Inside EFL club’s abandoned 40,000-seater stadium plan with ex-Premier League side now forced to rent ground

IT'S been a tale of rags to riches and back again.

In the 80s and 90s a London club's stadium was abandoned for seven years as they struggled to maintain second tier status.

However, they would then turn things around after a move back home and work their way up to the Premier League.

Seven uninterrupted seasons in the top flight would lead to stadium expansion plans, with the club holding the ambition of building a ground to accommodate 40,000 spectators.

However, relegation in 2007 led to a slump in fortunes, spell after spell of unpopular ownership and ultimately a descent to the third tier.

Last term they averaged crowds of just 13,000 in a stadium which boasts a 27,111 capacity, as they slumped to a disappointing 16th-place finish.

Their current malaise is a far-cry from the heady days of the early-2000s under Alan Curbishley, when they became Premier League mainstays.

Under Curbs, the Addicks were in the top-flight for seven consecutive years, which led to frequent sell-outs at South London's biggest stadium.

Charlton had been forced to abandon their traditional Valley home after more than 60 years in 1985, with the site falling into disrepair.

After strong campaigning from fans, which even included standing in local council elections, the Addicks returned in 1992 following seven years spent primarily at Selhurst Park, and latterly Upton Park.

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By this point Curbishley had already taken over, with the former Charlton midfielder transforming his side's fortunes on the pitch.

As the South Londoners rose, so did demand for tickets.