'Addicks Back Owner Has To Back Karl To Hilt'

Curbs Says Valley Peace Pact Will Last If Robinson Can Run Show

- Chris Dunlavy

CHARLTON legend Alan Curbishley has warned Addicks owner Roland Duchatelet to back Karl Robinson in the transfer market – or face the wrath of supporters.

Curbishley, 60, spent 15 years in charge at The Valley, dragging the club from death’s door to a highest-ever finish of seventh in the Premier League. He departed in 2006, sparking a decade of decline that currently sees Charlton languishing in League One under the yoke of the unpopular Duchatelet.

Like every Addicks fan, Curbishley watched in dismay as the Belgian hired a succession of players and managers from ‘partner clubs’ in Europe’s lower leagues.

All proved unfit for purpose, with angry supporters holding several demonstrations against Duchatelet and his sidekick, Katrien Meire.

Initially, the appointment of Robinson in October 2016 did little to quell unrest. Last season, both fixtures against Coventry City were delayed as fans threw plastic pigs onto the pitch.

In March, a 300strong delegation travelled to Sint-Truiden, a Belgian club whose fans are also seething at Duchatelet’s ownership.

But a summer of modest rebuilding and a berth in League One’s top six has, for now, settled the natives.

Curbishley, though, says Duchatelet must not become complacent.

“The main thing is that the owner has picked someone who understands the division and knows what it takes to be successful,” said Curbishley, who was speaking at an event to promote Prostate Cancer UK’s Football to Amsterdam bike ride. “We’ve had lots of managers go in there who didn’t understand the league, had never been there before and had to spend months getting to grips with it.

“Karl was good to go, and you’ve seen the difference.