Hicks and Gillett left smiling despite fan discontent

[Jürgen4PM]

Hicks and Gillett left smiling despite fan discontent after Liverpool’s revenues soar by millions
04 March 2010 | By Adam FraserRelated articles

Despite continuing fan discontent and concerns over the financing of the club's debt, Liverpool FC's owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett were given a boost this week when it was revealed that the club's revenues have been boosted by almost €10 million.

Liverpool have moved up to seventh place in Deloitte's Football Money League, after the Reds' annual revenues climbed from €207.4 million to €217 million. Liverpool still trailed Premier League rivals Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United, but United's revenues only improved by €2.2 million, and both chelsea and Arsenal recorded lower revenues than in previous years.

'Broadcasting revenue of £74.6m (€87.6m) has risen by £3.8m (5%) since 2007/08,' reports Deloitte. 'The increase reflected a second place Premier League finish in 2008/09, which provided £50.3m of revenue (a £4.3m (9%) uplift). Reaching the quarter-final of the Uefa Champions League in 2008/09 earned Liverpool €23.2m (£19.7m) which was €3.6m lower than the amount received from Uefa for reaching the semi-final in the previous season. Having failed to reach the last 16 of the Champions League in 2009/10, Liverpool will be looking for a very strong Uefa Europa League performance to minimise the shortfall against the level of European revenues they usually generate.

'Despite the challenging sponsorship market, Liverpool achieved a £13.5m (25%) increase in commercial revenues to £67.7m (€79.5m), which accounts for 37% of the club’s total revenue, following the commencement of four new partnerships, reportedly worth a combined £10m (€12m).'

Deloitte also noted that Liverpool's performance is likely to improve in coming seasons, when, amongst other things, its £20 million per year shirt sponsorship agreement with Standard Chartered begins. That deal more than doubles what Liverpool currently receive annually from Carlsberg. However, the report also noted that, to move up the Football Money League, Liverpool are likely to need to move to their proposed new stadium.

Failure to do so has been a key part of fan discontent at Anfield. A poster campaign in Liverpool has seen billboards throughout the city carry the message: 'Tom and George, Debt, Lies, Cowboys. Not welcome here.'

 

[Buddha]

Whatever their failings, Tom and George have certainly done well in appointing Purslow and Ayre.

 

[Judge Jules]

Agreed.

There's more. In "The Times" yesterday there were brief extracts from the part of the annual report of Forbes.com, an online business and financial bulletin, which dealt with sport clubs around the world. According to them there are five football clubs worth more than a billion dollars (about £670 mill.) each, and we're one of them. The others are United (the biggest club and brand in the sporting world apparently >🙁), Real Madrid, the Arse and Bayern.

 

[KopKing]

[quote author=Buddha link=topic=39159.msg1064003#msg1064003 date=1267701179]
Whatever their failings, Tom and George have certainly done well in appointing Purslow and Ayre.
[/quote]

I could be wrong, but my understanding is that Purslow was appointed by RBS

 

[drizzt]

[quote author=Buddha link=topic=39159.msg1064003#msg1064003 date=1267701179]
Whatever their failings, Tom and George have certainly done well in appointing Purslow and Ayre.
[/quote]

Both of whom grew up on the kop?!?!?!? Imagine if Moores had just hired them, we'd have all the good without the 25m/year yank tax.

 

[drizzt]

[quote author=KopKing link=topic=39159.msg1064056#msg1064056 date=1267709840]
[quote author=Buddha link=topic=39159.msg1064003#msg1064003 date=1267701179]
Whatever their failings, Tom and George have certainly done well in appointing Purslow and Ayre.
[/quote]

I could be wrong, but my understanding is that Purslow was appointed by RBS
[/quote]

That's wishful thinking.

 

[Judge Jules]

My hunch is Statler and Waldorf made the appointment but were "encouraged" to do so by RBS or a combo of the banks to whom they/we owe money.

As for Moores having done it, might just as well imagine Kate Beckinsale slipping into bed with you wearing nothing but a bright smile, 'coz that's probably more likely as well as a lot more enjoyable.