PHIL Parkinson and Kenny Jackett say they are satisfied the amount of money paid by Charlton and Millwall to agents last season was justified.

Figures released by the Football League earlier this week showed the agents pocketed £123,490 from the Addicks in 2009-10, while the Lions forked out £99,678.

It was the Lions of course who ultimately won promotion but despite the figures appearing excessive to supporters, both managers were keen to clarify exactly what is involved when asked by News Shopper.

Jacket explained: “In the lower divisions in particular you do budget for agents’ fees.

“If we are after player X, we have a package we can afford for that player and an agent’s fee is catered for within that package.

“We haven’t paid over the top for any player and then subsequently to his agent.

“It is at times part of the package which is necessary to get the player that you need.”

Parkinson said: “First of all, it isn’t really my department paying agents but all I will say on that one is sometimes it isn’t all through the club, it is paid through the player’s contract.

“We agree a deal with a player which we are quite happy to pay and the player out of that deal has got to pay the agent.

“It is an overall package which gets agreed at the start and then the agent, who usually has an agreement with the player, gets a certain percentage which comes off that package we are happy to pay the player, so t is often not an additional figure.”

Bearing in mind their respective positions this season, Jackett and Parky both accept there are likely to be changes in the figures over the next 12 months.

Millwall can expect to pay an even higher sum now they are in the Championship, while Parkinson anticipates a smaller budget this time around will ensure Charlton’s total will go down.

“I should imagine so,” the Addicks chief said. “I don’t think we were the highest in the division and it isn’t the case that Charlton are excessive in what they pay.”

Jackett added: “Our overall budget has increased but only because of the increased television revenue you get from the Championship compared to League One.

“With that overall budget we have been diligent and considered in what we’ve done.

“We haven’t splashed a lot of money around in either division by comparative standards and we will continue to be considered and diligent in our dealings.

“Agents are part of the landscape now and there is a lot of talk about whether that is good, bad or indifferent.”

Despite the widespread cynicism which exists towards player representatives, Parkinson agreed with his Millwall counterpart they are here to stay and also pointed out it might not necessarily be a bad thing.

The Charlton boss said: “There are some agents which aren’t good for the game but then there is also some good agents.

“You can fight against agents or say they are part of the game, which they are.

“We’ve also used agents and agents have helped us along the way, so I think it goes two ways.

“You deal with the ones you trust and get on well with and the other ones you obviously don’t deal with.”