CHARLTON Fans’ Forum member Geoff Billingsley believes a potential takeover led by Peter Varney will come as a major boost to the club’s long-suffering supporters.

The Forum were due to host a meeting between 300 supporters and the club’s two chairmen, Richard Murray and Derek Chappell, tomorrow evening at The Valley.

However, the event was postponed yesterday after both men were advised not to comment publicly until the long drawn out takeover finally goes through.

News Shopper columnist My Billingsley said: “I was obviously disappointed at first to postpone the meeting but it was called off for an excellent reason.

“The Forum had worked extremely hard to put this all together but supporters should be reassured the meeting will still go ahead as soon as it is possible to do so.

“Like all Charlton fans, I’m just hoping it does all go through.

“There are bound to be funds made available to Phil Parkinson spend and the number one priority should be to make those funds available quickly.

“The fans have had to be very patient this summer because there hasn’t been much news coming out of the club, but this is bound to give them some confidence.”

Parkinson’s long-term future has been the subject of non-stop speculation this summer and although still not convinced he is the right man for the job, Mr Billingsley believes he should be given a chance to prove his worth.

He explained: “If this deal had gone through a couple of weeks ago then we may very well have been looking for a new manager.

“But the fact it is now close to the start of the season means Phil will be allowed to show what he can do in League One.

“I personally don’t believe he was the right man to be given the job last December but we really need now is a period of stability.

“If Phil can get off a flying start on the pitch then he could well still prove to be a wise appointment.

“However, if he doesn’t start well, then I don’t think the new regime will be afraid to make a quick decision and look elsewhere for a new manager.

“It will be interesting to see exactly what happens.”