Lee Bowyer: I could have left Charlton Athletic – but I chose to stay and help the fight
BY RICHARD CAWLEY
Lee Bowyer has pledged to stay at Charlton Athletic – despite the Championship side being in the middle of a boardroom dispute that has left doubts over long-term funding.
Majority shareholder Tahnoon Nimer has withdrawn his funding until executive chairman Matt Southall has been removed.
Southall has told Charlton Athletic Supporters’ Trust that there is funding until December without another penny arriving from Nimer.
It leaves an uncertain future – but manager Bowyer is not going anywhere.
He was the subject of interest from Cardiff City, Huddersfield Town and Stoke City earlier in the campaign.
“I could have gone – everybody know that there were approaches for me,” he said. “In January we had this situation with the transfer embargo and I could’ve gone.
“Everyone was saying Lee is delaying [signing a new three-year contract]…Lee is delaying – it was because I wanted to know there was backing and once I found out we were under that embargo I had a decision to make.
“Plain and simple – either I walk away or I stay here and fight. I chose to sign a new contract. The club is not in a good place now, I wanted to stay and try and keep the club in the division.”
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We don’t deserve a loyal guy like Lee Bowyer and Matt Mouthall certa6 does not.
If we survive we should erect a statue to Lee.
Charlton fans you have my sympathy,as a Leeds fan l’ve been there.ln Lee Bowyer you have honest and loyal football man who is a legend at Leeds who can only be admired.One day l hope he`s back at Elland Road.
Lee Bowyer i bloody love you, what a LOYAL, HONEST and TRUSTWORTHY man you are, if only we had owners befitting our managers description!
If only Lee and robbo could afford to own the club, good honest, loyal men who have Charlton at heart.
I can only say thanks Lee for staying and doing your best for CAFC 💪
Lee God only know where we would be without you and your backroom team. What a honest and loyal man you are to Charlton and the fans thank you for that. I hope and Pray things turn out right for us all.
Good luck to all the Charlton faithful. As a Leeds fan I can totally relate to your boardroom plight, it’s never ending..
Bow is a legend up here and much loved, I hope it turns around for all of you..
The fans the team and the manager is what makes a club, that is evident at the valley and when we had out day at Wembley
I will still go every chance I get to this wonderful club.. As I have done since I 1981.. Charlton athletic is so much more than two people with money. They should be respectful and professional at the moment Southall and Nimer both fall below par as professionals and are wrong to bring this tit for tat behaviour to the public eye.. I wish they could mediate and move on
As a Dutch Charlton fan for 40 years now, I can only say we have had a lot of lows, but this is another big one. Lee Bowyer will however be a high for ever and ever. As all the fans, love him. Thanks Lee COYR