‘There might be some issues' – Championship club could be forced to leave beloved 27,111-seater stadium for third time
The club were forced to move away from the site in the mid-1980s
CAPITAL LOSS 'There might be some issues' – Championship club could be forced to leave beloved 27,111-seater stadium for third time
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CHARLTON ATHLETIC managing director Jim Rodwell has not ruled out the club leaving The Valley.
The Addicks are back in the Championship for the first time since 2020 next season.
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Nathan Jones led Charlton back to the Championship last season
Credit: PA
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The club remain uncertain on the future of their home at The Valley
Credit: PA
Nathan Jones masterminded a charge up the League One table after Christmas, eventually beating Leyton Orient in the playoff final.
But Charlton continue to be dogged by questions over the future of their South London ground.
The Valley is under the control of the club's former owner Roland Duchatelet.
He sold the club six years ago but retained ownership of the 27,111-seat stadium and the club's training ground.
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A 15-year lease was signed by the club in 2021, with 11 years remaining before it expires.
The EFL require clubs to have at least ten years left on a stadium lease.
Charlton director Rodwell admits talks are ongoing with Duchatelet over an extension.
But he did not rule out the possibility that the club could eventually have to leave the site - home to the club for most of their 106-year existence.
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He told talkSPORT: "Yes, Mr Duchatelet, or his company, do still own the stadium and training ground.
"We've made no secret of the fact we would like to buy the stadium or enter into a longer term lease on the right terms.
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"Those conversations are ongoing. We have a considerable period of time left. I know fans like certainty and so do businessmen.
'It's always a possibility [we will have to move]. I think the desire would be to stay at The Valley.
"It's a brilliant ground and great atmosphere. It's fit for purpose."
He added: "Our [lease] is getting down to [ten years], so there might be some issues there."
Charlton left The Valley between 1923 and 1924 for nearby Catford.
They played at the now-demolished Mount Stadium, before a proposed merger with Catford Southend FC fell through.
Charlton left the Valley again in 1985 after the ground fell into disrepair and the club's debts spiralled.
They ground-shared with Crystal Palace before a triumphant return to a completely renovated stadium in December 1992.
Rodwell continued: "What is The Valley actually worth? It's worth a lot to Charlton but probably not a lot to a developer.
"What else could you stick on there?
"I'm always a great believer that commercial reality would hit home.
"There's always a deal to be done there. Talks are ongoing. They have been conducted in the right spirit."
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