CHARLTON ATHLETIC have been taken over by their third owner of 2020, with businessman Paul Elliott taking the reigns at the Championship club.
The Manchester-based businessman will now become new chairman after his consortium took over previous owners East Street Investments.
The Addicks have now had as many owners as wins in 2020Credit: PA:Empics Sport
ESI themselves had only taken over in January, when they finally ended the incredibly unpopular ownership of Roland Duchatelet.
But a public rift between majority shareholder Tahnoon Nimer and executive chairman Matt Southall quickly put a strain on the club’s new ownership.
ESI have an agreement in place to buy The Valley and the club’s training ground from Duchatelet at a later date as part of the January deal.
The Addicks have confirmed that they are “in touch” with the EFL to finalise the club’s change of control.
Property magnate Elliott shrugged off rumoured interest from former Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins, and has quickly sought to galvanise supporters.
He wrote on the club’s website: “This club has passionate fans and we will need every bit of that passion together with determination and hard work of everyone at the club as we restart this season.
“Our immediate focus will be on getting behind the team and the manager and giving ourselves the best opportunity of staying in the Championship.”
The unpopular ownership of Roland Duchatalet was only ended in JanuaryCredit: Corbis – Getty
Lee Bowyer’s side will now have had as many owners as wins in 2020, having triumphed in just three of their 13 matches since the turn of the year.
Sitting 22nd in the second-tier with nine games remaining, there will be no time to ease back into the swing of things as they travel to 21st-placed Hull City on Saturday week in their first game back.
And they will have to do so without key striker Lyle Taylor, after the soon-to-be out-of-contract No9 refused to return to training over fears that an injury could spoil an upcoming move for himself.
The Addicks will have to try and make do without key No9 Lyle TaylorCredit: PA:Empics Sport
League One and Two playoffs set for this month with Championship set for end of July
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
