Crawley wanted to extend Karlan Ahearne-Grant's loan spell after his success in hitting the back of the net with them, while other League Two clubs are interested: Charlton attacker
However, whoever is minding the shop at Charlton says that the Addicks do not want to let him go over the summer.
Rebuilding his career in Cyprus, Diego Poyet recalls how he was treated by Roland when he left Charlton: Getting back on track
Despite his success on the pitch, Charlton were slow to try to tie down the out-of-contract Poyet to a new deal, making him wonder about his worth at a club where he had grown up: 'After about three or four weeks they contacted me and I wasn't really pleased with the offer they gave me. I'd been at the club six or seven years and had a close relationship with a lot of the players and the offer made me feel under-appreciated, considering how long I'd been at the club and I'd just won player of the year.'
Poyet continued: 'There was a discussion where they weren't going to make another offer. I was a free agent and I told them to forget about it and I wasn't going to turn up to pre-season, I was going to look for another option. That is how I ended up leaving a club that I had a lot of admiration and love for. I spent a lot of time there. It was my hometown as well and I ended up leaving in a way where most people don't know the truth.'
'The contract was offered, I said I wasn't happy with it and then they started throwing in things like a loan move to Standard Liege and this and that. I wondered if they wanted me at Charlton why they would offer for me to go out on loan somewhere. It ended in not a nice way but it is what it is and I'm sure it's happened to a lot of players.'
Companies House has gazetted a notice threatening to strike Crystal Palace off the register of companies. This is because CPFC Ltd. has not submitted its 2016/17 accounts, the only Premier League club to fail to do so.
Last year Palace moved its registers to the third floor of an address in Altrincham on the outskirts of Manchester.
Midfielder Regan Charles-Cook has turned down a one year contract offer at Charlton and signed for two years with Gillingham: Gills signing
Charles-Cook has had successful loan spells in the National League.
On signing for the Gills Regan said: 'I felt it was time to move on having been with Charlton for a while, they’ve been good to me and it’s been my home.'
Charlton's women's team have secured a place in the new look Championship alongside Manchester United, but Crystal Palace have been turned down: Huge disappointment
Bexleyheath fan and Charlton Athletic Supporters Trust founder Barnie Razzell has condemned Roland Duchatelet's stewardship at The Valley in no uncertain terms: Damning verdict
Razzell says that it was 'the current owner’s own arrogance that brought about his abject failure.'
One good point he makes is that the network model worked well at Watford, it was Duchatelet's incompetence that led to its failure at Charlton.M/p>
The failure of fans to get on side stopped Charlton winning promotion to the Premier League, claims Roland Duchatelet: I would have taken Charlton to top flight
Duchatelet seems to be blaming disgruntled ex-employees again whom he considered formed the core of protests in Belgium. They lost free entry to games and as a consequence, 'Some of those people were nasty and lied about many things.'
It will be interesting to see whether there is any response to this narrative from the Ramsgate direction.
Initial responses from fans on social media include 'The only place he would have taken us is League Two' and 'What utter bollocks, the man is batshit crazy, delusional and a total clown. You know where the door is, jog on.'
Blogger Hungry Ted tweeted, 'If you showed or demonstrated any semblance of ambition, desire and passion and an understanding of what Charlton means to fans on the pitch and within the community we’d have been right behind you.'
Another fan tweeted, 'Even if we remove all the emotion and focus only on the logic, none of the evidence supports Duchatelet’s rhetoric. Even if we forgive the early fundamental errors. He’s had FOUR YEARS to turn it round. We are playing a division lower with little sign of improvement.'
Steve Brown has said that new owners will have a big job on their hands rebuilding trust between the club and the fans and that is borne out by some comments made by formerly loyal fans.
Many fans have been following non-league football (Bromley, Dulwich Hamlet, Welling among others). I think that I have enjoyed my non-league football more this season, even if there is quite a lot of hoof ball. Admittedly, I can walk out of my house, cross the road and get a minibus to the ground (ok we have to stop at various pubs en route). Beats the two and a half hour trip to The Valley.
Others have found new things to do on a Saturday afternoon. In some cases people they came with have moved away or passed on.
