The statement below is noticeably, and unsurprisingly, more vague about things than last years excellent figures.  Obviously the good spin is that we met, or even bettered, our target, however any ideas on what time period we are talking about? Does this include the Jimmies/MMc change over?  Would also be interesting to know the bottom line: turnover, debt, wages.

 

From Redweb...

 

 

Aberdeen Football Club plc Announce Annual Results to 30th June 2009 -

 

Operating Target Met for the Fifth Year in Succession

 

Aberdeen Football Club plc today announced the trading results for the year ended 30 June 2009 which confirms that for the fifth year in a row the Club achieved its stated operating target.

 

Commenting on the results Pittodrie Managing Director Duncan Fraser said "In the previous Financial and Operating Review I stated that I expected an operating loss before depreciation and amortisation of over £600,000 as a result of the continuing growth on the base football budget. Even after exceptional items that operating loss came in at £322,000.

 

"In delivering the budget year on year we have demonstrated to our creditors our commitment to keep tight control on the business to avoid the type of drastic measures faced by an increasing number of clubs throughout the country."

 

Even allowing for the extremely limited number of cup ties at Pittodrie during the period covered, the Club achieved the second highest turnover in its history and the wages to turnover ratio after adjusting for royalties came in at 58 per cent, within the recommended industry targets.

 

Commenting on the much publicised Setanta Sports failure Fraser indicated that " It has been well documented the position that we took with regards to this and the consequences of that decision will be in the region of £3 million in lost revenue to our club over the coming 3 years. Since my appointment to the SPL Board in January 2009 there has been a new Chairman and Chief Executive brought on board and I believe we can work towards a position whereby we can get a more viable television deal when we go back to the market at the appropriate time."

 

Looking ahead Fraser said, "With the challenging economic conditions faced by all organisations it is vital the Club maximises its cash generating potential. This will include continuing to strive for playing success and the rewards that go with it, while at the same time developing as many quality players as possible through our own youth development system."

 

In that regard Fraser again paid tribute to Willie Miller and the football department, "The Club had the foresight to deliver real investment into youth development and, down to the hard work of the likes of Willie Miller, Lenny Taylor, Neil Simpson and the rest of the staff we are seeing tangible rewards in this area, which the management team is already benefitting from."

 

In terms of the new stadium, Chairman Stewart Milne acknowledged the importance of the identification of the site at Loirston Loch for the proposed development stating, "This project has the potential to deliver a top class facility providing enormous benefits to the region as well as the Club, and it represents the most ambitious new-build stadium in Scotland for many years."

 

He also recognised the need for a successful team on the park to run in parallel with this. "The Board recognises the work undertaken by Duncan Fraser and Willie Miller in challenging economic conditions that they both acknowledge and understand." He also paid tribute to the Pittodrie staff who he stated have been, "extremely dedicated and committed to succeed in the difficult economic conditions facing all sectors, not just football."

 

The Club has confirmed that this year's Annual General Meeting will take place on the evening of Monday 23rd November at Pittodrie Stadium.

According to the accounts we actually have a higher wage bill now than we did in 2003.

 

Does seem a massive increase in the debt that year in particular.

Pele's Bar tab and taxi fares?

 

That doesn't look like a rosey picture to me.

 

Personally I'm sick of this so called plan(cough) that they seem to be trundling out each season to the detriment of just about everything that steps onto the park each weekend.

 

Regardless of who the manager has been over the last decade we've had players filling in positions that's not their own.  Not because of injuries but because we refuse to pay cash to fill positions on the park by professionals whose role in life is to play that particular position.  We've been screaming out for a captain whilst constantly citing "<insert non-captain material's name> isn't captain material".  We're continually losing first team regulars (high earners?) each season and not even bothering to replacing them  We've not had a goal machine since Stavrum and if you asked someone down at Pittodrie what a striking partnership is they'd probably offer you a macaroni pie with a can of Irn Bru.

 

All this and a whole fuck more, and for what?

 

To watch the debt increase each season whilst everything else takes a plummet.  We're treading water and will continue to do so until they move us out Cove and sell off our only asset.  There is no Plan B.

 

This is exactly why people are staying away in their droves and to be honest, I'm finding it difficult to really care about results one way or another theses days.  And I know plenty mates who feel exactly the same, diehards who have had season tickets for as long as they can remember aren't even bothering to go to the 'big games'.

 

Maybe Plan B is to move out to Cove so they're out of sight and out of mind, and close the doors behind them with minimum fuss?