During the lockdown I’ve been playing with the presentation format of a football club’s finances to provide a “cut out and keep” overview. This is a 2-pager with one page showing all the key figures for the last 2 seasons, the other showing graphical trends for the last 5 years.
In terms of financials, the first page includes revenue, expenses, wages, player trading, profit, debt and transfers.
It also shows key standing data, sporting performance and details of the main sponsorship deals.
Finally has rankings against other clubs in the division.
It also shows key standing data, sporting performance and details of the main sponsorship deals.
Finally has rankings against other clubs in the division.
I’ve opted to include 6 graphs as a trade-off between coverage and ease of reading:
- revenue
- expenses (wages and player amortisation)
- operating profit (plus EBITDA)
- profit before tax (plus profit from player sales)
- debt (plus cash)
- transfers (“net spend, fella”).
- revenue
- expenses (wages and player amortisation)
- operating profit (plus EBITDA)
- profit before tax (plus profit from player sales)
- debt (plus cash)
- transfers (“net spend, fella”).
#AFC highlights a move into loss after many profitable years, driven by revenue decline, growing wage bill and low profits from player sales (except 2018). Debt slowly reducing, cash balance still high. Increasing transfer spend (£100m+ in 4 of last 5 years). 
#LFC improved profitability on the back of significant revenue growth (especially CL), boosted by high profits on player sales. Wage bill and player amortisation have increased a lot, but profitability maintained. High transfer spend in last 2 years, but debt steadily being cut.
#MCFC have reported (small) profits in last 5 years, as revenue growth has matched wages growth. Relatively low profits from player sales (not once above £40m). Very low debt with rising cash balance. Transfer spend increasing up to 2018, but massive cut in 2019.
#MUFC remain highly profitable with highest revenue, though growth has slowed, especially commercial. Low profits from player sales. Consistent increases in wage bill. Half a billion debt is unchanged, but also high cash balance. High transfer spend, cut to “only” £100m in 2019.
#THFC consistently report high profits, driven by impressive revenue growth (especially CL) and relatively low wages. Debt has shot up due to investment in new stadium, leading to high investments and depreciation. Very low transfer spend, particularly in 2019.
#CFC have worst operating losses in the Premier League, offset by high profits from player sales (largest in the PL). Significant transfer spend in last 2 years has led to significant player amortisation. High wages growth since 2017, despite flat revenue in that period.
Just for a bit of fun, here’s #AFC with a different presentation, i.e. a dark background with white text. IMHO this looks prettier than the traditional white background, but maybe it is not so easy to read.
Anyway, please let me know what you think of this new format. I’m considering putting these on Dropbox as PDF files, so fans can print out an easy summary. To be clear, this will not replace the classic, in-depth analysis, but hopefully is something that people will find useful.
