Brentford FC Accounts Show a Loss Made Last Season
Club's spending on new players partially offset by disposals
Brentford's players celebrate a 5-1 away win at Luton last season. Picture: Brentford FC
February 18, 2025
Brentford FC’s record as one of the few profitable Premier League clubs came to an end last season as the club invested heavily in new players.
The accounts for the year end 30 June 2024 did show that revenues had reached a record level but there was only an increase of a few thousand pounds on last year’s £166.5million.
Increased expenses, particularly player costs, meant that the club moved from a trading profit of £4.4million to an operating loss before player trading of £29.2million.
However, Brentford maintained its record of buying players cheaply and selling them at a big profit to bring in £25.2 million from this source helping to reduce the loss before tax to £7.9 million against a profit by this measure of £9.2million the season before.
The biggest gains were made on the sales of David Raya to Arsenal and Mads Bidstrup to RB Salzburg. The sale of Ivan Toney happened in August, after the accounting period, and therefore the profit impact of this sale will be shown in next year’s financial statements.
Profitability was hit by the club making a number of signings above the £20million which saw Brentford’s transfer record being broken more than once. The club’s wages to turnover ratio has risen to 69% from 59% the year before but this remains within the 85% limit set to be introduced in the Premier League.
The club’s lower finish in the league hit revenues with it falling from 9th to 16th resulting in a reduction of £7.7million in payments from the league although a higher placing is in prospect this season.
In other ways, it was a banner year for the club with Ivan Toney becoming the first Brentford player to represent England in a major tournament.
Brentford achieved Category 2 academy status, having previously operated at Category 4 and it successfully re-opened Wheatsheaf Park in Staines as the new home for its B team and under-18s fixtures. Under the leadership of Academy Director Stephen Torpey, the club has recruited an entirely new team of staff, to develop player talent through its academy. This upgrade to Category 2 status means that the club can introduce age groups from under-9s to under-16s and an under-21s side, allowing the academy to participate in an organised league programme.
Wheatsheaf Park. Picture: Brentford FC
Brentford Women enjoyed their most successful season to date in 2023/24, enjoying a Capital and Trophy Cup double, as well as a second-consecutive second-place finish in the London South East Division One North
Commercial income also decreased by £2.9m as a result of the departure of London Irish in July 23 when it fell into administration and the absence of any Women’s Euros games during the year.
Having had a surplus of £15million at the end of 2023, the club now has a cash deficit of £29.3million mainly made up of an overdraft facility. Much of the club’s other debt is held by owner Matthew Benham including loans relating to the development of the ground.
A statement made with the accounts addressed speculation that the club might be considering outside investment. It says, “While Matthew Benham’s commitment to the club remains as strong as it ever was, it is only natural, and perhaps even essential, for us to carefully explore what new investment could potentially mean for the future of Brentford FC.”
Cliff Crown, chair of Brentford, said, “Our third season in the Premier League demonstrated the collective efforts of everyone involved at the club. While the team faced challenges on the pitch, the commitment and resilience of our players, staff, and supporters remained strong.
“We continued to make strides, with our owner Matthew Benham, the board of directors, and our dedicated staff driving progress. Our fans and partners have provided important support throughout the season, reinforcing our ambition for continued growth and success in the Premier League.
“Our financial results reflect a combination of significant investment across the club and a lower finishing position in the Premier League after a tough year hampered by player injuries.
“We invested heavily in the playing squad, our academy, facilities and staffing in order to compete on the field and lay the foundations for the future."
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