Swans announce record profits

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The benefits of Premier League membership are reflected in record profits of £15.9m announced by Swansea City FC for the six months up to the end of November 2012.   The Swans are well placed to take advantage of the new Premiership television deal.    

It is planned to increase the capacity of the council-owned Liberty Stadium from 20,599 to 32,000 and there are plans for a new training facility.   A new shirt sponsorship deal is in the offing, the Swans having bought themselves out of their deal with 32Red a year early.

Ofcom rules against Ken Bates

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Ken Bates has always been a controversial figure in English football.  Although no verified figures are available, it is believed that he has shown that it is possible to make money out of football.  But then he would argue that he effectively rescued Chelsea and then Leeds United when they were on the floor.

Everton’s dilemma illustrates a broader problem

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Everton’s 2-2 draw at White Hart Lane is a creditable result and must give them renewed hope as they face a tough end of the season with Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea still to play away from home.

Everton face a dilemma.   Everton manager David Moyes believes that earning a place in next season’s Europa League would enhance his side’s prospects of keeping their best players and make them a more attractive proposition for potential transfer targets.

Chelsea aims to be global brand

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An in depth look at Chelsea’s finances ahead of the onset of financial fair play regulations argues as its central theme that becoming a global brand is the strategy it is following to move away from being a benefactor club.

Of course, some clubs are there already, not least Manchester United and Real Madrid.   Others such as Manchester City are playing catch up.  The real key is the East Asian market and in particular that of China.

Scale of Ipswich losses raise concerns

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Concerns have been expressed about the future direction of Ipswich Town after the club recorded a loss of nearly £16m in the financial year ending June 2012. The club has found the Championship a tough competition this year with so many clubs with parachute payments or funded by wealthy owners.

Admittedly, Ipswich enjoy a benefactor in the shape of Marcus Evans who is now owed more than £72m by the club. But questions have been raised about how long his largesse can continue. There have been rumours of a £5m cut in the playing budget for next season.

Premiership footballers splash out £1bn on high risk investments

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Twelve Premiership and ex-Premiership footballers face financial ruin after they ran up £14m in losses from unregulated collective investment schemes (ucis) such as film schemes. Last year, the Financial Services Authority (as it then was) proposed a ban on selling such schemes to retail investors after it discovered that hundreds of them had lost money.

Moving beyond the burger

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Catering in UK football stadiums faces a shake up after US stadium catering provider Centerplate acquired loss-making British company, the Lindley Group. They have catering contracts at Celtic Park and White Hart Lane among other locations.

The new owners are seeking to move catering at grounds beyond the traditional cup of Bovril (not that many people drink that any more), the lukewarm pie or the burger of dubious provenance. Indeed, some fans have been saying ‘Neigh’ to them following the horse meat scandal.