Free of timewasters at last

Retiring Charlton director Tony Jiminez says that he and his fellow directors were plagued by time wasters over the last few months as several offers were made for the club. Jiminez pays a warm tribute to Chris Powell: Jiminez

However, Jiminez does not make any reference to Jonathan Acworth despite his efforts to set up a deal from his bijou flat in Greenwich. Acworth's letter to the Belgian beginning 'Bon jour monsieur, c'est votre ami Jonathan Acwoth qui parle' is regarded as a masterpiece of Franglais.

The Royal Borough of Greenwich has tweeted a warm welcome to new owner Roland Duchatelet, leading one local blogger to speculate that, given that such a welcome was not given to other buyers, perhaps the question of a move to the Peninsula will be raised.

Flash: Charlton takeover completed

Tony Jiminez

The takeover of Charlton has been completed. Tony Jiminez and Michael Slater are in charge, Peter Varney is on the board and Richard Murray remains on the board. Varney's role is more than nominal as executive vice-chairman with responsibility for corporate strategy. CEO Kavanagh is also on the board.

As we indicated earlier, Tony Jiminez is an international property developer and Michael Slater is a lawyer and businessman. Jiminez was formerly a vice-president (player recruitment) at Newcastle United where he worked with Dennis Wise: Jiminez At the time it was thought that he might become involved with Spurs.

His association with Wise at Newcastle may have produced the rumours that the former Millwall player was involved but chairman Slater has emphasised that he has no part in the takeover. Whether he will have any subsequent role remains to be seen.

Slater will be the chairman. His role as a lawyer is now a limited one and he is involved in a number of investment businesses based in Switzerland. In the UK he is chairman of the highly successful Reflex Vehicle Solutions.

With a fleet of 7,500 vehicles Reflex Vehicle Solutions operates a flexible hire service from depots in Stockton-on-Tees, London, Dublin and Didcot in Oxfordshire. Customers, who can add their own liveries to the vehicles, include local authorities, parcel couriers, Network Rail and civil engineers. Reflex also offers maintenance through 2,500 service outlets. Michael Slater, chairman, has overseen profits motoring ahead 47% a year from £1.3m in 2005 to £4.1m in 2008.

In a statement on the Charlton website, Slater referred to building a long-term financial platform to develop the club's potential. He did not want to encourage unrealsitic pie in the sky expectations. The club would always live within its means.

In terms of strengthening the squad supremo Slater has said, 'We need to have a good sit-down with Phil Parkinson and understand what is needed.' A preparedness to listen, then, and no 'Parky out' talk. I think we may see a couple of positions strengthened in the transfer window.

There will be interviews with Slater and Murray on Sky Sports News later today.