A price of £18 million has been agreed between Charlton's current board and the property company which is set to buy the club, reveals the South London Press. The prospective new owners, whose identity has not yet been revealed, are also thought to be ready to take on the club's £4million bank debts, plus £7m owed to former directors when the Addicks return to the Premier League. This is a much more realistic figure than the £40m+ that has been talked about before.
The SLP states, 'There has also been little opposition to a move the Greenwich Peninsula in the long run - as long as other aspects of the club's identity are not changed. [My view is that there has not been time for such opposition to develop]. Some fans have, though expressed anger that a move could be suggested after the Return to The Valley campaign brought, the club back to its original home in 1992.' [Which in my view is fit for purpose].
The Valley board has in the past produced an appraisal that it could deliver a "40,000-seat stadium on the Morden Wharf site on the Greenwich peninsula at no cost. That would mean making housing a part of the development on the 19 acre site. But crucially The Valley plot could satisfy the council's requirement that a portion of any new development be composed of social housing. [Not a cheap or easy site to develop in my view, but perhaps the West Stand offices and hospitality suites could be converted into apartments].
The wharf site, next to the O2 Arena and with 500m of river frontage, is currently owned by Morden College, a Blackheath-based company which runs homes for the elderly - but the lease is held by developers Cathedral.The Council's Peninsula West Master plan envisages turning the area into London's premier entertainment zone by "focusing regeneration around multi-purpose sports, entertainment and education facilities".
7 comments:
18 + 7 + 4 = 29m . Quite a bit short of 40 !
The Valley is indeed 'fit for purpose' even if we were to return to the Premier league.
However the surrounding areas certainly aren't.
So i think we would need to give consideration to a ground move. If it were seen to be an improvement that didn't push Charlton Athletic into (even more) debt.
Daggs
No to a move
Heard consortium is headedby Brian Richardson ex Coventry ownerplus money from Hong Kong
The Valley's not the prettiest stadium, in the prettiest area but its home. Maybe it sounds too emotive but players, chairmen, owners and even fans come and go over the years, the home should remain or the identity will be stripped from Charlton. My grandparents watched Charlton at the Valley from back in the 30s, my father watched them there until the 80s. Now I watch them at the Valley and in the future want my kids to do so. I know it doesn't bother some nameless property developers but knowing I'm watching the same team in the same ground as my ancestors means more to me that sitting in a nice comfy sparkling seat with a lovely, fully catered concourse outside.
While I do agree with the fact that the Valley is a home, sometimes for growth a move is required. I want Charlton to be competing in the premiership again in the future and we should once again be better than our neighbours West Ham. In order to attract better players than them and be a more attractive club a move may be necessary. It would not be very logistical to have our current ground extended to 40000.
Whats happening? Rumours now of an American from Philadelphia.
Was SLP press release just a rumour to flush out the real buyer,dangerous games being played by current owners.
Will the Bank want their Mortgage paid off makes sense as only £4mn now, we have heard there has been no contact made with Ex Directors,and they will need to be contacted at some point, so what is the story,or is it all a dream.
Clock ticking with only about 3 weeks of the City being open for this kind of deal and if not done this side of Christmas,current owners are up against it,and having to spend more money to keep us in Championship ,so they can find a buyer in summer.
Lets hope the news is good soon,as with current owners we appear to be doomed.
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