The author of the Drinking During the Game blog has said that the current regime has severed his emotional bond with the club. He wrote that this bond 'has had me following the club loyally home and away since 1977. Perhaps it will never be the same again even after I return.'
One fan commented, 'In the near on fifty years (40 years as a s/t holder) I have been watching Charlton I have seen some poor teams. I also followed the club to that soulless ground called Selhurst Park as well as Upton Park. There were some dark days in that time especially when we were wound up in 1984. However there have been a lot of good times and I could always identify with Charlton as my team, the one supported by my father and grandfather. RD took the identity away and I was so angry and depressed with the situation at The Valley that I did not renew my season ticket in 2016 or last season.'
What we need to do is to attract a new group of younger supporters. The way to do that is to provide attractive, exciting football.
Charlton legend Steve Brown says that the new owners will have a big task in rebuilding trust with fans. The club has been a rudderless ship for what seems like an eternity: What new owners need to do
It is difficult to believe that it is twenty years since the greatest game against Sunderland, but the Telegraph looks back at the match: Classic final
Mark Bright, who is interviewed, says that many games are described as 'incredible', but that one really was. The players were so drained after giving their all that the evening celebration went flat.
Steve Sutherland gives his memories of the day here: Wembley's greatest match
Andrew Muir is flying back to Australia today and not returning for two weeks. While there would just be time for him to hold a press conference today, the fortnight break should allow the EFL sufficient time to complete their scrutiny of the deal: Return to Oz
Louis Mendez give his player ratings for the season. No surprise that Ben Amos gets an A+ and Ben Reeves does less well: Who were the big success stories?
Three out of seven former Charlton directors, whose consent was needed, refused to agree to a proposal by Roland Duchatelet to lease The Valley to the new owners: Takeover update
The price for the takeover is said to be £35m, somewhat less than the £40m previously mooted.
Main man Gerard Murphy was at the training ground yesterday meeting people reports VOTV editor Rick Everitt.
Now that the Sunderland takeover has gone through, the EFL can turn their attention to Charlton.
Sunderland look like having a big budget in League One and will be serious promotion rivals.
The Jimmy Seed blog, written by the legendary manager's grandson James Dutton, has a very informative post about the Australian takeover which seems to be reliably sourced: Takeover
One encouraging point is that Roland doesn't intend to hold on to any of the assets. There will be no question of leasing or tenancies.
The aim is to get into the Premier League in five years. A million pounds has been spent already on the takeover process.
It is not intended to use the club as a showcase for Australian talent.
Richard Cawley has tweeted that the takeover of Charlton by Andrew Muir is at the fit and proper persons stage. He states, 'I'd been asking question earlier this week about how long that can take, and the answer is no definitive timescale. EFL can ask other authorities to get involved if they have any concerns or things which need greater scrutiny.'
Whether Skippy the Kangaroo is a fit and proper person to be a mascot might be one issue.
I have only just come across this article about the Academy, but apparently we are ranked seventh nationally along with the Premier League big boys: Amazing production line
It's a shame that we can't retain some of the stars we produce for longer or get better prices for them.
VOTV editor Rick Everitt has reported that 'A new UK company Echidna Acquisitions registered by Gerard Murphy on April 30th with the Australian Football Consortium as shareholder. Obvious vehicle to acquire Charlton.' An echidna is a spiny anteater.
The online filing is here: Filing
Jason Pearce wants the Charlton takeover sorted quickly (don't we all?) and has urged the club to sign quality and experienced players: Action needed
This takeover saga is taking longer than it took the Shrewsbury keeper to take a goal kick.
Lee Bowyer has said that he would stay on at The Valley, but only as manager. He would not revert to a coaching role: Wants to be manager
Aussie Gerard Murphy was at Shrewsbury, but Andrew Muir was not there.
Charlton's play off dream ended with a 1-0 defeat at Shrewsbury Town this afternoon, making it 2-0 on aggregate. Lee Bowyer has improved the performance of the team, but the squad as a whole was not good enough to secure promotion. However, it does look as if a takeover of the club by the Australian consortium will happen soon, opening a new chapter in the club's history.
Shrewsbury were well organised and once again very physical with Charlton getting little protection from the referee. They defended well and Charlton did not have enough guile or offensive power to unlock them. The 16 point gap between the two teams in the final table told its own story.
