Murray Gains Full Charlton Control

It's been announced that Richard Murray has agreed a deal to take sole control of Charlton Athletic.

Murray has agreed terms with plc board directors and bondholders for the purchase of shares in Charlton Athletic Football Company Ltd and Charlton Athletic Holdings Ltd and is now looking to inject some much needed investment into the club.

His statement on The Official Website read: "This has been a critical time for the club. Our future was uncertain, and financially this was potentially one of our darkest hours.

"However, agreement has been reached with my fellow directors for me to take sole control of the club through what is effectively a management buyout (MBO) of the plc subsidiaries. The new money I am injecting into the club will ensure we go into the new season with a competitive team.

"I shall be appointing a new interim board of directors, and we will now go forward and actively seek new investment.

"To assist with this, I am appointing Tim Fisher, of Calimere Point, to work with me on devising an investment strategy for the club. Calimere Point has played a key role in this agreement, and I thank them for their sound management of the MBO process.

"Chief executive Stephen Kavanagh provided key support throughout this time of uncertainty, and Steve and I will work very closely going forward. I would also like to thank Stuart Butler-Gallie, the plc's independent non-executive director, for his efforts in reaching this agreement.

"There is still a lot of work to be done. We will need the approval of the shareholders of Charlton Athletic plc, which will be sought at an Extraordinary Meeting of shareholders, which is likely to take place in early August.

"I am very grateful to Derek Chappell, Sir Maurice Hatter, David Hughes, David Sumners, Steven Ward, David White and Bob Whitehand that, together with me, they have agreed to restructure and reduce the company debt, which in itself should make the club highly attractive to potential investors.

"This is a tremendous gesture on their part and I am grateful to each and every one of them for their past support and for the action they are taking now in the interests of the football club they all love."

This move, as far as Murray is concerned is a move forward for the club and is done to secure our long-term future, adding: "I would like to reassure all our supporters that this is an immensely positive forward step and an important part of the process of rebuilding our club. For my part, I will work tirelessly to achieve future success for the club.

"This is a pivotal point in the club's history and we need our fans to passionately support the team, as they have done in recent years, and join us in taking forward the club we all care so much about."

Is this finally the really good news that we've been waiting for?

What is the thought among the Addicks followers on this site on Richard Murray assuming full control of Charlton? Share these feelings below so we can discuss them.

Click here to join in the debate on the club forum.