Addicks connect with Belgian side

Last updated : 24 November 2005 By Editor

The deal with Belgian Cup holders Germinal Beerschot Antwerpen is the latest linking the Addicks with clubs across the world, from the New Zealand Knights, Finland's MyPa 47 and China's Shanghai Zobon.

Peter Varney, Charlton's chief executive, told today's Daily Telegraph the agreement forms a very important part of the club's overseas strategy, but it is going to be the last collaboration for the time being.

"The Belgian league is ideal for players not quite ready for the challenge of the English Premiership, and enables players to obtain a sound grounding in professional football of a high standard. Beerschot have a very impressive stadium and the atmosphere for games is quite special."

Last month, a Belgian government delegation spent two days in England and visited The Valley for the Premiership match against Bolton. Els van Weert, the Belgian Secretary of State for Social Economy and Sustainable Development, was recently interviewed on Belgian national television and hailed the Addicks as the leaders in community work throughout Europe.