Charlton legend Hales fears drop

Former Charlton striker Derek Hales is worried the Addicks could be relegated again this season.

Charlton will play in the third tier of English football for the first time since 1981 this season.

Hales, who scored more than 150 goals for Charlton, thinks life in League One will be harder than people think.

He told BBC Radio Kent: "We got ourselves in debt and we have to get some sort of side or we'll go into the fourth division."

He added: "Charlton have got some of the best supporters ever. Where would you have had 21,000 fans for a club at the bottom of the second division (Championship)?

"They were all thinking someone was going to turn it round. But it was the worst Charlton side I've seen.

"I think if you start with some sort of side this season you'd still have those fans there," Hales said.

"There are a lot of players who have left who were on too much money who have gone on free transfers.

By all accounts we're looking pretty dire. I wouldn't put my money on Charlton as promotion candidates Derek Hales

"There are some who were bought by Alan Pardew who between them, with wages and transfer fees, cost twelve million pounds.

"They were damn ordinary players, who didn't roll their sleeves up and didn't do anything for the cause, sat on the bench and the treatment table and took the money.

"We need the type of players who play for the right reasons.

"All the while we've got support we've got a chance, but we've still got to put a side on the field. By all accounts we're looking pretty dire. I wouldn't put my money on Charlton as promotion candidates."

Hales also welcomed a possible takeover thought to involve former chief executive Peter Varney.

"He's a fan, he's a lovely man. He's worked hard over the years getting Charlton where they were, stand wise, fan wise, and building a side to get into the Premiership.

"He's not looking at himself as a Messiah and wave a magic wand. He's talking to people about trying to soften this debt after the fall out from the Premiership and the Championship."