silverfox
Well-Known Member
SHEFFIELD UNITED has set its sights on returning to both the Premiership and profitability next year following a disappointing season on the pitch.
Chairman Kevin McCabe said 2009 would be "a turning point for the company".
"We're going to get back into the Premiership," he said. "If there was any justice it would be this season, but it's certainly the plan for the next season. We are fully equipped for the Premiership, we've got a great stadium but this season has been a disappointment. We have the highest wage bill in the Championship and we've invested heavily, but it's only in the last few games we've taken off."
He was speaking yesterday as Sheffield United announced a pre-tax loss of £420,000 in the six months to December 31, against a £1.5m profit the previous year.
Turnover fell from £25.9m to £17.1m after TV revenues were slashed following the club's relegation.
"There is a huge gap in earnings between the two leagues," said Mr McCabe.
He added that while the group is in the Championship it needs to focus on generating revenue from the group's real estate and leisure interests.
"We can then generate the revenue to invest in football and get us back into the Premiership," he said.
A major profit generator will be the 158-bed four star Sheffield Copthorne Hotel at Bramall Lane which is due to open for business in October.
"Once the hotel is up and running, it will boost trading at our conference and banqueting facilities," said Mr McCabe.
Other plans for the leisure business include the opening of two or three more health clubs over the next few years. The group will have four health clubs open by the end of this year.
The group also has agreements with several foreign football clubs including Chengdu Blades in China and Ferencvaros in Hungary.
It is also close to signing a deal with Brazilian side Sao Paulo to secure young players to be developed in the European leagues.
"Our international activities should add value to the company within the near future with potentially three sister teams operating at high levels in their respective leagues," said Mr McCabe.
The club said it is the best supported in the Championship with average crowds of 25,002 so far this season.
"With over 19,000 season ticket holders the fans have managed to maintain the intensity of support on many occasions and it's clear the team
perform better when the crowd are fully behind them," said Mr McCabe.
In a bid to maintain this level of support next year the club is lowering prices of some season tickets and every adult that renews their season ticket will be given an under 12's season ticket for free.
Mr McCabe said the recent turmoil in the financial markets had led to a more challenging environment for the group's commercial property ventures.
The group expects to get a decision on plans to build an extension to the Kop and a nearby residential development within the next few months.
The extension will provide a further 3,500 seats and around 20,000 sq ft of office space.
"Along with our longer term plans to redevelop the Valad Stand, these plans will confirm the position of Bramall Lane as the best stadium in Yorkshire and a potential venue for England's 2018 World Cup bid," said Mr McCabe.
Chairman Kevin McCabe said 2009 would be "a turning point for the company".
"We're going to get back into the Premiership," he said. "If there was any justice it would be this season, but it's certainly the plan for the next season. We are fully equipped for the Premiership, we've got a great stadium but this season has been a disappointment. We have the highest wage bill in the Championship and we've invested heavily, but it's only in the last few games we've taken off."
He was speaking yesterday as Sheffield United announced a pre-tax loss of £420,000 in the six months to December 31, against a £1.5m profit the previous year.
Turnover fell from £25.9m to £17.1m after TV revenues were slashed following the club's relegation.
"There is a huge gap in earnings between the two leagues," said Mr McCabe.
He added that while the group is in the Championship it needs to focus on generating revenue from the group's real estate and leisure interests.
"We can then generate the revenue to invest in football and get us back into the Premiership," he said.
A major profit generator will be the 158-bed four star Sheffield Copthorne Hotel at Bramall Lane which is due to open for business in October.
"Once the hotel is up and running, it will boost trading at our conference and banqueting facilities," said Mr McCabe.
Other plans for the leisure business include the opening of two or three more health clubs over the next few years. The group will have four health clubs open by the end of this year.
The group also has agreements with several foreign football clubs including Chengdu Blades in China and Ferencvaros in Hungary.
It is also close to signing a deal with Brazilian side Sao Paulo to secure young players to be developed in the European leagues.
"Our international activities should add value to the company within the near future with potentially three sister teams operating at high levels in their respective leagues," said Mr McCabe.
The club said it is the best supported in the Championship with average crowds of 25,002 so far this season.
"With over 19,000 season ticket holders the fans have managed to maintain the intensity of support on many occasions and it's clear the team
perform better when the crowd are fully behind them," said Mr McCabe.
In a bid to maintain this level of support next year the club is lowering prices of some season tickets and every adult that renews their season ticket will be given an under 12's season ticket for free.
Mr McCabe said the recent turmoil in the financial markets had led to a more challenging environment for the group's commercial property ventures.
The group expects to get a decision on plans to build an extension to the Kop and a nearby residential development within the next few months.
The extension will provide a further 3,500 seats and around 20,000 sq ft of office space.
"Along with our longer term plans to redevelop the Valad Stand, these plans will confirm the position of Bramall Lane as the best stadium in Yorkshire and a potential venue for England's 2018 World Cup bid," said Mr McCabe.
