Albion are counting the cost of their drop back into the third tier of English football.
The Seagulls made a loss of more than £2.8 million in the year ending June 2007, their first season in League One following relegation from the Championship.
It is the biggest deficit since they moved into Withdean and a massive hike compared to a £253,000 loss the previous year, although that figure excluded over £2 million received from the transfers of Adam Virgo to Celtic and Dan Harding to Leeds.
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Albion's annual accounts show that turnover fell by 21 per cent to £4.2 million, largely due to the consequences of relegation.
Their share of central funds from the Football League dropped by more than £750,000 to £499,000, while gate receipts, commercial activities and TV and radio royalties all suffered falls ranging from nine to 40 per cent.
The directors' report says: "The effect of relegation to League One is clear to see on all areas of club revenue.
"Average league attendances fell to 5,829 compared to 6,802 in 2005-06. Clearly league status and the poor facilities at Withdean are the main factors in this drop."
Relegation had one benefit - Albion's wage bill dropped by almost £400,000 to £3.3 million, with six fewer full-time staff and 39 fewer part-time employees.
A further £500,000 was ploughed into Falmer, raising the total spent on the new stadium project to £3.6 million.
The directors' report adds: "The operating loss clearly demonstrates the urgent need for Falmer with all the facilities, commercial and economic benefits and additional revenue streams it will generate, as losses of this nature can only be sustained through the sale of players or shareholder funding."
Perhaps if they got rid of a few of the rubbish players still at the club we could save money! There must be seven / eight players at the club who clearly aren't up to first team level.
Better use of the loan market is essential. Don't be afraid to beg, steal or borrow!
Perhaps if they got rid of a few of the rubbish players still at the club we could save money! There must be seven / eight players at the club who clearly aren't up to first team level.
Better use of the loan market is essential. Don't be afraid to beg, steal or borrow!
Posted by: GitFace, Reality on 11:52pm Tue 6 May 08
Martyn, don't you think we've used the loan system quite well this season, with Richards, Bowditch, Martot, Westlake, and Racon? And why don't you mention the players who are not worth keeping - it must be hours since you last listed them all...
Martyn, don't you think we've used the loan system quite well this season, with Richards, Bowditch, Martot, Westlake, and Racon? And why don't you mention the players who are not worth keeping - it must be hours since you last listed them all...
Posted by: James, Brighton on 12:07am Wed 7 May 08
If a couple of players had been signed to save us from relegation from the Championship this large loss would have been avoided,another season in Div1 will see another big loss next year
If a couple of players had been signed to save us from relegation from the Championship this large loss would have been avoided,another season in Div1 will see another big loss next year
one thing is certain, the club lost more than that last season, which means the sale of players , dean has till xmas to get us into top three or the axe will be out.
one thing is certain, the club lost more than that last season, which means the sale of players , dean has till xmas to get us into top three or the axe will be out.
actually how is this club going to the bank to borrow 35 million, the gate of 12ooo for break even is not right, when you think we wont get that crowd in div 1. so its championship, and championship wages, unless we sell loft to real madrid for 15 mill this prodject will not happen. funny why has the builder not been sellected and date of work starting given?
actually how is this club going to the bank to borrow 35 million, the gate of 12ooo for break even is not right, when you think we wont get that crowd in div 1. so its championship, and championship wages, unless we sell loft to real madrid for 15 mill this prodject will not happen. funny why has the builder not been sellected and date of work starting given?
Perhaps if all the fair weather fans that are going to give you a 12,000 gate each home game at Falmer, came to Withdean you might have made a smaller loss. Falmer is a waste of time ... you will never fill it !
Perhaps if all the fair weather fans that are going to give you a 12,000 gate each home game at Falmer, came to Withdean you might have made a smaller loss. Falmer is a waste of time ... you will never fill it !
Posted by: Phil, in the middle on 9:22am Wed 7 May 08
No shock is it?
Perhaps some investment in the Team when we were still in the Championship would have been worth while. Instead the Board fails to invest and lets us get relegated without a fight.
