Peter Varney: Nathan Jones has worked miracles to get Charlton Athletic promoted - now squad needs surgery

Former Addicks chief executive on the Championship challenge that lies ahead

Former Charlton Athletic chief executive Peter Varney reckons that Nathan Jones has worked “miracles” to get the SE7 outfit into the Championship - and urged patience as they look to bed into their new surroundings.

The 71-year-old has been a supporter of the Addicks since the age of six, attending his first match in February 1960 with his father.

Varney joined his boyhood club, initially as managing director in 1997, with Alan Curbishley’s side winning an epic encounter against Sunderland, prevailing on penalties, to dramatically win promotion to the English top flight in 1998 at the old Wembley.

Varney was chief executive when Charlton stormed to the old Division One title in the 1999-2000 season as they bounced back to the Premier League at the first attempt.

He returned as executive vice chairman in January 2011 to help mastermind wholesale changes to the Addicks playing squad - including the appointment of Chris Powell as manager. A meticulously-planned summer transfer window was executed to perfection. Charlton finished top of the pile in League One with 101 points.

Peter Varney at The Valley

Varney knows all about how you have to swiftly switch from the hangover of those promotion celebrations to the headache of the new challenge that lies ahead.

Jones is intent on moving swiftly and decisively this off-season to strengthen his squad.

Charlton have completed one transfer since the summer transfer window opened - sealing an agreement to sign Blackpool attacking midfielder Sonny Carey when his contract expires at the end of this month.

But that is just one piece of a jigsaw containing plenty of pieces.

“When you don’t know what league you are in then what you should do is have two lists,” Varney told South London Sport: Charlton Athletic Edition. “You should have plan A and plan B. The problem is most players will have committed their future in the January, because if they are out of contract or looking to leave, they don’t really want to go on holiday in June with their future not tied up.