Interesting Accounts from Burton

As mentioned in an earlier article Burton Albion Football Club has revealed a loss of £31,000 for the year ended May 31 2007. The previous year they made a bumper profit after FA Cup games against Manchester United.

However in the accounts are some very interesting figures.

Income was £1.18m which comprised gate receipts of £352,000 and more than £800,000 from the commercial side of the club. Burton moved to the Pirelli Stadium from Eton Park a couple of seasons ago.

"If you look back to our last set of accounts at Eton Park in 2005, income has gone up by 113 per cent, and we will keep striving to expand the business," said chairman Ben Robinson.

"Christmas and New Year was our best so far at the new ground, and more and more companies are coming back to us to renew bookings for seminars, meeting and functions."

The total wage bill which includes not only the players but all other staff was just over £900,000. Running costs came to about £300,000 or £6,000 per week.

"The electricity bill at the Pirelli Stadium averages £2,400 a month compared to £6,500 in an entire year at Eton Park," noted Robinson.

Hereford United's latest accounts, also to May 31st 2007, are expected to be published later next month. In the previous set of accounts gate receipts accounted for around £600,000 of the £1m turnover with the other £400,000 coming from the commercial side.

In other words about 40% of the Bulls' income comes from the commercial side whereas at Burton with their new stadium around 70% comes from commercial sources.

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