And the fans get to watch a bunch of kids play in a crap league, so gate receipts fall.
No shock is it?
Perhaps some investment in the Team when we were still in the Championship would have been worth while. Instead the Board fails to invest and lets us get relegated without a fight.
And the fans get to watch a bunch of kids play in a crap league, so gate receipts fall.
Posted by: man with a brain, the real world on 11:39am Wed 7 May 08
" bank manager its like this, my company turns over 4 million ish a year, thats down 20% on last year, and the company lost 2.8 million, now what we want is to borrow 35 million, we have no assets, but we may sell our star player loft to hastings," can someone tell me what bank this club will approach? this wont be a runner. simple arithmetic tells you.
" bank manager its like this, my company turns over 4 million ish a year, thats down 20% on last year, and the company lost 2.8 million, now what we want is to borrow 35 million, we have no assets, but we may sell our star player loft to hastings," can someone tell me what bank this club will approach? this wont be a runner. simple arithmetic tells you.
These figures show that there is more potential from developing Falmer than just giving us a stadium for a 1st Division/Lower Championship side that will average gates below 10,000. They can't put the price up as tickets are already overpriced. What are the Directors real plans? They certainly aren't charitable.
These figures show that there is more potential from developing Falmer than just giving us a stadium for a 1st Division/Lower Championship side that will average gates below 10,000. They can't put the price up as tickets are already overpriced. What are the Directors real plans? They certainly aren't charitable.
You'd think from reading the above comments that the Albion's current financial predicament is somehow unique. Although the figures do not make for cheery reading, a quick look around other clubs in our division reveal that things could be a lot, lot worse. The cost of obtaining Falmer is dishearteningly high, but it's not exactly like the board are overmoon at the cost either. The fact is, Falmer has to be built in order for the club to even stand a chance of long-term financial stability - regardless of how many fans actually turn up.
You'd think from reading the above comments that the Albion's current financial predicament is somehow unique. Although the figures do not make for cheery reading, a quick look around other clubs in our division reveal that things could be a lot, lot worse. The cost of obtaining Falmer is dishearteningly high, but it's not exactly like the board are overmoon at the cost either. The fact is, Falmer has to be built in order for the club to even stand a chance of long-term financial stability - regardless of how many fans actually turn up.
You'd think from reading the above comments that the Albion's current financial predicament is somehow unique. Although the figures do not make for cheery reading, a quick look around other clubs in our division reveal that things could be a lot, lot worse. The cost of obtaining Falmer is dishearteningly high, but it's not exactly like the board are overmoon at the cost either. The fact is, Falmer has to be built in order for the club to even stand a chance of long-term financial stability - regardless of how many fans actually turn up.
You'd think from reading the above comments that the Albion's current financial predicament is somehow unique. Although the figures do not make for cheery reading, a quick look around other clubs in our division reveal that things could be a lot, lot worse. The cost of obtaining Falmer is dishearteningly high, but it's not exactly like the board are overmoon at the cost either. The fact is, Falmer has to be built in order for the club to even stand a chance of long-term financial stability - regardless of how many fans actually turn up.
Posted by: man with a brain, in the real world on 1:37pm Wed 7 May 08
[quote][bold]Andy[/bold] wrote:
You'd think from reading the above comments that the Albion's current financial predicament is somehow unique. Although the figures do not make for cheery reading, a quick look around other clubs in our division reveal that things could be a lot, lot worse. The cost of obtaining Falmer is dishearteningly high, but it's not exactly like the board are overmoon at the cost either. The fact is, Falmer has to be built in order for the club to even stand a chance of long-term financial stability - regardless of how many fans actually turn up.[/quote] so we lose more than 3 mill a year when its built?? how long will the club survive? i cant wait for it to be built, but i remember when leicster built their new stadium, we were so envious of the walkers stadium,!! the fact thta we lose money at withdean does not mean we wont lose more at falmer, and your point of the other clubs proves that a bank would be silly to lend on some 12000 break even point. i cant see it happening unless a director puts up surities
Andy wrote:
You'd think from reading the above comments that the Albion's current financial predicament is somehow unique. Although the figures do not make for cheery reading, a quick look around other clubs in our division reveal that things could be a lot, lot worse. The cost of obtaining Falmer is dishearteningly high, but it's not exactly like the board are overmoon at the cost either. The fact is, Falmer has to be built in order for the club to even stand a chance of long-term financial stability - regardless of how many fans actually turn up.
