Club Statement: Annual Financial Report

The Club has submitted its annual report and financial statements for the year ending June 2023.

Football and Operational Highlights

• The Club enjoyed their first season back in the EFL in 11 years, narrowly missing out on promotion in the Play-off final.
• Reached the third round of the Emirates FA Cup for the second time in three years.
• Set a new attendance record at an all-seater Edgeley Park with 10,319 fans packed in to see our final game of the season against Rochdale.
• The Club opened the County Courtyard to bring fans together before and after games in a family friendly environment adding to the matchday experience. The total investment cost to the Club was £280,000.
• Achieved a new club record of over 5,300 season tickets sold.

Financial Highlights

• Income almost doubled to £8.6m (2022: £4.6m). 
• Group operating loss decreased to £4.7m (2022: loss of £4.8m).
• Total Assets increased to £4.1m (2022: £3.6m)
• Creditors falling due within a year decreased to £2.1m (2022: £2.7m)
• Creditors falling due after more than 1 year increased to £7m (2022: £1m)
• This includes a £1m loan from Sport England – Sport Winter Survival Loan & a £36k Bounce Back Loan.
• The remaining balance relates to a £5.9m loan from the owner Mark Stott, which was swapped into equity post year end.

Jonathan Vaughan, CEO said…

“The 22/23 season was a successful one on and off the pitch. Unfortunately, we were a penalty kick away from achieving our ultimate goal of back to back promotions. That being said, our first season back in the EFL illustrated that we have the team, fanbase and ambition to compete at this level.

“I would personally like to thank all fans who came to support us throughout the season and those who made the trip down to Wembley for the play-off final.

“This year’s loss is inline with budget and is to be expected at this stage of the Club’s strategic plan. The key drivers of the loss this season can be attributed to an increase in playing budget as we invested in order to compete in League Two and the increased cost of establishing and operating our Academy.

“The Club was proud to achieve Category 3 Academy status and has ambitious plans to make the Academy one of the leading programmes in the country.

“A significant increase in revenues in the 22/23 season was driven by high ticket sales, increased league funding from the EFL, strong retail sales and a burgeoning F&B operation at the stadium.

“I would again like to take the opportunity to thank all fans, sponsors and the local community who supported the club throughout the season.”