The Political Economy of Football V2

Some years ago I gave a talk in Dundee and my host, knowing that I was a football fan, took me to see how the grounds of Dundee and Dundee United overlap on the same road. There has been talk of a joint purpose built stadium, but that fell foul of ground sharing rules.  In any case it would surely undermine the identity of each club. I was looking through the Non-League Paper yesterday at the Scottish Tier Six tables (as you do) and I noticed that the top two places in the McBookie Midlands Premier League were occupied by Dundee North End and Dundee Downfield while down the table was Dundee East Craigie No shortage of football options there then.

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/

Dundee United have announced a £2.8m loss for the year they were in the Scottish Championship, but are more sustainable in the top flight:  https://www.footballtradedirectory.com/dundee-united-announce-loss-for-last-financial?cat=3077

Scottish clubs generally aim to break even but Dundee United have reported a loss of £2.8m and an even bigger operating loss following relegation:  https://www.footballscotland.co.uk/spfl/dundee-united-announce-28m-loss-28421655

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.