Championship Charlton formally announce takeover by Paul Elliott days before vital match

Charlton have formally announced their new owner as Hammersmith-born Manchester property owner Paul Elliott.

The high flyer issued a statement this morning saying his priority will be to “giving ourselves the best opportunity of staying in the Championship”.

Previous owner Tahnoon Nimer has also issued a statement through the club saying: “I have made the difficult decision, having received advise, and listening to fans wishes, to hand the club over.”

His decision brings to an end a turbulent five months in which former agent Matt Southall, pictured with manager Lee Bowyer, jointly took over the club with Nimer at the start of January, having bought it for £1 – but not The Valley or the club’s training ground.

Nimer added: “You will be aware of the recent boardroom events, which, with this announcement, we can now put behind us.

“I would like to reassure you all that I have, at all times, sought to do all that is right for our club and its fans.

“I have made the decision to ensure the club is in the best position to move forward and re-establish itself into football’s elite.”

Elliott takes over with the club two points from safety but scheduled to play against the club one place above them, Hull, in a contest on June 20 which will have a massive bearing on who will stay up.

He heads a consortium put together by lawyer Chris Farnell, who was also involved in deals for Swansea and Leeds and acted on behalf of Sheffield United amid the Tevez affair in 2008.

There remain other interested buyers, including the Addicks’ former chief executive Peter Varney who is in talks with Elliott to bring in investor Andrew Barclay – former owner of the Ritz.

Elliott added: “On behalf of the consortium I am delighted to have been given this opportunity to take ownership of Charlton Athletic. I recognise this club means so much to its fans and I will take the responsibility very seriously.

“I will be looking to ensure the stability of the club moving forward so we can look to put behind us the recent boardroom events and concentrate on building a unified boardroom and a unified football club.

“I know that this club has passionate fans and we will need every bit of that passion, together with determination and hard work of everyone at the club as we restart this season. Our immediate focus will be on getting behind the team and the Manager and giving ourselves the best opportunity of staying in the Championship.”

The club’s website states Hammersmith-born Elliott started with a property management company which he then turned into a large portfolio of flats and offices.

The statement adds: “The club has been in touch with the EFL and will now meet with the league to begin the process of finalising the change of control including matters relating to the Owners’ and Directors’ Test.”