Charlton Athletic owner outlines spending approach in League One this season

Thomas Sandgaard is confident that Charlton Athletic will be in the promotion picture in League One this season.

And the US-based Danish businessman, who acquired the football club in September, has made it clear that they will not be “massive” spenders.

Charlton have strengthened their squad with the permanent signing of Jayden Stockley, for an undisclosed fee from Preston, and also picked up George Dobson on a free transfer after he was paid up by Sunderland.

The Addicks agreed a fresh loan for Akin Famewo, with the option to buy the Norwich City centre-back.

Craig MacGillivray, Portsmouth’s Player of the Season in the previous campaign, has also arrived to replace Ben Amos, recently picked up by Wigan Athletic.

Sandgaard told Charlton’s website: “This season we’re going to do our utmost to get promoted, get back in the Championship and further up is important.

“And the way we’re doing it is not by throwing a massive amount of money after everything we possibly can. No, we just invest a little more than we did last year. Now we’ll have fans back in the stadium, that will be important for everybody – just to have that home field advantage. Hopefully it will give us that few extra points we need.

“It’s also important to recognise where we’re at – invest more and be smarter than we were last season; whether it is recruiting for the first team, whether it is investing a little more in improving the grass here at The Valley, investing in the academy or even all the investments we are making on the women’s side.

“I’m looking to improve or maintain on every position [in the squad]. That should put us in a good position to at least reach the play-offs, if not automatic promotion.”