AFC Bournemouth Limited has filed its annual accounts for the year ending 30th June 2019.
The club recorded a loss after tax for the period of £32.4million, compared to a loss of £10.9million the previous year.
Turnover was down by £3.7million. from £134.9million in 2018 to £131.1million in 2018. This decrease is mainly attributed to a lower Premier League finish of 14th place. However, non-Premier League revenue remained broadly similar at £15.5million, which reinforces the club’s continuing off-field progression.
Player registration cost additions for the year were £94.2million, compared with £55.8million in the previous period. This demonstrates the board’s commitment to the continued development of the playing squad.
Staff costs increased from £101.9million in 2018 to £110.9million in 2019. This reflects the club offering competitive remuneration packages to attract and maintain the calibre of playing and team management staff necessary to allow the club to compete in the league, with the aim of maintaining Premier League status.
AFC Bournemouth chief executive, Neill Blake, said: “The 2018/19 season saw the club competing in the Premier League, finishing in 14th place with 45 points. That was enough to secure Premier League status for a fifth consecutive season.
“During the financial year, the club's focus was to consolidate its position in the Premier League through targeted expenditure on assets and expertise in the playing squad and supporting infrastructure.
“The directors continue to maintain close control over cash flow and continue to develop and maintain policies with the aim of ensuring the club is run in a sustainable and successful manner.
“These policies are seen as vital in order to keep control over all expenditure that the club commits to.
“The club sees retention of key staff as a key ingredient to success and the directors considers the financial position of the company to be satisfactory.
“Shortly after the year end, the club sold three players for a profit of £22.6million. Clearly, if these sales had been made before 30th June 2019, this would have removed a large portion of the loss for the year.”
