Perhaps the best attended Fans Forum since they’ve begun in this format.
The Board fulfilled their promise of releasing information on income and expenditure over the last three seasons. The most recent Board appointee, Paul Byrne the FD of Ginsters, set out in great detail and with clarity what money has come in and where it has been spent. In short, it amounted to a level of openness and transparency previously unseen at the Club. The Club will reproduce all the detail on the website in due course for fans to absorb and pour over the detail.
Some highlights
The greatest expenditure within the £6m or so turnover is wages (both the playing budget and staff wages) which represent close to 70% of turnover.
Gate receipts represent around 40% of total income.
The improved hospitality facilities, increased capacity and all round better offer around the stadium is expected to generate an extra £1.5m in income in a full season (roughly 25% of the current turnover)
The cost of the Grandstand and the acquisition of HHP (the non-ice rink part) amounts to £8.7m. Only £3.1m of the £4.1m loan from Simon Hallett has been drawn down.
The sell on receipt for Sam Gallagher cannot be disclosed under EFL rules but is not as much as reported
The Club are not involved in the Mayflower 400 as much as expected but this is being addressed. The plans for a Woman’s international with the USA have not progressed
The Chairman's expectation for this season is play off at least ( in line with the End of Season survey which said 75% of Argyle fans have the same expectation). The playing budget matches this expectation.
The evening was recorded and will be on YouTube in due course.
A good night to be an Argyle fan which the Club clearly demonstrating that it is going in the right direction. The level of openness and transparency was unparalleled and welcome.