Inside EFL club’s abandoned 40,000-seater stadium plan with ex-Premier League side now forced to rent ground

IT’S been a tale of rags to riches and back again.

In the 80s and 90s a London club’s stadium was abandoned for seven years as they struggled to maintain second tier status.

However, they would then turn things around after a move back home and work their way up to the Premier League.

Seven uninterrupted seasons in the top flight would lead to stadium expansion plans, with the club holding the ambition of building a ground to accommodate 40,000 spectators.

However, relegation in 2007 led to a slump in fortunes, spell after spell of unpopular ownership and ultimately a descent to the third tier.

Last term they averaged crowds of just 13,000 in a stadium which boasts a 27,111 capacity, as they slumped to a disappointing 16th-place finish.

Their current malaise is a far-cry from the heady days of the early-2000s under Alan Curbishley, when they became Premier League mainstays.

Under Curbs, the Addicks were in the top-flight for seven consecutive years, which led to frequent sell-outs at South London’s biggest stadium.

Charlton had been forced to abandon their traditional Valley home after more than 60 years in 1985, with the site falling into disrepair.

After strong campaigning from fans, which even included standing in local council elections, the Addicks returned in 1992 following seven years spent primarily at Selhurst Park, and latterly Upton Park.

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By this point Curbishley had already taken over, with the former Charlton midfielder transforming his side’s fortunes on the pitch.

As the South Londoners rose, so did demand for tickets.

In November 2004, chief executive Peter Varney confirmed Charlton’s ambitious plans.

He said: “The application will seek approval for the redevelopment of the east stand and the south-east corner of the ground to take the capacity of The Valley to 30,900.

“Our intention is also to lodge an outline design for the remaining development of the stadium – principally the south stand – at the same time and to declare our intention to ultimately raise the capacity of The Valley to 40,600.”

Permission was granted the following year, but after Charlton’s relegation in 2007, the plans fell by the wayside.

Despite Roland Duchatelet selling the Addicks in 2020 following years of fan protests, the Belgian still owns their Valley home and training ground.

In 2021, Charlton agreed a 15-year lease to rent The Valley, as well as their Sparrows Lane training facilities.

Co-owner Charlie Methven, formerly of Sunderland, recently referenced the situation while appearing on the Business of Sport podcast.

He said: “I think having a long-term resolution over the tenure of the stadium is really important.

“That’s a matter of commercial negotiation with the current landlord. Everything is possible, but it’s a commercial negotiation that is confidential.

“If you are talking about things that keeps me up at night it is long-term security of tenure at The Valley. One of the great historic stadiums, one of the last remaining that feel like themselves.”