The Peter Varney diaries: Iain Dowie's appointment as Charlton Athletic boss - which sparked court battle with Simon Jordan - and why boardroom table has dent in it

Former Addicks chief executive provides inside story on bitter dispute and where it went wrong in 2006-07 Premier League season

Every month South London Sport: Charlton Athletic Edition is catching up with Peter Varney, the club’s former chief executive and a boyhood fan of the club, to get his tales and inside info from when he was in a key position of responsibility in SE7.

In this third instalment, Varney talks about the appointment of Iain Dowie as Addicks manager and how that led to a courtroom setting with then Crystal Palace owner Simon Jordan, left raging at the conduct of his former boss.

Plus we find out who put a dent in the boardroom table at The Valley.

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WE WERE THE INNOCENT PARTY IN DOWIE-JORDAN COURT BATTLE - EX-PALACE BOSS WAS NEVER ON MY SHORTLIST TO REPLACE ALAN CURBISHLEY

Iain Dowie was appointed as Charlton Athletic boss in 2006 but the press conference to announce his appointment saw him served with a writ by Simon Jordan. Jordan had waived £1million in compensation to allow Dowie to leave Crystal Palace so he could secure a job nearer to his family home in the north. Ten days later and Dowie had succeeded Alan Curbishley in SE7. Dowie was found guilty at a high court case of "fraudulent representations" in June 2007 and ordered to pay Palace’s legal bill of £400,000. Charlton chairman Richard Murray and chief executive Peter Varney were called to give evidence.

Iain Dowie had a short-lived spell as Charlton Athletic boss - but his appointment had longer-reaching legal ramifications

Picture: Keith Gillard

Let’s just wind back a little bit. In terms of Curbs leaving, I had no inkling that was on the cards, at all.