PETER VARNEY, Charlton’s chief executive, has confirmed that the club are pursuing a new main sponsor in succession to Llanera.

“We have a number of irons in the fire which are being considered,” said Mr Varney. “But I have no idea when we’ll be in a position to make an announcement.”

It seems unlikely however that Charlton, who pride themselves on being a family club, will consider offers from any of the on-line gambling companies wanting to attach themselves to football clubs.

Fears that Charlton would suffer serious financial implications from Llanera’s collapse were denied by Mr Varney.

He said: “Our debt was structured in a way that means we will not incur any losses in the current financial year.”

Llanera became the first high-profile victim of Spain’s credit squeeze, declaring insolvency after failing to meet debt payments.

Charlton signed a four-and-a-half year deal worth at least £6.6million in December, 2005 with an option to extend to 2013.

The club stress that any Charlton fans who have paid deposits for holiday homes in the lifestyle resort of Nature Caravaca de las Cruz will have their investment fully protected.