Charlton Athletic takeover: We intend to do everything within our power to bring back a true sense of pride to Charlton Athletic Football Club which is the least the fans, future generations of supporters and the community deserve

It’s the day that long-suffering Charlton Athletic supporters have been waiting for – Roland Duchatelet has finally sold the club!

 

The Championship club announced the news that East Street Investments have taken over on their website www.cafc.co.uk at 09:05 and shortly afterwards the website crashed!

“We are proud and delighted to announce East Street Investments have agreed the purchase of Charlton Athletic Football Club,” said new chairman Matt Southall.

“We are privileged to take ownership of such an historic club and it is incredibly exciting to be part of the process of building a fresh future for the fans, loyal club staff and players of Charlton Athletic.

“While we may be the club owners, truly we are only the custodians. The true spirit of this football club rests with the fans, it is nothing without them.

“Their support throughout some difficult times both recently and in the past has been inspirational and we intend to build on that loyalty. Our priority will be immediate contact with fan groups in order that their views play a major role in the club going forward.

“We believe the football side of the club is in excellent hands with Lee Bowyer and what he and the players have achieved following promotion has been outstanding. We will do everything possible to support Lee’s vision and ambitions.

“We would like to thank Roland Duchatelet, his team and the directors for helping to facilitate a quick and smooth sale. They leave the club with solid foundations on which we can invest and build.

“Any deal of this kind is subject to the approval of the EFL and we are now working closely with them on the final details to satisfy their Owners’ and Directors’ Test. Until that has been received, we will be making no further comment.

“But please be assured we intend to do everything within our power to bring back a true sense of pride to Charlton Athletic Football Club which is the least the fans, future generations of supporters and the community deserve.”

INTRODUCING CHARLTON ATHLETIC’S NEW OWNERS:

MATT SOUTHALL (Chairman)

For the past five years, Matt has been working between the UK and Middle East advising on international mergers and acquisitions and building strong relationships with key businesses in the Gulf.

Previously, he set up and ran a successful e-commerce business and was also involved in sports management, working alongside high profile sports agencies and their clients. 

His early ambitions were as a professional footballer but having left the Blackburn Rovers School of Excellence at 16, he opted for a career in the sports industry and attended the University of Manchester where he was awarded a Masters in Business Administration.

HIS EXCELLENCY TAHNOON NIMER (Director)

H.E Tahnoon Nimer is the Chairman of Abu Dhabi Business Development, the private office of Sheikh Saeed Bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, and oversees the running of more than 60 companies including energy, insurance, broadcasting, shipping and sports businesses.

He has strong ties with governments and multi-nationals across the globe and has a track record of supporting emerging businesses. In 2018, he was named as a Global Ambassador for Peace.

His Excellency is the majority shareholder in East Street Investments through his Abu Dhabi based corporation, Panorama Magic General Contracting LLC, and will form part of the new Charlton Athletic board.

JONATHAN HELLER (Director)

Jonathan is the Chief Executive Officer of Abu Dhabi Business Development having established a consultancy advising large multi-national pension sponsors which broadened into a global financial advisory.

He held prominent positions in the UK nuclear industry and served as Secretary-General of the European Atomic Forum before becoming Head of European Development for Prudential Investments.

Charlton Athletic, who are in seventeenth-place in the Championship with 23 points from 18 games, host tenth-placed Sheffield Wednesday at The Valley tomorrow, 12:30pm kick-off.

Visit Charlton Athletic’s website: www.cafc.co.uk