It was a huge relief for staff at The Valley on Thursday to learn that their wages had been paid.‎ Hopefully, things will start to settle down behind the scenes.

In normal times, the last games of the normal EFL season would be played this weekend. Up and down the country there would have been plenty of emotion. Fans celebrating promotion, others crestfallen after suffering relegation.

A year ago, a last day thumping of‎ Rochdale at The Valley saw Charlton finish third, and face Doncaster in the play-offs.

Who can forget that Friday night of high drama at The Valley? Or the ecstasy of snatching that late, late winner at Wembley to seal promotion back to the Championship?

After a good start, things did not go so well this time around though. Ownership squabbles, added to the team’s indifferent form on the pitch, have made it a pretty miserable season for Addicks fans.

A 1-0 home reverse to Middlesbrough at the beginning of March, saw the team drop into the relegation places for the first time.

But things may not be so gloomy after all. The chances of the season recommencing are more-or-less zero, so the club look vulnerable to make a swift return to League One.

But there are gathering rumours on social media that the EFL are planning to promote the top three clubs in each division with no relegation.

It would require the co-operation of the Premier League – they would have to run with a 23 club set up next season – but would probably be the fairest and most popular solution.

It would certainly be popular in SE7!