Chesterfield AGM 2023 - live updates

Fan: Are you sure this won’t happen again?

Goodwin: “Absolutely. We are a bit unhappy with Barclaycard because that should have been flagged up.

“I can’t speak too much about it because it is the subject of a police investigation.”

“It is tough if you want to stay competitive. It is no surprise that the teams at the top of the league have the biggest budgets.

“I know it has been said that we chased promotion, there is some truth in that. “

The chief financial officer says that the club has lost £808,000 in the first eight months of this financial year, which according to Mr Fantom, is to be expected.

Confirms he is putting another £1m in.

His brother Ashley is going to be deputy chairman - he will be ‘nearly full-time’ but won’t take any money or a car. Same for Phil.

Phil will also be coming on to the board.

Goodwins says that there are a number of ‘extra-ordinary reasons’ for the £2.3m loss.

Some of these include:

- £485k written off in transfers fees

- 65k of old debts written off

- Playing budget was increased over expected amount due to nine players injured last season

- On a separate note, Goodwin also says there is a claim against the ongoing credit card fraud cause (police investigation so can’t much more on that)

Is investor Phil Kirk, Mike Goodwin, Terry Ward, Dave Simmonds, Andy Fantom, Dr Paul Stankard and Howard Freeman from Shorts accountants.

Chief executive John Croot and Ashley Kirk are not here.

Gates and season tickets

2022: £2,049,047

2021: £176,793

TV and football awards

2022: £257,539

2021: £276,832

Transfer fees

2022: £40,000

2021: £105,000

Commercial income

2022: £1,311,932

2021: £521,139

Other income

2022: £269,490

2021: £919,197

Total turnover

2022: £3,928,008

2021: £1,998,961

“As always, the playing budget is an area that needs constant monitoring. It is no longer just about delivering on the field but having attractive assets developed that can provide a financial return. An increased number of scouts coming to matches means there are players that are getting attention and while this might mean team changes it makes economic sense as a business model. As well as the trust there are a new set of eyes on the business from a director who has considerable business experience, meaning every aspect of the business is being looked at in a critical fashion. This means that there will be efficiencies identified but we will also recognise opportunities particularly around commercial aspects and in marketing.

“In terms of judging performance we would want to see the turnover rise each year. However, any rise should be generated by increased income. We are looking at more business away from matchdays and greater commercial opportunities. That said, our primary business is football so having increased our season ticket numbers to 3,700 from fewer than 2,800 before we took over, we have set a target of 4,000 for next year. After recent sell-out matches, we want to see a full Technique Stadium as a regular occurrence rather than a once in a decade highlight! Last season’s average attendance was the best since of League One days; this season’s crowds currently show an extra 500 fans per game and this has to become the norm. These numbers clearly mean more income but also help the community reach of a club that is part of the social infrastructure of the town.”

In his notes he says: “In March 2022, new investment was brought in when the Kirk family provided a loan to the club of one million pounds. The loan provided by Phil Kirk, a long-time supporter of the club, was not the only benefit the family brought to the club. Ashley Kirk, a successful local business man, joined the board bringing a skill set of increased business experience.”

Mike Goodwin, in his notes, says: “This report covers the first full financial year since Chesterfield FC Community Trust purchased the football club. The trust acted to ensure that Chesterfield would continue to have a professional club, knowing that this also meant the charity could continue to deliver the good work in our community. None of us ever thought this process would be easy.

“The annual accounts show a significant deficit but this should be considered alongside various adjustments that have become necessary. A realistic deficit is closer to £1m which is a similar level to the current year. The involvement of Ashley and Phil Kirk has helped both in terms of short-term finances and in bringing a strong business acumen to the club.

“The proposal for a share issue to Phil Kirk that is going to the AGM means a level of security that will stabilise the club. Phil is expected to join the board following this investment. Ashley is already a director but will be taking a more day-to-day role around the club.

“Looking at last year we went one place better and one play-off round better than the season before. However, the enforced change of manager and then a serious injury to Kabby Tshimanga meant that a season where we were challenging for the automatic spot ended with disappointment. This season it again looks like we might have to settle for another play-off spot; this is as much about the unusual strength of a couple of sides in this season’s National League as our teams performance.

“With the last financial year seeing crowds return, I was pleased with the numbers attending matches. While season ticket numbers did not initially increase on pre-pandemic numbers, the crowds were higher than we expected. Numbers grew through the season particularly on the back of our being drawn at Chelsea in the FA Cup. Now season tickets into this season are around a thousand higher than before we took over. For two matches last season more than 9,000 fans came to the Technique Stadium including our largest number of home fans for a match in a decade. Those numbers have continued this season with two recent games sold out.

“The involvement of so many local people whether attending the stadium for matches, for events or as part of the work of the Community Trust shows how important it was to safeguard Chesterfield FC for the future.”