I’m a football club owner who launched my own newspaper and starred in Netflix show… now I’m trying to get promotion

CHARLIE METHVEN is arguably best known for his cringe-worthy antics on Netflix.

But now the former journalist is hoping to write a new blockbuster script in his latest football project.

Methven, 47, rose to fame during his infamous spell as co-owner of Sunderland.

The blundering PR consultant, who was educated at Eton and the University of Oxford, came in for criticism for his behaviour in the Sunderland 'Til I Die documentary.

That included his iconic executive meeting to discuss PA music and his attempt at an inspirational rousing speech at the Stadium of Light.

He stepped down as the Black Cats' executive director in December 2019 after a series of struggles and controversies - including calling fans watching illegal streams of matches "parasites".

But Methven was making waves in the media world a long time before his sudden rise to stardom on Netflix.

The reporter wrote for Sporting Life, The Daily Telegraph, The Spectator and the Evening Standard.

But in 2005, he launched The Sportsman, a daily horseracing and gambling title and the first new UK national newspaper in 19 years.

The following year, though, it ran out of funds and folded.

Methven went on to have a communications firm which had Tottenham and the Kingdom of Bahrain on its clientele list.

The Oxford United fan is back in football now, though, after he teamed up with investors at SE7 Partners to take over Charlton Athletic.

And the Addicks' new owner is insistent he is not at The Valley for some quick cash - but instead is desperate to see Dean Holden's South Londoners promoted back into the Championship this season.

Methven said: "I understand why people will say that because it was our model at Sunderland – but that was a very different ownership group.

“The situation here is very different because the rest of my ownership group is very wealthy – at least the larger shareholders are – and really the increase in capital value from moving from League One to the Championship wouldn’t really be of any financial interest to them.

"Really this project is more about passion.

“They are successful people and successful investors and they want to be successful.

“But if we were to get promoted this season, do I then envisage we would sell the club the next season? Absolutely not.

“Absolutely there is no intention for that to be the case.

“I would put this as a five-year minimum project.”