so we lose more than 3 mill a year when its built?? how long will the club survive? i cant wait for it to be built, but i remember when leicster built their new stadium, we were so envious of the walkers stadium,!! the fact thta we lose money at withdean does not mean we wont lose more at falmer, and your point of the other clubs proves that a bank would be silly to lend on some 12000 break even point. i cant see it happening unless a director puts up surities
Posted by: Phil, in the middle on 2:12pm Wed 7 May 08
[quote][bold]man with a brain[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]Andy[/bold] wrote:
You'd think from reading the above comments that the Albion's current financial predicament is somehow unique. Although the figures do not make for cheery reading, a quick look around other clubs in our division reveal that things could be a lot, lot worse. The cost of obtaining Falmer is dishearteningly high, but it's not exactly like the board are overmoon at the cost either. The fact is, Falmer has to be built in order for the club to even stand a chance of long-term financial stability - regardless of how many fans actually turn up.[/quote] so we lose more than 3 mill a year when its built?? how long will the club survive? i cant wait for it to be built, but i remember when leicster built their new stadium, we were so envious of the walkers stadium,!! the fact thta we lose money at withdean does not mean we wont lose more at falmer, and your point of the other clubs proves that a bank would be silly to lend on some 12000 break even point. i cant see it happening unless a director puts up surities[/quote] Do you live near the pond in Falmer?
You comment upon The Walkers Stadium - how many do Leicester get for home games? Many more than the 12000 you say is not going to happen at Falmer!
When Falmer is built, and the Team is worth watching again (for other than us mad die-hard fans) the crowds will flood in.
Can't you remember how hard it was to get a ticket at Withdean when we were playing well, and before people got fed-up with Withdean and all that goes with it?
Oh, probably not as you cannot be a fan, just another NIMBY trying to cause trouble.
man with a brain wrote:
Andy wrote:
You'd think from reading the above comments that the Albion's current financial predicament is somehow unique. Although the figures do not make for cheery reading, a quick look around other clubs in our division reveal that things could be a lot, lot worse. The cost of obtaining Falmer is dishearteningly high, but it's not exactly like the board are overmoon at the cost either. The fact is, Falmer has to be built in order for the club to even stand a chance of long-term financial stability - regardless of how many fans actually turn up.
so we lose more than 3 mill a year when its built?? how long will the club survive? i cant wait for it to be built, but i remember when leicster built their new stadium, we were so envious of the walkers stadium,!! the fact thta we lose money at withdean does not mean we wont lose more at falmer, and your point of the other clubs proves that a bank would be silly to lend on some 12000 break even point. i cant see it happening unless a director puts up surities
Do you live near the pond in Falmer?
You comment upon The Walkers Stadium - how many do Leicester get for home games? Many more than the 12000 you say is not going to happen at Falmer!
When Falmer is built, and the Team is worth watching again (for other than us mad die-hard fans) the crowds will flood in.
Can't you remember how hard it was to get a ticket at Withdean when we were playing well, and before people got fed-up with Withdean and all that goes with it?
Oh, probably not as you cannot be a fan, just another NIMBY trying to cause trouble.
