Burton Albion Football Club has reported a record £1,344,038 pre-tax profit (after deprecation) for the last financial year.
The figures will be presented to shareholders at the club’s Annual General Meeting in November.
Burton Albion played in the EFL Championship for the first time in the club’s history in the 2016/2017 season.
Chairman Ben Robinson says: “It was an important year for the club with the challenges and opportunities presented by playing in the Championship.
“For a club of our size competing against former European Champions, and in a division where the vast majority of clubs have been in the Premier League and some still receive parachute payments, it’s not a level playing field. Therefore, it was important to maximise resources.
“We need to congratulate the manager, his coaching staff and the players for the “miracle” of keeping Burton Albion in the Championship on what were limited resources compared with all other clubs.
“That we were able to achieve our primary aim of avoiding relegation was down to the manager’s ability to make maximum use of the playing budget and the commitment shown on and off the pitch.
“I would also like to praise all the club staff who have had to step up to the standards and workload expected for a Championship club and who have worked wholeheartedly to help us achieve our aims.
“Having survived relegation, the club needed to be in a strong financial position heading into our second season in the Championship.”
The club needs resources to:
- Fund the playing budget over the summer months when there is a considerable reduction in football-related income;
- Improve the manager’s playing budget to give the club the best opportunity of avoiding relegation again;
- Build up reserves to fund potential ground improvements both short and long term that will be required if Burton Albion stay in the Championship.
The chairman continues: “Our charity, Burton Albion Community Trust, is making an ever-greater impact. Following on from the completion of our 3G community all-weather pitch at the Pirelli Stadium we will soon be opening the new building at the facility which will be another key part in BACT’s development. We continue to be proud of BACT’s achievements in the community, recognised by the EFL Awards as Midlands Community Club of the Year 2017.
“Off the field we also continue to explore new ways of generating non matchday revenue such as our Club Albion business network, which not only brings in income but also allows other firms to exploit the powerful brand of a Championship football club.
“All this means we are in a good position going forward, with a solid base to make strategic investments in line with our performance on the football field.”