to be treated fairly. And now we have started negotiating. Hopefully we can come to an agreement.'
Roland Duchatelet has said that he has taken personal charge of the negotiations. Presumably this does not involve him leaving Belgium, but I would be interested to hear of any sightings in London.
The story from Richard Cawley is here: Bowyer hopeful of agreement
According to Richard Cawley of the SLP, head of recruitment Steve Gallen has said that Charlton cannot match the contract offers made by other clubs for Patrick Bauer. So it looks as if the Wembley hero will be on his way soon as he will get a lot more money elsewhere.
The full story is on the SLP website, but please note that it has been responding slowly in recent days: Charlton cannot match financial terms
Roland Duchatelet is spending a big chunk of his two per cent time budget for Charlton by taking personal charge of contract negotiations with Lee Bowyer. Talks with his sidekick Lieven de Turck had become deadlocked and there are now less than 24 hours before the popular manager would be free to walk away: Belgian takes over contract talks
The SLP's Richard Cawley has commented on Twitter: 'People might think Duchatelet getting involved is a bad thing - but not sure it is. Talks were going nowhere before that.'
The shell shocked journalist, who has said that he has badly in need of a well-deserved holiday, continued: 'There are no indications as things stand that the deadline could get shunted on. Not long now until Charlton back in pre-season training plus got deals lined up to go. Needed a sense of urgency a whole lot earlier. But you don't need telling that.'
Mehmet Dalman
Cardiff City chairman Mehmet Dalman may stand down as takeover talks at Charlton reach an advanced stage: Takeover talks.
Investment banker Dalman is one of the richest men in the country and has been involved in the game for a number of years. He used to have a two-and-a-half per cent stake in Manchester United and helped engineer the takeover by the Glazer family in 2004. He is a popular figure at Cardiff where has been since 2013. Now he wants to be an owner-chairman in his own right.
This is the person who was referenced in a story published by Rick Everitt on the Voice of the Valley website on Monday.
However, apparently Roland is being difficult and unpredictable in the talks: Advanced talks
Richard Cawley reports that the chances of Lee Bowyer leaving have increased with a Friday deadline for contract negotiations, after which he could walk away for nothing: Bowyer on deadline
I would be devastated if this happened, as would most Charlton fans, and wonder why I bought a season ticket again.
Voice of The Valley has been told that a post-Wembley change in the terms of the deal for the sale of Charlton previously agreed between owner Roland Duchatelet and the Australian-led consortium led to the public spat over outstanding loans to three former club directors.
The fanzines's website claims, ' The information emanating from the Aussie camp directly conflicts with previously minuted public statements by Duchatelet's point man Lieven De Turck.'
The Australians had hoped to move ahead with their deal after Wembley. Full story here: Price hike
Fanzine editor Rick Everitt states that moves to acquire Charlton stepped up in the aftermath of the Wembley play-off. 'It should not be assumed that this renewed activity is confined to the Australian group.'
Three former Charlton directors have issued a statement in relation to their loans, emphasising that they would not wish to block the sale of the club, nor would they be able to do so. The statement was issued by the Voice of the Valley website: Ex-directors respond over loan claims
CAFC Facts and Stats has recently tweeted, 'We are also aware of other attempts last week to spread the word among fans that the three ex-directors were the cause of the hold-up, in what appears to have been a concerted attempt to force their hand. Who's stupid idea was that?
The sea may still be cold off Ramsgate, but its heating up on the Isle of Thanet tonight as VOTV editor Rick Everitt denounces Roland's latest self-serving statement published on the club website: Rick Everitt puts him straight
The Rickster has stated on Twitter, 'It is categorically untrue and a barefaced lie that the owner of Ebbsfleet was interested in buying Charlton, that Peter Varney, myself and Derek Chappell ever put him forward to do so.'
He continues, 'Interested party in 2015/16 was not Middle Eastern and Duchatelet does not and never has known who it was, because he refused to sign an NDA to meet them in Brussels. What any this has to do with 2019 I have no idea!'
Everitt notes, 'Duchatelet blames former CAFC directors with a total of £2.65m in interest-free loans only repayable in PL but has refused a £45m offer for the club and asked for £72m plus the ex-directors’ loans in League One six months ago.'
Former Charlton director David White commented, 'I don’t understand it. I have had one conversation recently asking if I would be happy to discuss my loan and I said yes. That is all. I haven’t discussed anything else, been offered anything or agreed anything.'
Roland has commented that he as owner and Charlton fans are stuck with one another. Let's hope it's not for all of next season as otherwise a great opportunity will be lost.
