Andrew Barclay’s Interest In Charlton Remains
Andrew Barclay has insisted that he is still interested in taking over Charlton Athletic, despite recent news suggesting that he is no longer in the race to buy the club.
Barclay, who has teamed up with former Charlton Chief Executive Peter Varney, who oversaw the club’s lengthy spell in the Premier League, have been interested in buying the club for a number of months and are keen to proceed with securing a deal.
However, former Charlton owner Roland Duchatelet, who stills owns The Valley and the training ground, is insistent that he has an agreement with East Street Investments, whose ownership of the club has been met with controversy and extreme fan backlash.
ESI claimed to be in control of the club since January and that they were in control of the stadium and the training ground, but the EFL were unsatisfied over the source of sufficient funds and the owners and directors test.
There have been several changes to ESI’s board since then, with majority shareholder Tahnoon Nimer announcing in June that he had sold the club – which he bought for just £1 – to Manchester-based businessman Paul Elliott. But Companies House still lists him as a director.
A remote court hearing on 17th July found that former chairman Matt Southall had unlawfully changed the status of ESI directors and was subsequently fined £21,000 for his actions.
Furthermore, it was confirmed that Elliott’s ‘takeover’ of ESI is not complete and is still subject to EFL approval.
It was thought by Jim White on TalkSport that Varney and Barclay were no longer speaking to Duchatelet to try and get a deal done. However, Barclay confirmed via social media that he remains interested in buying the Championship side regardless of what division they’ll be in next season.
Barclay tweeted on the morning of Charlton’s final game of the 2019/20 season against Champions Leeds United: “I wish Lee Bowyer and the team all the best for the game at Leeds this evening”
“Whatever the outcome, our interest in acquiring The Valley, Training Ground and Club remains.”
He and Varney’s interest in the club has been met with support from the Charlton fanbase, as they’ve expressed a desire and a sense of care for the club as well as frustration towards the EFL and the current owners for the handling of the situation.
The Addicks were relegated last Wednesday after Barnsley’s last-gasp winner against Brentford saw them climb out of the bottom three by just one point.
