Everton report record attendance figures and turnover

Everton FC saw their turnover rise by £5.1m to hit a record £125.6m at the close of the club’s 2014/15 year, but despite the increased takings, profits dipped against the previous year’s figures.

The Blues’ operating profit before player trading fell to £16m, down from £23.7m in 2013/14, while the club made a loss of £4.1m after tax compared to a profit of £28.2m the year before.

Broadcast income also saw a year-on-year decrease of £3.1m, at £81.7m, with bosses attributing the fall to the club finishing 11th in the Premier League compared to 5th in the 2013/14 season.

Attendance levels at Goodison, meanwhile, were at their strongest since the 2003/04 season at around 38.4k, while the number of EFC ticket holders soared by close to 4,000 since the 2013/14 season to reach 28k.

Robert Elstone, Everton’s chief executive, commented: “As reported year in, year out, our revenues continue to be spent on sustaining a great Academy, the best possible coaching, scouting, performance and medical teams and, of course, a first-team squad that can compete for a place in Europe.

“That strategy remains central to everything we do.”

Long-term support from Everton’s core partners, Thai beer brand Chang and sports retailer Kitbag, as well as a new kit deal with Umbro, drove the club’s sponsorship, advertising and merchandising income to £10.4m, a year-on-year increase of £2m.

Furthermore, participation in the UEFA Europa League pushed the Toffees’ revenue from other commercial activities up by £5.1m to £15.6m.

EFC’s net debt continued to increase over the course of the 2014/15 season, however, growing from £28.1m to £31.3m.

Discussing the merits of manager Roberto Martinez, who joined Everton in 2013 and has since signed a deal stretching to the close of the 2018/19 season, Everton chairman Bill Kenwright said: “There is no more hard-working a manager in the land than the manager we have, no manager more determined to bring success to his football club, to bring silverware to his football club, to build a winning mentality and a winning team.

“Roberto’s mentality is resolute and relentless. This is what makes him such a remarkable man and a man I believe will definitely take the club forward.”

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