Big losses at Brentford

Brentford made losses of £16.7m in 2014-15, an increase of 91 per cent on the previous year, reports Beesotted Brentford.   Turnover at £9.9m was up 124 per cent.   Wages at £17.7m were over 175 per cent of turnover, the highest figure I have seen for a long time.   However, apparently there was a substantial element of bonuses for finishing 5th.

Brentford made losses of £16.7m in 2014-15, an increase of 91 per cent on the previous year, reports Beesotted Brentford.   Turnover at £9.9m was up 124 per cent.   Wages at £17.7m were over 175 per cent of turnover, the highest figure I have seen for a long time.   However, apparently there was a substantial element of bonuses for finishing 5th.

The biggest source of money was ‘drip down’ money from the Football League and Football Association at £4.1m.  Ticket sales raised £3m.   Broadcasting produced only £250,000, which I find surprising.  In my view the ‘drip down’ money actually includes a substantial element of television income which perhaps needs to be categorised differently.

The club clearly depends substantially on its owner for investment.   Even when it moves to its new stadium it could incur losses of £6m-£8m a year which are unsustainable.