On eleven minutes Amos had to dive to the right to save from former Leamington ace Alex Rodman. Shrewsbury were not allowing any flow to the game. Magennis fired over the bar. As the half hour approached, Ajose was denied by Henderson and a Shrews defender.
Charlton had a good penalty claim for handball, but the referee took no action. On 44 minutes Amos had to save from Rodman.
Ten minutes into the second half Shrewsbury stepped up the pressure and then scored through Carlton Morris. He should have been sent off in the first half for elbowing Bauer.
Nicky Ajose reckons that Shrewsbury could fold if Charlton score in today's match: Play off decider
Well, maybe. But one of Charlton's key problems is that they lack a proven goal scorer.
Odds for the match: Shrewsbury 7/5, Draw 2/1, Charlton 9/4.
Ademola Lookman scored his fifth goal in eleven games for RB Leipzig yesterday in the Bundesliga and the club want to sign him permanently: Success
Given that Sam Allardyce thinks he isn't good enough to play for Everton, he might as well seize the chance.
VOTV editor Rick Everitt reports on the presence of the likely next chairman and chief executive at Charlton last night. The Australians broke cover from the bush and sat at the front of the directors' box: Breaking cover
Roland has got his retaliation in first by inserting a clause in the sale agreement which bans Peter Varney and other senior former employees from taking any role on the non-footballing side at The Valley. This clause would cover Ramsgate based fanzine editor Everitt who receive an eleventh hour settlement after his dismissal just as an employment tribunal was about to convene.
The Belgium Twenty are tweeting, 'The Valley will be leased out by Roland to the Aussies! They aren’t willing to pay full price! If true this is very disappointing!. Also the training facility’s will be leased and a 10% of all youth sales will go to Roland until the full £40m is paid. If this is true (have no reason to doubt it) then it is very disappointing.'
They comment, 'Roland did similar at Standard and also STVV he still has financial connections to these clubs! Think of it as his long-term pension i guess! Roland has won! Bought a club ran it into the ground and made a tidy long-term profit!'
There is no independent confirmation of these reports.
There was no Ascension Day promotion boost for Charlton after they went down 0-1 at home to Shrewsbury Town in the first leg of the play off semi-finals. It is, of course, only 'half time' and the Shrews lead is not invincible, but turning it around away from home will be a challenge.
The Addicks had a number of chances in the first twenty minutes with the ball going very close to the post a couple of times. In the second half Shrewsbury, who had a very physical approach, started to dominate and eventually scored.
The midfield did not seem to be contributing as they should for much of the match. Reeves did not have a particularly good game and was eventually substituted. Lee Bowyer thought that Charlton took too many touches at times and created their own problems.
Within the first five minutes, Josh Magennis sent a header wide for the hosts and Jake Forster-Caskey forced a fingertip save from Town keeper Dean Henderson. Bryn Morris' shot was well saved by Ben Amos at the other end, while the visitors appealed in vain for a penalty when Charlton captain Jason Pearce appeared to play the ball with his arm under pressure from a Town attacker.
Jon Nolan's 20-yard half-volley put the visitors ahead. Midfielder Nolan struck into the top corner 10 minutes before the end of the first leg, converting from substitute Stefan Payne's knockdown. Nicky Ajose almost levelled within a couple of minutes, but his acrobatic effort flew just over the crossbar.
Australian Andrew Muir was seen in the ground being shown round by Paul Elliott. There has been speculation that contracts for the purchase of the club may be signed today, although not exchanged.
The attendance of 14,367 was disappointing and perhaps shows how big a job there is to be done in rebuilding trust between the club and fans. The Covered End was almost sold out, but there were big gaps elsewhere.
Lee Bowyer says that Charlton players were playing as individuals before he took charge and he has instilled more professionalism: Reviving promotion hopes
One player told a fan at the POTY dinner that Karl Robinson tended to over complicate things while Bowyer kept things simple.
Odds for tonight: Charlton 23/20, Draw 2/1, Shrewsbury 12/5.
