Football club makes £1.3m loss despite revenue boost

A non-league football club doubled its revenue last season, but still ended up with a £1.34m loss.

National League club Southend United published its finances for 2024-25, which showed its £5.1m revenue was boosted by £1.7m from Wembley ticket sales for last year's play-off final.

The Shrimpers once again missed out on a chance of promotion back to the English Football League this week after losing 1-0 to Scunthorpe United during the play-offs.

Chairman Justin Rees published a message to supporters saying: "We all share the same ambition to return to the EFL, and we will continue to move forward together."

He said despite sharing in "the disappointment of our play-off defeat", the club could "look ahead" to its FA Trophy final against Wealdstone on Sunday, 17 May.

"Whilst promotion was our primary goal this season, we now have another important opportunity ahead of us," he said.

"The opportunity to win a trophy, especially on the grand stage of Wembley, is something we should never take for granted."

United's finances are forecast to be down by just over £1m for the financial year 2025-6.

The club's overheads are predicted to rise to £1.89m compared with £1.27m in the previous two seasons.

The published finances represent the first full financial year after the club was taken over in July 2024.

"While the late completion of that process did have some impact, particularly on the pitch in the early part of the season, the club showed strong progress over the course of the year," its report said.

United said its focus off the pitch had been "stabilising" the club and "improving how we operate".

"At the same time, we have continued to invest in the playing squad and the club's infrastructure," it added.

Rees thanked the club's head coach Kevin Maher, his staff and players for their "efforts and professionalism".

He also thanked supporters after the Scunthorpe loss, saying: "The way the players and fans came together immediately after the final whistle, showing their appreciation for each other despite the disappointment, made us all very proud."

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