Financial challenges in the League Two basement

Morecambe's total football income was £1.7 million in 2016/17. This is less than the difference in prize money between finishing 15th and 14th in the Premier League. Turnover was up from £2.5m to £2.7m. Ticket sales accounted for two-thirds of turnover.

The total wage bill for the year was £1.9m. Wages were 70 per cent of turnover. The club lost £9,000 a week before tax.

The average crowd was 1,704. This was the lowest figure in League Two. Fourteen National League clubs had a higher average.

The club had an overdraft of £586k and just over £1m in loans. Control of the company is expected to pass to London-based Bond Group Investments imminently.

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The Political Economy of Football V2

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