STUART Butler-Gallie has been appointed an independent non-executive director on the newly re-formed board of Charlton Athletic.

Mr Butler-Gallie has been legal adviser for club for 12 years, but having grown up in Bexleyheath he has been a long time supporter of the club.

He also acts for Vertex Law as Charlton’s company secretary and accepted an invitation to join the board, which has been restructured to streamline the club’s operations.

The move coincides with the recently announced investment by Mr Butler-Gallie’s fellow directors of a total of £7 million in the club, a move which has ensured its financial stability for the remainder of the 2009/10 season.

Mr Butler-Gallie said: “It is critical that the success the team is experiencing at long last on the pitch is matched by financial stability and good corporate governance in the board room.

“I am delighted to be able to work more closely with each of those directors who, yet again, have shown their support and commitment to the club by making this additional investment in order to help secure the club’s long term success.”

Charlton plc chairman Richard Murray said: “We’re very pleased Stuart is joining the board as a non-executive director.

“He has been our corporate lawyer for many years and knows the workings of the club inside out.

“His skillset will be a great addition to the board in providing it with a truly independent voice.”