Derby County have today announced their financial results for the 2014/15 season, reporting a record turnover with the club maintaining its position as one of the best supported teams in the country.
Underpinning the best-ever Championship turnover (in non-parachute payment years) of £21.5m was another record year of ticketing and commercial revenues, up by 29% and 20% respectively.
The financial year July 1 2014 to June 30 2015 saw Derby County have the highest season ticket holders of any club in the Football League and the highest average attendance for any team across the competition.
The Rams reported a loss of £10.1m for the year, compared to £7m in the previous year. This is attributed to a number of factors including a £2m reduction in TV revenue (prior year figures included broadcast fees for the playoffs and playoff final), a £5.4m increase in wages to £21.8m, a net player trading expenditure of £3.8m in the year and substantial investment in the Academy.
Academy and training facility expenditure rose to £7.5m during the year. £4.1m was spent on training facility development which included a new gym, swimming pool/hydrotherapy area, full size and five-a-side floodlit all-weather artificial pitches and a floodlit grass pitch with under soil heating which is a replica of iPro Stadium.
During the year, the company settled the £15m secured mortgage element of the loan from Co-operative Bank Plc, who released its security of a fixed and floating charge over the company’s undertaking and assets. The settlement of the secured mortgage loan was funded by investment from shareholders. The non-interest bearing unsecured loan of £3m from the bank remains in place.
This financial year was the third in which the Football League Financial Fair Play regulations were in force. The loss for FFP purposes was £5.6m and the financial results were approved by the league in December.
President and Chief Executive Officer Sam Rush said: “The 2014/15 season was an important year for the club. A strong first half of the season was not matched by the second part of the campaign. We were disappointed with the failure of the team to make the play-offs but continue to make significant progress across all other sectors.
“Our supporters continue to back the team in incredible numbers and we are highly competitive against other Championship clubs and also many in the Premier League. Our commercial operations consistently thrive and are market leading in the Football League.
“The club remains in good health for season 2015/16 and is firmly focused on pushing for promotion in the last eight games of the league campaign.”
