Reds Finance Director Robert Zuk has issued the following statement to our supporters...
Dear Loyal Supporters,Much like Hecky, Patrick and many of the backroom staff at Oakwell, I have grown up supporting my home town club. It was therefore a huge honour when I was invited to join the Board earlier this season. To become Finance Director of this great Football Club was a very proud moment for me and I am extremely grateful to Patrick and the Board for giving me the opportunity.
Some of you may have seen that we recently published our annual accounts for the 2015/2016 season, reporting a loss just over half a million pounds. This loss would have been nearly one million pounds had it not been for the continued financial support from our Owner, Patrick Cryne.
The 2015/2016 season will be recorded in the history books as a hugely successful season for us on the pitch, culminating in two victorious trips to Wembley in quick succession. Despite the on-field successes the financial results illustrate how challenging it is to run a football club at a break-even level, when others don’t seem to have such constraints because of owner wealth and/or parachute payments.
The cumulative losses for the last three seasons alone total in excess of £5.5m, therefore when we do have profitable years, it is vital that we use the profits responsibly to ensure that we are well prepared for the future. Being a Reds fan is a lifelong commitment, so we need to make sure that we do not live beyond our means in the short term to the detriment of future generations of fans.
The results for the 2016/2017 season are forecasted to show a much brighter financial position due to the greater financial returns from competing in the Championship and the profits generated from recent player sales.
As well as reinvesting funds into the playing squad and training facilities, we will make investments to improve the concourse and hospitality areas. We will also be making vital improvements to the West stand for the start of the 2017/2018 campaign.
Every penny received from our fantastic supporters is vital to the continued progress of our Football Club. As promised last year, all supporters who purchased a Season Ticket during the ‘Early Bird’ period will have their Season Ticket price frozen for the 2017/18 season. For all other supporters, there will be a small increase in price for the first time in five years. We are yet again offering a free under 12 Season Ticket with every adult Season Ticket, meaning that an adult and under 12 can enjoy Championship football for as little as £11.74 per match.
I very much hope that each and every one of you will make the commitment again for the 2017/2018 season, for what is sure to be another thrilling campaign.
Robert Zuk
Finance Director
2017/18 Season Tickets are now on sale! For all the information including pricing, catagories, sale dates and finance options, please CLICK HERE.
