Carlisle United have posted losses of over £660,000 in their latest set of accounts. This is a substantial loss for a League One club, particularly one that benefits from a lack of competition from other clubs in higher leagues. The results also demonstrate how sensitive financial results are at this level to fluctuations in attendances.
Carlisle United have posted losses of over £660,000 in their latest set of accounts. This is a substantial loss for a League One club, particularly one that benefits from a lack of competition from other clubs in higher leagues. The results also demonstrate how sensitive financial results are at this level to fluctuations in attendances.
It’s been a difficult year for the club both on and off the field with the team finishing seventeenth in League One, having dropped nine places from the previous season’s finishing position. The struggles on the field have brought an equal and direct effect on the club’s business with turnover decreasing from £4.33m to £3.54m (a reduction of £780,000).
The operating loss seen in 2011/12 of £124,329 has increased to a trading loss of £492,464 for 2012/13. The company is posting a total loss of £666,257 after amortisation and depreciation for the year 2012/13. This has led to a decrease in net assets from £3.12m to £2.45m at 30 June 2013 prompting the need to introduce funds from some of the directors during the year to maintain the cash flow and continue operations.
Match income saw a reduction of £363,000 during this year and this is mainly attributable to the lower gates. An increase of £103,000 in cup income for the season helped by the progression to round three, and subsequent home draw against Tottenham Hotspur, in the League Cup competition.
Commercial income saw a reduction of £190,000 against the previous year. There were a number of factors which affected this area of income including a poor year in the club shop, dropping numbers in match day hospitality areas and a reduction in income generated through the official website due to centralised Football League online partnership changes (betting, sponsorship, etc). Again, much of this can also be attributed to the fall in attendance figures suffered throughout the season.
Football League income also reduced by £88,000 which was caused by a reduction in centralised TV income leading to smaller distributions being made to clubs. Player transfer income dropped by £392,000 against the previous year.
The club implemented a cost reduction plan at the end of 2011/12 but, due to results and league position, further work is required which will see further cuts implemented in the office, commercial and scouting areas of the business at the mid-season point of 2012/13, with coaching and playing staff reductions planned for the close season to coincide with expiry of contracts.