Shrewsbury Town supremo Paul Hurst is not worried by their underdog status in the play off clash with Charlton. The bookies are giving Shrewsbury the longest odds for promotion with Rotherham being the favourites: Underdogs
Defender Omar Beckles gives it large, reckoning that a rivalry is building between Charlton and Shrewsbury: Rivalry
Tariqe Fosu is back in training after a hamstring injury and could be available for the bench on Thursday: Injury boost
As he has the ability to change games, this is good news.
Johnnie Jackson is expecting tough play off semi-final clashes with Shrewsbury Town: Desperate to get to Wembley
Jackson admits that knowing scorelines elsewhere meant that Charlton could take their foot off the gas at Rochdale. 'We never had to go full throttle,' he said: Relaxed during defeat
Jackson dreams of making his 500th Charlton appearance at Wembley. He says that his role as assistant manager to Lee Bowyer has been 'full on': Dreaming of milestone
Charlton lost 1-0 at Rochdale this evening, but Plymouth's 5-2 defeat at Gillingham mean that the Addicks go into the play offs, facing Shrewsbury Town at home at The Valley on Thursday. Rochdale's win means that they escape relegation with Oldham Athletic ending their long sojourn in League One.
It looked as if Dale had gone ahead on six minutes. Aribo gave away a free kick on the edge of the box. Amos saved, but Henderson had the goal at his mercy from the rebound. However, he hit the post.
Rochdale eventually went ahead on 69 minutes, cancer survivor Thompson scoring from the edge of the box.
Jackson came on for a late cameo in front of the 1,161 Charlton fans who had made the journey.
Rochdale boss Keith Hill is 'relaxed and ready' for tonight's vital encounter with Charlton at the Crown Oil Arena (aka Spotland): Preview
Hill admitted, 'I think three points is a must. It’s going to be difficult against a good Charlton Athletic side who are play-off contenders, but it’s something we must do. We’ve got to find that winning performance from the players, both individually and collectively. They’ve got to support each other psychologically – physically they’re fit enough –and they’ve got to go for it.'
Hill praised the progress the Addicks have made under Lee Bowyer: 'They’re a good side. They were a good side under Karl Robinson but they’ve taken it up a level since Lee Bowyer took over, and I think they’ve done absolutely superb. They’re playing in the spirit that he played in as a player. They’re a massive club in League One and have very good players.'
The last three matches at this level between the two teams at Spotland have seen wins for both sides and a draw. (2-0, 2-3, 3-3).
Odds are: Rochdale 11/10, Draw 5/2, Charlton 9/4.
CAS Trust cite Rochdale's most famous export, Gracie Fields, in their preview: Now is the Hour
Johnnie Jackson reckons that Lee Bowyer has given Charlton's players additional confidence. The back four have also been immense: Secret of Bowyer's success
Jackson admits that he and Bowyer are kept out of the loop on the prospective takeover.
Lee Bowyer is to make changes to the Charlton team for Saturday's match at Rochdale as he wants a fresh squad for the play offs. Joe Aribo will start: Ready to make changes
Plymouth meanwhile are pinning their hopes on a tie breaker play off on Monday between Argyle and Charlton which is being planned by the Football League. This would need a 2-0 win by the Pilgrims at Gillingham and a 4-0 defeat for Charlton at Rochdale: Dramatic play off tie breaker
The sale of Charlton will not be completed until it is decided which division the Addicks will be playing in next season. Roland will increase the price if they make it to the Championship: Sale delayed
Two interested parties remain in play, including the Australian consortium.
Lee Bowyer is Charlton's most successful manager after 10 games, beating a record established by Jimmy Seed in 1933: Record breaker
Plymouth manager Derek Adams didn't join the lap of honour at Home Park last Saturday because he thought he would save it for the play offs. If he likes, he can jog round an empty stadium tomorrow when the Pilgrims return from their defeat at Scunthorpe.
Even if Charlton lose at Rochdale in the match to be televised by Sky and Plymouth beat Gillingham (quite likely), goal difference is such that the Addicks are likely to secure a play off place.
Given that Scunthorpe have a home match against Bradford on Saturday, they are likely to finish 5th so Charlton will play Shrewsbury in the play offs.
Richard Cawley of the SLP assesses the 'Bowyer bounce'. He reckons that one of the big advantages that Charlton have is solidity and their main failing is that they do not create enough chances. However, they are showing finishing power in the play off race: Bowyer bounce
