Manchester United Fans Club

United have announced record turnover and profits for the year ended 30 June 2007, underpinned by the Reds Premier League title success last season.The financial results confirm United’s leading position in world sport based on the team’s on-field success, Old Trafford’s expansion and increased sponsorship revenue.

The key factors in United’s increased financial results are as follows:

- Group turnover increased 27% to £210m (2006 - £165m)

- Gross turnover (including sales from Nike merchandise and MUTV not consolidated in these results) rose 21% to £245m (2006 - £202m)

- EBITDA rose 72% to £79.8m (2006 - £46.3m)

- Profit before tax jumped 93% to £59.6m (2006 - £30.8m)

- Matchday revenue up 30% to £92.6m, (2006 - £71.3m) reflecting successful expansion of Old Trafford, increasing capacity to over 76,000

- Media revenue up 35% to £61.5m (2006 - £45.5m) due to semi-final appearance in the UEFA Champions League, finalists in the FA Cup and winning the Barclays Premier League

- Commercial revenues up 15% to £56.0m (2006 - £48.6m) due to the first year of the world record AIG shirt and accompanying financial services sponsorship deals, increase in the Nike contract and new platinum sponsors, Kumho Tires, Betfred and Hestiun

- Wages to turnover ratio fell to 43.6% (2006 - 51.6%) comfortably within the Club’s historic aim to keep the figure around 50%

- The Club continues to be the only one in the Premier League to disclose the total payments in the year to players’ agents - a practice it believes to be something all clubs should adopt. In 2006/07, that figure was £2.1m (2006 - £1.8m).

- Independent research indicates that the Club has 333 million followers around the world with 139 million ‘core’ fans.

David Gill, Chief Executive, said: “This is a remarkable, record set of results. The expansion of Old Trafford, allied with the ability of Sir Alex Ferguson’s team to continue to attract full houses at every game, and the increase in media and sponsorship revenues have all combined with team success to produce a substantial financial improvement.

“Group turnover was £210m, positioning the Club as a true leader in world sports, underpinned by a near doubling in pre-tax profits of £59.6m. I am confident that the uplift in the Premier League television deal, together with our new sponsorship sales structure will enable the Club to continue to increase its revenues and profitability to provide support to the team’s quest for further on-field success.”

source: www.manutd.com

Manchester City have written to their fans to urge them to respect the 50th anniversary of the Munich Disaster when they take on United. City go to United on February 10, four days after the anniversary of the plane crash which claimed 23 lives, including eight United players and ex-City keeper Frank Swift.

There are fears City fans may ruin the proposed minute’s silence, so boss Sven Goran Eriksson and skipper Richard Dunne have helped pen a letter to encourage their supporters to behave. The letter reads: “Prior to this game, the 50th Anniversary of the Munich Air Disaster will be marked with a special commemoration.

Many supporters will already be aware that City lost one of our own in the tragedy, goalkeeper Frank Swift. We ask all supporters uphold the good name of Manchester City and support the commemorations which will also be attended by friends and family of the victims including Frank Swift’s family.”

The club have confirmed they will spend a week in South Africa as part of their pre-season preparations for the 2008/09 campaign.

The travelling party, which will be confirmed at a later date but will include those players not involved in Euro 2008, will fly out on 19 July for their seven-day trip.

Full details of match dates will be communicated by Sir Alex Ferguson at a press conference in February.

The Reds last visited South Africa in 2006 and the United boss is looking forward to the team’s summer return.

“We really enjoyed our visit in 2006,” he said. “The atmosphere in all the stadiums and the enthusiasm from the fans helped make for a great trip. All the facilities were first class and I am looking forward to returning.”