West Ham record UK£28.8 million loss for 2018/19

Liam Watson
English Premier League side West Ham United have posted a pre-tax loss of UK£28.2 million (AU$54.5 million) for the year ending 31st May 2019.

The Hammers’ turnover climbed from UK£175 million (AU$338.3 million) to UK£190.7 million (AU$368.3 million) last season – of that amount, UK£127 million (AU$245.3 million) came from broadcasting and a further UK£27 million (AU$52.1 million) from match days.

However, this was offset by the wage bill rising by almost UK£30 million (AU$57.9 million) to UK£135.8 million (AU$262.3 million). This took the Hammers’ wages-to-turnover ratio to 71 per cent, a year-on-year jump of ten per cent.

The club also invested heavily in the playing squad, spending UK£107.9 million (AU$208.4 million) on signings. UK£4 million (AU$7.7 million) was also spent on improving their Rush Green training ground and a further UK£600,000 (AU$1.2 million) on their women’s team, which now competes in the top-flight Women’s Super League (WSL).

Vice Chairman Karren Brady’s salary rose by nearly UK£250,000 (AU$482,825) to UK£1.14 million (AU$2.2 million), while co-owners, David Sullivan and David Gold, were paid a combined UK£1.9 million (AU$3.7 million) as interest on their loans to the club of UK£45 million (AU$86.9 million). A total of UK£1 million (AU$1.9 million) was also paid to them in partial repayment of their loans.

West Ham made UK£26.9 million (AU$52 million) in 2015/16, their final season at the Boleyn Ground before moving to their current home of Olympic Stadium which seats 60,000 people. That increased to UK£28.6 million (AU$55.2 million) in 2016/17 but fell to UK£24.5 million (AU$47.3 million) for 2017/18.

Despite the substantial outlay on wages and signings, the club have slipped to 18th in the Premier League, joining Watford and Norwich City in the relegation zone.

‘Retention of our status in 2019/20 season is an absolute necessity for the future wellbeing of the club,’ said West Ham in their accounts, adding there will be ‘serious financial consequences’ should they be relegated into the Championship.

A 3-3 draw with Brighton means the Hammers are still without a league win since thumping Bournemouth 4-0 a month ago, but West Ham are only two wins away from 14th-placed Crystal Palace.

With 25 rounds played, there’s still time for West Ham to turn around their form.

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Adelaide United renews StudyAdelaide partnership for Asian campaign

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Image Credit: AFC

Adelaide United has brought back a familiar commercial partner for its return to continental competition, with StudyAdelaide signing on as front-of-shirt sponsor for the club’s 2026/27 AFC Champions League Two campaign.

The partnership reconnects two South Australian organisations after StudyAdelaide previously featured on Adelaide United’s shirt during their 2010 AFC Champions League campaign.

Adelaide commenced their six-match group-stage campaign on Thursday at Hindmarsh, defeating Hong Kong’s Tai Po 3-0.

For StudyAdelaide, the value of the partnership extends beyond traditional football sponsorship. The organisation, a partnership between the South Australian Government and more than 50 education institutions, is using Adelaide United’s Asian competition to promote South Australia as an international study destination.

The club’s continental schedule provides exposure in several key Asian markets, with Adelaide travelling to face BG Pathum United in Thailand and Lion City Sailors in Singapore during the group stage.

StudyAdelaide chief executive Jane Johnston said the partnership would provide a great opportunity to connect with young people across Asia.

“Having StudyAdelaide featured throughout this international competition is a unique platform to connect with young people across Asia and highlight the many reasons South Australia is their best option to study, live and build a career,” Johnston said.

The deal illustrates how football’s international competitions can provide commercial value beyond traditional brand exposure, particularly for organisations looking to promote to a specific or new region.

The Reds’ ACL Two campaign continues against BG Pathum United in Thailand on October 15.

Arncliffe Aurora’s Riverine Park investment creates a platform for growth

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Image Credits: Arncliffe Aurora

Arncliffe Aurora Football Club has started a new chapter with the launch of Riverine Park, creating a larger platform for football, community engagement and long-term growth in Sydney’s St George region. More than 2,500 people attended the community opening on 8 August, marking the club’s first matches at its new home and showcasing a significant upgrade in its operating capacity.

Riverine Park provides two full-size natural turf football fields, modern player and community amenities, and a new clubhouse. The additional capacity responds to strong growth in Arncliffe Aurora’s football programs, particularly at junior level. The club has also highlighted a $2.5 million investment in facility upgrades. Together with its existing Arncliffe Park base, Riverine Park gives Aurora two homes and a stronger physical platform for its football operations.

More capacity allows the club to accommodate more teams, players and programs, while updated facilities can support stronger member retention and recruitment. They create more opportunities for coaching, development programs, events and community activities. The new site can also strengthen the club’s commercial proposition; a modern facility gives sponsors greater visibility and provides more opportunities to activate partnerships around football and community events. It can also help the club build relationships with schools, community organisations and football bodies. That matters as grassroots clubs increasingly operate as community hubs rather than simply sporting organisations.

Riverine Park also creates opportunities for the wider football ecosystem. Football St George has identified the facility as a platform to grow participation and provide opportunities for players of different ages, abilities and backgrounds. Bayside Council’s project includes upgraded change rooms, toilets, canteen facilities, lighting, seating and solar panels, adding further functionality to the precinct.

For Arncliffe Aurora, the investment is therefore about more than adding fields. It creates infrastructure that can support participation, player development, community programs and commercial activity over the long term. The challenge now shifts from construction to utilisation. The club must maximise the new capacity, maintain the assets and convert greater participation into a sustainable operating model to benefit the community long-term.

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