The Political Economy of Football V2

A rare in depth look at the finances of a Scottish football club, Dundee FC (not to be confused with overlapping neighbours Dundee United:  https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/sport/football/dundee-fc/5265494/dundee-fc-finances-history/ Unsurprisingly, it is a loss making business but some potentially useful numbers are not available. The club has a new stadium project at Camperdown Park. Near neighbours Dundee United have an American owner who has invested £13m and were on the cusp of being profitable:  https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/sport/football/dundee-united/5265287/dundee-united-finances-history/

The financial hit being taken by medium-sized Scottish clubs is illustrated by the case of Dundee which has already lost half a ,million pounds because of the pandemic and expects to see its revenues halved next season:  https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/sport/football/dundee-fc/1386425/breaking-dundee-reveal-500000-revenue-hit-and-warn-of-difficult-conversations-ahead/ The Scottish Championship is not scheduled until October and even then fans may not be allowed back into grounds.  That may not happen until 2021. The small Scottish clubs, which are the equivalent of non-league clubs in England, can probably be survive with donations or share purchases from fans.   For example, Arbroath have passed £75,000 on their Supporters Wall fundraiser and have been left speechless by the level of fan support. A Hibs supporter told me: 'After Celtic and Rangers (admittedly a long way after) they have the largest home gates in Scotland and should survive the crisis. Hearts have a...

After much controversy, Dundee have cast their vote and the Scottish league season is to end: Scotland Relegation threatened Hearts have been mollified by being given leadership of a working party to consider expanding the Premier League. The top flight could be expanded from 12 to 14 clubs.

Dundee lost over £1.8 million in 2018/19 to take total losses over £7 million. Dundee FC raised money from their main shareholder since the end of the season to keep club afloat. The club statement on the accounts emphasises the importance of getting back to the SPFL Premiership: Accounts Dundee are currently 3rd in the Championship and some way behind table topping rivals Dundee United. Dundee United's average home league attendances this season have been 7,524, but what is remarkable is the lack of variation around the mean (7,404 - 7,644). Dundee have often been in the 4,500 - 5,000 range, but there were 11,233 there for the derby with their neighbours. Elsewhere in Scotland, Arbroath football club lost £27,000 in 2018/19 but still have a strong balance sheet. Queen of the South managed to record a £70,000 profit. Both clubs have unusual grounds, Dundee because of their overlap with Dundee United and Arbroath because of their location by the sea.

Dundee are hoping to relocate their stadium to a new site away from sharing the same road with rivals Dundee United, but have found funding difficult because of the chequered financial history of Scottish football: Stadium hopes The project would include a hotel and, more unusually, a crematorium.