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With the remaining matches of the campaign set to be played behind closed doors, Cardiff City yesterday published their plans for existing 19/20 season tickets holders.

Commenting on the club announcement, Trust chair Keith Morgan said: “We’re pleased that Cardiff City has published the details of its proposals for season ticket holders and match ticket purchasers for the 2019-20 season.

“It appears from information received from the Football Supporters Association that there is no collective approach to this issue by Championship clubs with options varying club by club.

“However, if any of our members are unhappy at the options outlined by the club, we will put grievances directly to the club’s chief executive officer on their behalf. Members should email members@ccfctrust.org if they have an issue they would like us to raise.

“In addition, we will be seeking clarification from the club about what the loss of season ticket status and its benefits means for those fans who seek a cash refund. Would a “loss of status” apply for the rest of this season or next season when, for instance, there are usually early bird discounts on season tickets. Some fans may need a cash refund because of the impact of the coronavirus crisis on their family income.”

Congratulations to Trust Member Anthony Holloway. Many 100% correct answers were received to the quiz in the recent Trust magazine “Moving to a Different Beat”. He was the lucky member  whose name was drawn out of the hat and he wins the prize of £50.  Here are the answers to the questions set in the magazine

1 This Republic of Ireland international signed for the City for a club record £1m in July 2001 – who is he?

The run unto the 2001/02 season saw a bit of a spending spree with a number of players arriving to reinforce our effort to get out of the 3rd Division. Two notable signings were Neil Alexander and Spencer Prior but the most significant was the arrival of Graham Kavanagh from Stoke City for a club record fee of £1m. A highlight of that season was his superb free kick for the first goal in the memorable FA Cup victory over Leeds United. He undoubtedly became our most influential player and a firm favourite. However, whilst the big spending could be seen to have paid off when we were promoted the following season it was not financially sustainable. By 2004/05 club financial problems had mounted with wages not being paid and, as a result,  Kavanagh reluctantly departed, by helicopter, to Wigan for a  fee of £600,000 which enabled wages to be paid in the short term but was not an end to our problems. 

2. During the 2012/13 Championship promotion season David Marshall was ever present in league games but which keeper played in the 2 cup games that season?

We signed Joe Lewis on a Bosman in May 2012 to replace Tom Heaton who departed for the Wurzels. It was always going to be the case that Joe would be back up for first choice David Marshall and in his 1st season only played the 2 games including the forgettable FA Cup defeat at Macclesfield. Loans to Blackpool and Fulham followed and in 2016 he signed for Aberdeen where, in 2019, he was appointed club captain.

3. A remarkable example of club loyalty, this player was at Cardiff City between 1966 and 1977 only playing 68 league games before being promoted to a more senior role – who was he?

In terms of loyalty they don’t make players like Ritchie Morgan any more. Signed from Cardiff Corries in 1966 he made his league debut at home to Blackpool in April 1968 and for most of his career was understudy to Don Murray. His busiest season in terms of games was 1974/75 when he played 35 league and cup games after the departure of Don Murray. Unfortunately that season saw us relegated to Division 3. The following season saw him returning to the role of second string behind the likes of Mike England and Albert Larmour in a team that gained immediate promotion back to Division 2. He retired from playing in 1977 and the following year, after the departure of Jimmy Andrews he, very surprisingly, became the youngest manager in the club’s history at the age of 34. He was, controversially, relieved of his managerial duties in November 1981 with City 9th in Division 2. He assumed the role of General Manager with Graham Williams appointed as first team coach but, effectively, as manager. A run of 11 games resulting in 2 draws and 9 defeats saw Williams sacked and, unjustly, Morgan too. Len Ashurst’s appointment in March did not prevent our relegation. Ritchie  went on to manage Barry Town with some success.

4. In the 2002/03 – play offs who did Cardiff City beat in the semi-final before memorably beating QPR at the Millennium Stadium to gain promotion?

Andy Campbell’s extra time goal at the Millennium Stadium will always live in the memories of those who were there but it should not be forgotten that we were there following a more than satisfying semi final win over 2 legs against the Wurzels. I remember not feeling very optimistic as they had done the double over us in the league with Christian Roberts and Brian Tinnion getting a goal each in 2-0 defeats. However, a good 1-0 win at home in the 1st leg with a goal from the man wearing the magic hat set up a tense 2nd leg at Ashton Gate. Predictably they threw the kitchen sink at us but Prior and Gabbidon stood firm and a memorable save from Neil Alexander resulted in a 0-0 draw and a place in the final.

