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Owning a National League club can be expensive

Just how much it can cost to run a National League club is revealed by the 2017/18 accounts of Ebbsfleet United who, having been promoted from the National League South, reached the semi-finals of the play offs. Ultimate owner Dr Abdulla Al-Humaidi had to pump in £2.86m to keep the club afloat during the year. The cumulative loss was £9.69m.

Promotion from the National League South saw an increase of £75k in central income to £119k: this is made up of seasonal payments from the National League and a one off solidarity payment from the Premier League. However, matchday income accounted for 51 per cent of turnover at £468k, up from £259k. Commercial activities accounted for 32 per cent of turnover at £290k. Overall turnover was £909k, up by over £350k.

Player and staff costs amounted to £2.137m or 2.35 times turnover, the highest ratio I can recall in any division. Players and player management staff amounted to 38, only marginally up from 34. Management and administration staff were 22, making a total of 60.

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