Share boost to Curbishley kitty

Alan Curbishley looks set to see his transfer kitty boosted after Charlton announced a share issue which is expected to raise £5.525m (€8.3m).

The Addicks have already committed themselves to an outlay of £3m (€4.5m) this summer by signing England U21 striker Darren Bent from Ipswich, and Curbishley is keen to recruit at least three more new faces before the start of pre-season training next month.

The Charlton manager is desperate to avoid another disappointing end to a campaign, as his side faded from UEFA Cup contention to finish 11th last season following a run of just one victory from their final 14 Barclays Premiership games.

The new share issue has been underwritten by existing directors and shareholders and a new investor, Derek Chappell, who will be appointed as a non-executive director to the board.

The news was announced to the Stock Exchange on the day Curbishley celebrated 10 years in charge at The Valley, and Curbishley admits he did not expect to be at the helm so long.

“I set myself a timescale of a couple of seasons, I think most managers do not really look beyond that anyway,” the Charlton boss recalled.