Charlton chief executive Storrie expecting to step down once takeover completes and clear on transfer budget plans

Peter Storrie is expecting to step down as chief executive once SE7 Partners complete their acquisition of Charlton Athletic.

The former Portsmouth and West Ham supremo was brought in when American Marc Spiegel entered into a period of exclusivity with Addicks owner Thomas Sandgaard in February.

But Spiegel was unable to push through a deal and SE7 Partners, set to be bankrolled largely by the funds of Joshua Friedman and Gabriel Brener, signed a sales purchase agreement with Sandgaard on Sunday night.

SE7 Partners lists former Sunderland co-owner Charlie Methven and Ed Warrick as shareholders on Companies House. Methven brokered the deal when it initially came together in December, with an exclusivity period following which then led to a raft of appointments – including bringing in Dean Holden as boss.

Warrick took on a role of finance director with Andy Scott (technical director) and Jim Rodwell (COO) all arriving as well. But only Holden remained in his post when the talks broke down.

Asked about his own future, Storrie told BBC Radio London: “It was six weeks initially and Thomas asked me to extend it on. My job now is to oversee the process of getting the approval through with the EFL.

“At the end of that period, Charlie will have his own people coming into the club and I assume my time at the club will end at that moment. I’ve really enjoyed the time there – the fans and staff have been fantastic with me. We’ve given it a good base and it will be really good for someone to take forward.

“I was saying to my wife yesterday that it would’ve been nice, having restructured it, to see it through and try and get the club promoted. But new owners come in and they have their own people. I was only ever going to be temporary at the beginning, so I will wish everyone well in however many weeks it is.”

There have been questions asked about how the takeover situation affects Charlton’s transfer plans.

A bid has been made for Cheltenham’s prolific attacker Alfie May.

Storrie said: “From day one of this process, Thomas looking to bring a new owner into the club, what we did agree from day one, from everybody who was in the discussions at that time, was a budget for next season – which included increasing the players’ payroll within the club and the targets and type of squad Dean wanted to put forward for next season. That has not changed through any of these discussions, through anyone.

“The budget that has already been approved by all parties, you have a top-class manager in Dean Holden who I think will do so well in taking the club forward.

“The budget is there. It won’t change, as far as I understand, it has been approved by everybody. We know our targets and we’ve been working on them and hopefully in the course of the next week or two you will see some faces coming through. Bear in mind the transfer window doesn’t open until June 14. And obviously all the out of contract players are not (free agents) until the end of June.

“Although we’re in discussions a lot of things will happen in the next few weeks.”

The full interview with Storrie can be heard here:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0fncfjt

PICTURE: PAUL EDWARDS