You are all missing a crucial factor. Up until 16 years ago half of all the money from the television receipts went to the clubs in the top division, one quarter went to the clubs in the second tier, and the remaining quarter went to the clubs in the 3rd and 4th tiers. These days the quite massive amounts of loot coming in from Sky and Sentanna - 1.7 [bold]billion[/bold] pounds, fully [bold]89%[/bold] of this money goes to the clubs in the top division. It is a sick, twisted system that ensures the gulf between clubs like ours and the top 20 continually expands. Even Derby (who finished bottom)will receive 6 million in "parachute" payments for each of the next 2 years, while clubs like ours have to fight tooth and nail to stay in business, while the true fans, out of frustration, turn on eachother like animals in a cage (see above discussion). The greed that those in the Premier League "industry" espouse is sickening and will continue until legislators finally act (by ensuring a fairer share). I am only in my 30s, but I now realize seeing the likes of unfashionable teams like Swansea, Watford and Ipswich actually winning promotion and then being able to compete for the League title are well and truly over. The ultimate we can now expect is (eventually) a promotion into the Premier League and then a bleak and desperate fight for survival. So to all you so called fans who are harping about the management of the club I suggest you turn your fire on other directions. The Albion are an extremely well managed club and I consider ourselves lucky to have stalwarts like Wilkins and Knight in charge.
You are all missing a crucial factor. Up until 16 years ago half of all the money from the television receipts went to the clubs in the top division, one quarter went to the clubs in the second tier, and the remaining quarter went to the clubs in the 3rd and 4th tiers. These days the quite massive amounts of loot coming in from Sky and Sentanna - 1.7 billion pounds, fully 89% of this money goes to the clubs in the top division. It is a sick, twisted system that ensures the gulf between clubs like ours and the top 20 continually expands. Even Derby (who finished bottom)will receive 6 million in "parachute" payments for each of the next 2 years, while clubs like ours have to fight tooth and nail to stay in business, while the true fans, out of frustration, turn on eachother like animals in a cage (see above discussion). The greed that those in the Premier League "industry" espouse is sickening and will continue until legislators finally act (by ensuring a fairer share). I am only in my 30s, but I now realize seeing the likes of unfashionable teams like Swansea, Watford and Ipswich actually winning promotion and then being able to compete for the League title are well and truly over. The ultimate we can now expect is (eventually) a promotion into the Premier League and then a bleak and desperate fight for survival. So to all you so called fans who are harping about the management of the club I suggest you turn your fire on other directions. The Albion are an extremely well managed club and I consider ourselves lucky to have stalwarts like Wilkins and Knight in charge.
Well put by J of Hove.Am I alone in wishing that the so call top four would flip off to a euro league and leave the rest of us to enjoy the game for what it should be.
Well put by J of Hove.Am I alone in wishing that the so call top four would flip off to a euro league and leave the rest of us to enjoy the game for what it should be.
Posted by: drew, Burgess Hill on 3:33pm Wed 7 May 08
[quote][bold]Phil[/bold] wrote:
No shock is it? Perhaps some investment in the Team when we were still in the Championship would have been worth while. Instead the Board fails to invest and lets us get relegated without a fight. And the fans get to watch a bunch of kids play in a crap league, so gate receipts fall.[/quote] Phil, can you just confirm which players we should have bought and at what cost (fee plus salary) that would have [bold]guaranteed[/bold] championship survival?
Also, take out the fees for Virgo and Harding and the loss last year is not much different to the last year in the championship? Lets not forget that 2006/7 was probably the worst for home supporters, 5 league wins. Hopefully, some of the savings from the clear out will go to signing new players and perhaps securing Richards and Westlake.
I know of several people who have bought season tickets for next year having let them lapse a couple of years ago. So there is some optimism about despite this site!
Hopefully, even more will buy season tickets meaning bigger gates at Withdean and with a promotion/play-off push next year things can get better.
Phil wrote:
No shock is it? Perhaps some investment in the Team when we were still in the Championship would have been worth while. Instead the Board fails to invest and lets us get relegated without a fight. And the fans get to watch a bunch of kids play in a crap league, so gate receipts fall.
Phil, can you just confirm which players we should have bought and at what cost (fee plus salary) that would have guaranteed championship survival?