In an extensive interview with Richard Cawley Jonny Williams talks about the emotions of being a Wembley winner again and how Lee Bowyer restored his belief: Bowyer gave me back belief
Williams has attracted interest from a number of clubs, but clearly would like to stay at The Valley if he could. Among those clubs interested are Swansea City where he could join former Leamington ace Courtney Baker-Richardson. Apart from the Abertawe side, a number of clubs are said to be interested including newly promoted Norwich City: Jonny Williams
Roland Duchatelet might be prepared to part with a transfer fee this summer for the first time since August 2016, but it would have to be for a young player - who presumably could be sold on later at a profit. With Charlton likely to have the smallest budget in the Championship, staying in the league will be the challenge according to Lee Bowyer: Moths seen flying
Presumably Thomas Dreisen would run the rule over any proposed purchase.
Lee Bowyer has held further contract talks with Roland's sidekick Lieven de Turck: Rivals are interested
There have been reports of interest in the manager from West Browmich Albion.
Richard Cawley reports, 'Bowyer is thought to still be pushing ahead with talking to potential signings.Plymouth’s Ruben Lameiras, 24, is of interest. The Portuguese winger is a free agent in July and looks certain to leave Argyle, who were relegated to League Two. Bordeaux have also been linked.'
'Bowyer wants to bring Josh Cullen back for another season-long loan in South London. But the classy midfielder is expected to start pre-season with West Ham as he waits to see if he has a chance of being in the first-team picture.'
On a personal note, I would like to express my thanks to the black cab driver who would not accept a fare for taking me to St. Thomas's A and E yesterday, and for the good care I received overnight from the hospital. I am now back home.
Three clubs are interested in Tariqe Fosu who is on his way out of Charlton. Among them is Oxford United and Fosu played his best football under Gobby before fading. The others are Lincoln City and Rotherham United: League One clubs interested in winger
The offer of new terms to Fosu surprised some Addicks fans but the offer was to protect Charlton by getting some compensation for the former Reading man, as he is under the age of 24.
According to the Daily Mail Derby County are considering Lee Bowyer as a possible replacement for Frank Lampard if he goes to Chelsea as manager.
This could be a 'lazy journalist dreams up name' story.
I give no credence to social media reports that West Bromwich Albion are interested in Dillon Phillips. We are in the season of fake news with stories made up by agents and journalists desperate for copy.
I also can't take seriously reports that Chris Solly is going vegan and joining Forest Green Rovers. Nailsworth is a bit of a contrast to S.E. London.
Rotherham manager Paul Warne would not stand in Ben Purrington's way if the left back wanted to return to The Valley: 100 per cent open to Charlton
Some fans think that 'The Cat' is not good enough for the Championship, but he has developed under Bowyer. And we are not in a position to splash the cash.
With 12 months to run on his deal, Lyle Taylor is to be offered a new contract. Lee Bowyer expects bids for him: New deal
Bowyer thinks there are three things that will keep Taylor at Charlton: he loves it at The Valley, he is in London and will be playing in the Championship.
The window of opportunity for Roland Duchatelet to sell the club may not last for long, at most two months, warns VOTV editor Rick Everitt in a new blog post: Short window
The Rickster states: 'While all the indications remain that the Belgian is still holding out for an unrealistic price, one stumbling block to a deal has been removed by promotion. Duchatelet had previously been demanding a success payment when new owners got the team out of League One, something that at least one interested party was not prepared to entertain. But whether that is enough to unlock a deal remains to be seen.'
The Ramsgate fan concludes, ' Unfortunately, all previous experience points to the owner running the club on the basis of wishful thinking rather than business logic.'
Six Championship clubs and two Scottish clubs are interested in getting the signature of Patrick Bauer: Popular defender
However, some reports are suggesting that he would prefer to stay at The Valley if he could: Setback for Rangers. That may not be easy to achieve with Lee Bowyer out of contract soon and Roland not willing to spend a euro more than he has to.
Jonny Williams, whose wages cannot be afforded by Charlton, is attracting interest from the Super Hoops and Swansea City.
Meanwhile, promotion rivals Luton have drawn up a 'comprehensive' list of targets: Summer targets
For the next few weeks I will be publishing stories simultaneously on this blog and Addick's Third Division Diary before switching completely to Addick's Championship Diary.
Soon we have to start thinking seriously about next season and the big challenge we face, as big as going up to the Premier League in 1998: the Championship is now effectively the Premier League Division 2 that Richard Murray foresaw. However, first a final few words about last Sunday.
There have been many good pieces of writing about the experience of Sunday, but one of the best has now been published online by CAST board member Heather McKinlay, one of the small band of Scottish Addicks: Of Magpieand Robins
I went to see my osteopath yesterday: he lived in Greenwich for fifteen years at the time of our ascent to, and participation in, the Premier League. He said that when the second goal went in, he thought of me and almost thought of contacting me, but decided it wouldn't be very professional.
Finally, I have been thinking of how delighted my father would have been, particularly as he was at the first FA Cup final at the old Wembley. He would be particularly pleased that our song mentions Jimmy Seed and Sam Bartram. He would be delighted to see as many Addicks supporting the clubs as was the case before and after the war. And he would be surprised but pleased that I was still there supporting them, after disappointing him by failing to follow in his non-league footsteps and become a professional footballer.
