The Political Economy of Football V2

As the deadline approaches, clubs are filing accounts at a fast and furious pace.   Thanks to Kieran Maguire for this data.  Fleetwood Town lost more than £6m in 22/23, taking total losses over the years to nearly £31m.  Fleetwood owe other parts of the Pilley empire over £31m in terms of interest free loans advanced to the club. Burton Albion, one of the most sustainable clubs in the pyramid, lost just over £1m in 22/23. Player sale profits reduced these losses to £133k Burton bought players for £200k in 22/23 and had sales, presumably of Bosman or academy players, of £973k.    Peterborough United   have submitted their   accounts: Revenue £10m up 42%. Wages £7.7m up 15%. Underlying loss pre player sales £5.4m.   Player purchases £775k. Player sales £4 million.

Fleetwood chairman/owner Andy Pilley has been found guilty of fraud. The case is related to his energy supply business and he is expected to face prison time. This has huge implications for the team he has bankrolled from the 9th tier to League One. He has been remanded in custody. The club say they have been planning for this verdict for some months: https://www.fleetwoodtownfc.com/news/2023/may/update-club-statement/

Fleetwood Town lost £1.65 million in 2021/22, taking total losses to almost £25 million, reports Kieran Maguire. Fleetwood bought players for £110k in 21/22. Fleetwood are funded by other parts of owner Andy Pilley’s empire, owing over £24 million to group companies.

The precarious nature of lower league football is brought home by the example of Fleetwood Town, reports Kieran Maguire of the PriceofFootball. They lost £6m in 2018/19, have total losses of £15m, paid £128 in wages for every £100 of income and are propped up by owner loans of £17m that realistically can never be repaid. Things are even worse in the Championship, the 2018/19 accounts show. Total income £796 million but wages £855m. Total operating losses £650m and average weekly wage £16,553.

Charlton staff have been told by Belgian owner Roland Duchatelet they will not receive bonuses because the club is losing £10m a year: No bonuses Many Charlton fans think that the scale of the losses are the result of the Belgian's policies which have driven fans away from The Valley and left interim manager Lee Bowyer with a threadbare squad reliant on Academy players. Staff are meeting this afternoon and there is a talk of a strike on Saturday when the Addicks are due to play Fleetwood Town at home. Fan group Campaign Against Roland Duchatelet (CARD) are planning a protest before the game if it goes ahead.