Also, take out the fees for Virgo and Harding and the loss last year is not much different to the last year in the championship? Lets not forget that 2006/7 was probably the worst for home supporters, 5 league wins. Hopefully, some of the savings from the clear out will go to signing new players and perhaps securing Richards and Westlake.
I know of several people who have bought season tickets for next year having let them lapse a couple of years ago. So there is some optimism about despite this site!
Hopefully, even more will buy season tickets meaning bigger gates at Withdean and with a promotion/play-off push next year things can get better.
Posted by: Kit Napier, Hove on 3:47pm Wed 7 May 08
Loan players = no promotion,
Apart from Forster the team is conference class,
Failure to fill Withdean each home match culminates in the massive deficit.
Unless a massive injection of cash for players is put into the club the next move will be even further downwards,
Why oh why keep on about Falmer only the bank of Hoogstraten would get involved in such a venture.
For those of us from the glory glory days the current setup is very saddening
Loan players = no promotion,
Apart from Forster the team is conference class,
Failure to fill Withdean each home match culminates in the massive deficit.
Unless a massive injection of cash for players is put into the club the next move will be even further downwards,
Why oh why keep on about Falmer only the bank of Hoogstraten would get involved in such a venture.
For those of us from the glory glory days the current setup is very saddening
well dean leaves the coaching to his number twos!! one from hastings and one from whitehawk, worthing a better backroom, my bet at ladbrokes will be adams and oatway combination. by xmas.
well dean leaves the coaching to his number twos!! one from hastings and one from whitehawk, worthing a better backroom, my bet at ladbrokes will be adams and oatway combination. by xmas.
[quote][bold]dean wilkins mum[/bold] wrote:
when my dean is sacked tomorrow amd micky adams returns you will all be pleased ....[/quote] Adams? we want Mark Magee back
dean wilkins mum wrote:
when my dean is sacked tomorrow amd micky adams returns you will all be pleased ....
Posted by: never wrong dave, Brighton on 5:47pm Wed 7 May 08
I will never forget what Mark McGhee said to me at Dyke road petrol station about Mr,Doug Loft.I just can't believe he got another contract.Lets face it DK & Perry worked out years ago to run down the playing side so the real fans would turn away from the club,and only leave the brain dead blind sheep that ask nothing.How many of you can really put your hand on your hart and say you think Falmer will be built?
I will never forget what Mark McGhee said to me at Dyke road petrol station about Mr,Doug Loft.I just can't believe he got another contract.Lets face it DK & Perry worked out years ago to run down the playing side so the real fans would turn away from the club,and only leave the brain dead blind sheep that ask nothing.How many of you can really put your hand on your hart and say you think Falmer will be built?
Posted by: W.H. Iteout, Hastings on 7:25pm Wed 7 May 08
[quote][bold]mick[/bold] wrote:
is there anyone who thinks loft deserves a contract? i heard it was not deans decision. any one want to bet how many games loft starts next year? [/quote] just enough to guarantee white, loft and loft's agent another contract?
mick wrote:
is there anyone who thinks loft deserves a contract? i heard it was not deans decision. any one want to bet how many games loft starts next year?
just enough to guarantee white, loft and loft's agent another contract?
Posted by: William of Orange, Brighton on 11:04pm Wed 7 May 08
[quote][bold]man with a brain[/bold] wrote:
" bank manager its like this, my company turns over 4 million ish a year, thats down 20% on last year, and the company lost 2.8 million, now what we want is to borrow 35 million, we have no assets, but we may sell our star player loft to hastings," can someone tell me what bank this club will approach? this wont be a runner. simple arithmetic tells you.[/quote] Northern Crock?....bugger...m
issed the boat!
man with a brain wrote:
" bank manager its like this, my company turns over 4 million ish a year, thats down 20% on last year, and the company lost 2.8 million, now what we want is to borrow 35 million, we have no assets, but we may sell our star player loft to hastings," can someone tell me what bank this club will approach? this wont be a runner. simple arithmetic tells you.
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