RICHARD MURRAY, Charlton's plc chairman, defended the controversial £4 million sale of skipper Andy Reid to Sunderland after the Wearsiders made an offer the club could not refuse.

The Republic of Ireland international midfielder signed a three-and-a-half year contract before Thursday’s closure of the January transfer window.

Reid joined the Addicks from Tottenham for £3 million in August, 2006. He was appointed captain at the start of the season and became a huge crowd favourite.

In moving to Sunderland he is believed to have signed a contract worth more than four and a half times his basic wage at Charlton.

The majority of supporters at Scunthorpe on Saturday backed the board’s decision, even though Reid was favourite to win the coveted Player of the Year award.

Should Charlton fail to win promotion, the board are braced for a backlash from supporters who are certain to point to the sale of arguably their best player at a crucial time.

Mr Murray said: “The fact is that when a Premier League club come knocking for one of your players it is virtually impossible to turn them down because of the vast sums of money involved.

“We didn’t want to lose Andy but the club and the player were made offers they could not refuse. We regard the deal as excellent business for the club.”