BURTON Albion FC has reported an operating loss of £46,865 for the 12-month financial period ending on June 30, 2020.
That figure comes after amortisation of £120,111 and depreciation of tangible assets of £250,924 have been taken into account.
This compares with the 13-month period to June 30, 2019, which showed a loss of £1,859,370, which takes account of £475,322 amortisation and depreciation of tangible assets of £313,230.
The turnover for the year to June 2020 was £5,677,726 made up of commercial income of £4,840,441 and gate receipts of £837,285. That compares with turnover of £6,746,717 for the 13 months to June 2019 – with commercial income at £5,557,433 and gate receipts of £1,189,284.
Wages and salaries for the year to June 2020 totalled £4,509,308 compared with £6,084,187 for the 13-months to June 2019.
The major shareholder and Chairman, Ben Robinson, continued to support and facilitate the club’s cash flow following his interest free loan of £400,000.
Ben Robinson said: “The record loss for the 13 months to June 2019 was made in our first year after relegation from the Championship. Despite relegation clauses in players’ contracts, we still carried forward a substantial wage bill. We were also involved in an unprecedented transfer dispute which had a major impact on the club’s finances.
“That season was a one off due to these circumstances and we have now successfully overcome those difficulties.
“In the year to June 2020, we had to focus on getting the wage bill down to a more realistic level, while continuing to work on every avenue of commercial income.
“The season was curtailed on Friday, March 13 - the day before we were due to play Wycombe and the subsequent five league matches were cancelled.
“We used the Government Job Retention Scheme and Recovery Loan Scheme to help the club survive and to support our staff through a very difficult period.
“We would like to thank our fans and sponsors who did not ask for refunds for games lost and who have continued to support us. We would also thank all the club staff for their support during these difficult times.
“Last season concluded with games still played behind closed doors but thanks to the Government schemes already mentioned and financial support from the EFL and Premier League we were able to maintain cash flow. We have also had amazing support from Season Ticket Holders and Vice Presidents who backed us for the start of the new season with no certainty of whether they could return to the Pirelli Stadium. We have also had great support from a number of sponsors and advertisers who continued to back us financially even through times when they would not be receiving normal commercial exposure.
“All these aspects have enabled us to see out last season and plan for the return of fans. Like many clubs and businesses, we will find life very difficult going forward if severe lockdown policy has to be reintroduced and if clubs and businesses do not receive the same levels of financial support we experienced at the height of the pandemic. But with fans now returning we remain optimistic for the season ahead.”
The AGM takes place on Monday, August 2 at 6pm in the Tom Bradbury Suite at the Pirelli Stadium – only shareholders can attend.