Charlton Consider Stadium Move - 1/10/2006

Charlton have deferred a decision on their proposed East Stand redevelopment and are considering other stadium options according to chief executive Peter Varney. The club have been advised that against a background of rising steel prices the cost of building the new facilities could be some £20m at a time when attendances at The Valley are faltering. There are also uncertainties about planning consent for the south stand. The board was 'made aware that there are other possible stadium options which should be evaluated, even though as committed supporters they want to remain at The Valley and see it developed to its full potential.' What might the other stadium options be? One would be a move to the Olympic Stadium after its use for the 2012 games. However, that stadium is located north of the river and Spurs and West Ham are also interested. A stadium at the Dome with access to the Jubilee Line at North Greenwich might be a possibility, but although there is vacant land there it might not be available. A third possibility might be a new stadium at the transport hub at Ebbsfleet at Kent. The club has increased its presence in Kent through its successful Valley Express service and is involved in a number of community projects there. The Thames Gateway development would offer a large potential market. However, it would involve the club moving away from its South-East London base and some fans might be upset about leaving The Valley which they fought so hard to return to.