Leeds United are back in the npower Championship, but what is perhaps more important for sustainable success is that they are back on an even financial keel after many years of difficulty and disappointment.
Leeds United are back in the npower Championship, but what is perhaps more important for sustainable success is that they are back on an even financial keel after many years of difficulty and disappointment.
This article takes as in depth a look as I have seen anywhere at the merchandising side of a club’s operations. Leeds have a big fan base and turned over £1 million just in December last year, more than Premiership clubs might do in a season. In the last financial year merchandise sales increased from £1.45m to £4.9m, showing how success on the pitch can translate into sales off it.
Leeds are estimated to be in the top seven or eight clubs for shirt sales in the country. In the last financial year it was merchandise sales that turned an operating loss of £1.6m into a profit of £15,000. Success in the Championship should give a further boost to sales.