Curbishley given funds for the summer

The Charlton Athletic plc chairman, Richard Murray, has confirmed the club will launch an unprecedented summer spending spree to compete with other top-half Premiership sides in the club's centenary season.

Murray would not confirm precise figures but the amount available to spend is understood to be at least £12m. That figure comes from Scott Parker's £10m sale to Chelsea, the £800,000 sell-on cut of Jermain Defoe's move from West Ham to Tottenham and part of the £7m Charlton are set to receive in the Premier League's final position pay-outs.

"I can say significant funds will be available to Alan [Curbishley] in the close-season to strengthen the squad," Murray said. "That's a position which will not be enjoyed by many other Premiership clubs."

Urging supporters to snap up 2004-05 season tickets, which went on sale yesterday, Murray added: "The fans can demonstrate they share Alan and the directors' belief in the club by renewing their season tickets at the earliest opportunity."