The Political Economy of Football V2

I have a soft spot for Harrogate Town.  They are a fellow spa town team (I live in Leamington Spa).  For some years I was a consultant at Yorkshire Agricultural Society and the cab from my hotel to the showground always took me past their gronnd. Harrogate’s 2024/25 accounts show debts of £6.4 million owed to chairman Irving Weaver, who has said he does not intend to call-in the loans.   However, relegation would be a major financial blow. Asked to comment, football finance guru Kieran Maguire, an academic, chartered accountant and author of The Price of Football, said:  ‘Clubs get revenue from three primary sources: gate receipts, TV deals, and commercial income. Harrogate’s 2024/25 revenue was around £4 million. They could be looking at a £2.5 million to £2.75 million revenue drop if they are relegated. TV income would take a major hit. Harrogate currently receive £1.2 million to £1.3 million, but would lose Premier League solidarity payments and half their EFL...

Harrogate Town lost £1.2m in their second season in the EFL, up from £1m in the first, reports Kieran Maguire. Harrogate Town appear to have a squad that has not cost anything and are reliant on owner Irving Weaver, father of manager Simon Weaver, to fund the losses. Weaver has put in £4.4m in interest free loans to date and has indicated he will continue to support club financially. Staff numbers are up following end of lockdown. Harrogate spent £600k on infrastructure assets in 21/22, including almost £400k on property.