5. This England International striker, on loan to Cardiff City from Leeds in the 2005/06 season has a surname that suggests a Vitamin D deficiency – who is he?

Michael Ricketts features in the list of England “One Cap Wonders”. He won his cap whilst at Bolton Wanderers where his his goal scoring got him noticed, in particular a high profile winning goal at Old Trafford in the Premier League. However, the wheels seemed to come off his career. A £3.5m transfer to Middlesbrough resulted in a meagre 4 goals in 38 games and a free transfer to Leeds 17 months later where he failed to score in 25 league games. Loan spells with other clubs then commenced and, after zero goals for Stoke he came to us on loan. With a record like that you could understand why there was not much enthusiasm amongst the Cardiff following at his arrival. His goal in a 1-0 win against Leicester in his 2nd game was his first league goal for the best part of 2 years. His return of 5 goals from 17 games for us was quite good in the context of his career and I recall being a bit optimistic after a good start. However, that feeling quickly disappeared which is what happened to his career after he left us.

6. His father holds the record for the most appearances in a career for Manchester City, we signed him from Wolves and he was in the matchday squad for the 2008 FA Cup Final – who is he?

In 2007/08 we seemed to be all over the shop with goalkeepers with Peter Enckleman, Ross Turnbull, Kaspar Schmeichel, David Forde and Michael Oakes featuring in the first team. Come the FA Cup Final, painful memories bring back the fact that Enckleman started and Michael Oakes was on the bench. I remember Michael Oakes’s father, Alan, as a seemingly permanent feature in the midfield of Manchester City through thick and thin for many years- 680 first team appearances speaks for itself. I remember the excitement of us beating Barnsley in the semi final and the fact that we had actually reached an FA Cup Final brought a tear to my eye. The build up from the 6 April to 17 May 2008 was wonderful but come the game…………… ? I still haven’t forgiven Enckleman. Would Michael Oakes have made a difference ?

7. Which former Cardiff City player scored for Reading in the disastrous 2nd leg of the 2010/11 play off semi final?

More nightmare memories to be dredged up.  It started with a creditable draw at Reading but at the very heavy cost of a Bellamy hamstring which kept him out of the second leg. The absence of such a totemic player certainly dampened my expectations somewhat but I was not prepared for what happened on the night. Defensive calamities, Keinan trying to remove Matt Mills’s shirt in the penalty area with the inevitable result, Bothroyd, in his last game for us,  bottling a challenge on Reading keeper Adam  Federici and, say no more, Stephen Bywater – all features of the evening that come back to haunt me. A 3-0 home defeat is not good under any circumstances but this was too much to bear and the 3rd goal was put away by Jobi McAnuff, a  player I much admired during his short spell with us 6 years earlier.

8. In the summer of 2000 German side VfL Osnabrück signed which Cardiff City player at a knock down price compared to the £110,000 we paid SV Waldhof Mannheim?

Jörn Schwinkendorf. At the time I don’t think I could recall another 6’ 5” player in a City shirt before, particularly one who, so tall,  seemed to unable to get his head to the ball. He cost us £110,000 we could ill afford, only made 8 first team appearances and we eventually gave him away.

9. In 2018 which former Cardiff City player assisted Usain Bolt’s first official goal for Australian team Central Coast Mariners?

I don’t think Aston Villa look upon the £12m they paid Fulham for Ross McCormack as money well spent as it was here that his career seemed really to have nosedived. Cardiff City fans wondered what in earth the club had done when they let a player go for comparatively modest fee when he subsequently was transferred for fees of £11m and £12m with admirable scoring records at both Leeds and Fulham. However, perhaps his drink driving ban in Cardiff in November 2009 was indicative of how his private life may not have been  compatible with that of  someone playing at the highest level. Much to the annoyance of Villa fans he earned a £1m contractual promotion bonus despite not playing for them in that season. Whilst on loan to Central Coast Mariners he found himself laying on a goal for Usain Bolt. Ross, not one for keeping himself out of the news, was criticised in the Press recently for allegedly hosting  a party on 31 March during the lockdown after which Jack Grealish crashed his car.

10. He scored 34 goals for the City between 1993 and 1995 and also served in the Armed Forces in the Falklands Campaign – who is he?

