Saints cite roadworks in six-figure sum loss

PERTH: Missing out on top-six finish in Scottish Premiership also cost club dearly

Roadworks have been blamed for losses at St Johnstone Football Club totalling hundreds of thousands of pounds. The club has posted a loss of £258,000 for the last year, after missing out on a top-six finish in the Scottish Premiership last season. Club chairman Steve Brown also claimed the A85/A9 link road work around McDiarmid Park has cost them £400,000 through commercial losses and match-day disruption. He said: “The A9/A85 link road has been a distraction and irritant to the board of directors since October 2013. “I said from the outset that this project would have a huge effect on the operation of the club and it has certainly had a highly detrimental effect on our commercial income, as well as creating significant disruption to supporters.” The accounts revealed Saints’ unprecedented spell in Scotland’s top flight is coming at a price of £65,000 per week in running costs.

Roadworks around McDiarmid Park have cost St Johnstone £400,000, it has been revealed, as the club posted a loss. Club chairman Steve Brown revealed the A9/A85 link road work has hit the club’s coffers hard, as well as inconveniencing supporters. He was speaking as he revealed the club has made a £258,000 loss after missing out on a top six finish in the Scottish Premiership last season. In his annual report to shareholders, Mr Brown revealed running costs had touched a record £65,000 a week. He said: “The A9/A85 Link Road has been a distraction and irritant to the board of directors since October 2013 and back then we certainly didn’t envisage that we would be looking at a scheduled completion date of January 2019. “I said from the outset that this project would have a huge effect on the operation of the club and it has certainly had a highly detrimental effect on our commercial income, as well as creating significant disruption to both home and away supporters and the wider local community on match days. “However, with the proposed completion date on the horizon we can look forward to better access and egress making traffic management smoother.” On the football front, Saints are enjoying an unprecedented spell in Scotland’s top flight and despite missing out on the top six last season, Mr Brown praised manager Tommy Wright and his players. He said: “The football operation now runs at a cost in the region of £65,000 per week – the highest ever in the club’s history – with players in our first team squad on six-figure basic salaries. “That level of investment can only be sustained through success on the pitch. “In that respect, season 2017-2018 was extremely disappointing from a financial perspective. “The board are not reluctant to invest in the playing squad but if we are going to spend at a high level then success is imperative and if we underperform then a net loss is inevitable.” He added: “In terms of league performance, I would not be too critical of a team that finished in eighth place in an increasingly competitive environment. “Indeed, it served to highlight the fantastic achievement of recent top six finishes by the management and players. “However, the harsh reality is that the difference in fees received between sixth place and eighth place is the best part of £200,000 – a figure which would put a very different complexion on the financial outcome we are reporting. “We are continuing to be competitive in respect of player salaries and, as ever, we will strive to give the manager as much financial support as is available to us.” The club has cash reserves in the region of £2 million, he said.

It has certainly had a highly detrimental effect on our commercial income, as well as creating significant disruption to both home and away supporters and the wider local community on match days. ST JOHNSTONE CHAIRMAN STEVE BROWN