Darlington FC made an operating profit of £103,637 last season. The figure was boosted by runs in both the FA Trophy and FA Cup.
The fan-owned club managed to keep their expenses under control despite Covid problems.
Revenue was up at £828,123 and the Balance Sheet stands at £219,177.
This from Darlington:
2020/21 was a unique year in the history of Darlington FC with zero home games played in front of supporters. On the pitch under Alun Armstrong’s management, we reached the FA Cup 2nd round going one round better than the previous season and the Quarter Finals of the FA Trophy.
Costs were reduced versus the prior year primarily due to the early curtailment of the season. Turnover was up marginally assisted by the tailwinds of football fortune income and grant funding, alongside Quaker TV revenues. The overall effect was to more than offset the loss of our matchday income streams. The net result is an operating profit of £103,637. This was an exceptional outcome aided by several one-off factors. Without these one-off items the out-turn for the year would have been materially worse.
Our fan-owners continued support of the club financially was fundamental to our progress. Boost The Budget investment exceeded £130,000 and an overwhelming majority of supporters chose to either gift back or roll over their 20/21 season tickets into the current season. This is reflected in the significant improvement in our balance sheet.
Our FA Cup and Trophy runs generated over £100,000 of un-forecast revenue whilst the government furlough scheme and National Lottery grant funding also provided substantial support at various points across the year.
Without the early curtailment of the season, we would have incurred substantially higher costs in the final five months of the year. If we’d continued to play whilst receiving no in-person matchday income or grant funding, we would have had a particularly challenging period with significant financial losses forecast.