"Saints only profitable club"

[Soggypitch]

"Northampton the only profitable club in the northern hemisphere" said Alan Robson, Saints Chief Executive this afternoon on BBC Radio Northampton.

Is he correct? It sounds like an extraordinary statement to make, perhaps somebody at Leicester Tigers may care to respond on BBC Radio Leicester?!

[sam16111986]

Depends on how you define profit. We made a proft in the previous year but made a taxable profit loss because we had prior year losses to offset against the profit. Well so I was led to believe by the news that came out of the AGM anyway.

Saints operate in a similar way to ourselves, the crucial difference is we are looking at an ambitious expansion project and they are not, that could affect our short term profitability but should offer us increased long term income streams.

[kornboy130]

Quite.

For the next few seasons it is unlikely we make a profit, but rather a small but relatively insignificant loss off each year but all for the greater good of a much expanded stadium and brand to go with it.

[boon]

robson is putting some extra politicians spin on good news. he's not wrong, we have the best record over the years, but its not the whole story either.

tigers did have a (minor) loss one year, breaking a chain of profits, while saints managed to turn a small profit even in our league one sojourn. so saints have a better run over the years.

the suits can get into a *ahem* spitting contest if they want, i'm just happy that my club is being so well stewarded in difficult times, and i imagine it will be the same for you guys.

& a timely reminder for many outside the saints who still think saints have a sugar daddy in keith barwell, when in fact he hasnt subsidised the club since the share flotation a decade back.

[Ads677]

As the sage told "there are lies, lies and statistics"; nuff said!

[mol2]

Why would a club want to make a profit?
The only reason to make a substantial profit is to keep the shareholders happy.
As that doen't really apply to us to make a significant profit is only for the benefit of the tax man so it's better for the club to spend the income on developments that minimise taxable profit.

Not making a profit doesn't mean we are not solvent just that we have ways of spending our income.

[WhitecapTiger]

As the sage told "there are lies, lies and statistics"; nuff said!

Lies, DAMN lies and statistics....surely?!?!

[Richard]

As the sage told "there are lies, lies and statistics"; nuff said!

Lies, DAMN lies and statistics....surely?!?!

And dont call him Shirley....

[Ads677]

Hmmm, quite like Shirley!

[Stupid]

robson is putting some extra politicians spin on good news. he's not wrong, we have the best record over the years, but its not the whole story either.

tigers did have a (minor) loss one year, breaking a chain of profits, while saints managed to turn a small profit even in our league one sojourn. so saints have a better run over the years.

I completely agree that it is good that both clubs are being run well.

There is definitely some spin on it, and even your 'best record' comment is subjective. Most profit this year in isolation, or most number of years in profit in the last 11 would be correct. However, best record could mean a number of things, average profit over the 11 years would probably be better for Tigers, and Tigers turnover is much higher (£18.5m to £13m) with the losses this year and last only because of the stadium redevelopment (which will increase revenue and profits in the future).