Ooh aah ! After Fred Keenor, who was wounded at the Battle of the Somme, Phil Stant is possibly our most famous soldier. One thing that sticks in my mind about him is 2 hat tricks in the Welsh Cup in 1993, the first against the mighty Maesteg Park Athletic and the second against the no less mighty Rhyl. However,  the latter was  in the Final at the National Stadium (rugby!) and in a long career in somewhat modest levels of football, he regarded this as one of his great achievements.

The Trust, like all Bluebirds fans and everyone who saw him play, are devastated and shattered at the news of Peter’s passing at the age of just 35.

For many fans young and old, Whitts gave us some of our best Bluebird memories. He was a joy to watch.

Legend is a term often used too often – not for Whitts. A truly wonderful player who has gone far, far too early.

A wand of a left foot, brilliant on free kicks and corners and so, so many great goals. He was also a modest man who had no airs and graces.

Certainly, nobody did it better than Whitts.

The Trust offers its deepest condolences to Whitts’ family and friends. RIP Whitts.

You have left us with such wonderful memories to treasure for the rest of our lives.

Trust chair Keith Morgan, an accountant and football finance expert, gives his analysis of the latest audited accounts for the year ended May 31, 2019 submitted by Cardiff City Football Club (Holdings) Limited.

Cardiff City Football Club (Holdings) Limited

Commentary on the audited accounts for the year ended 31 May 2019

The following is my commentary on the audited accounts, which were signed off and approved by the board of directors and by the auditors on February 28, 2020.

Key Findings

1. There was a net loss for the year of £755k, after a tax charge of £3.3m, so a profit before tax of £2.6m. This compared to a net loss of £36m in the year to  May 31, 2018 (£39m before tax). There are two points to take into account in these figures. Firstly, the 2018 loss was significantly reduced down to £9m by a £27m revaluation adjustment on the club`s stadium. Secondly, the 2019 result is after making a provision of £19.5m in respect of the club`s dispute with Nantes FC over the Emiliano Sala transfer. The club have made clear that this provision has only been made in the profit and loss account on a prudent accounting basis and that its directors are of the opinion (based on legal advice received) that this sum will eventually prove to be not payable , with a consequential improvement in reported financial results.

2. As a consequence of the above loss, the club`s net liability position worsened slightly from £10.7m to £11.5m.

3. The group remains dependent upon the financial support of its owner Tan Sri Vincent Tan, but the accounts refer to his pledge to continue supporting the club financially for the foreseeable future.

Main Elements Of Reduction In Losses

These can be summarised as follows                                                             £m

Increase in revenue                                                                                         90.4

Increase in cost of sales                                                                                   (6.4)

Increase in Administrative expenses                                                           (47.8)

Decrease in interest payable                                                                            5.8

Increase in tax payable                                                                                     (6.6)

Smaller profit on sale of players                                                                      (0.2)

                                                                                                                           ——–

Net decrease in losses                                                                                     35.2

                                                                                                                    ———

Increase In Revenue

As a consequence of its season in the Premier League, income levels rose dramatically. Not only did broadcasting related revenues increase by £85m to £107m but gate receipts and sponsorship and advertising revenues also rose by over £5m.

Increase In Cost Of Sales

The main element of this was an (expected) increase in players` wages which rose by £11.3m to £42.5m. However, a significant part of this wages increase was offset by other wage reductions so that the overall increase in wage costs across the club was limited to £5.1m.

Increase in Administrative Expenses

These increased dramatically by £47.8m to £62.1m. Most of this increase was down to three main factors:

1. The provision of £19.5m in respect of the Emiliano Sala transfer dispute. As stated above, the directors do not believe that this amount will eventually prove to be payable, but have provided for it as a prudent accounting entry.
2. Player amortisation costs – the amount by which their cost is written off in the accounts across their contract periods – rose by over £10m as a result of player acquisition costs being far higher in recent years than in earlier seasons.
3. Player impairment costs – the extra write off made because players were worth less than their accounting written down value after annual amortisation (see above) when assessed at the year end. This figure was £11.6m in 2019 and zero in 2018. This figure would include , for example, an allowance for the termination of the contract of Gary Madine.

Decrease In Interest Payable

In 2018 there was a technical accounting tax charge of £6.4m which was not required in 2019. Other interest payable rose by £1.3m to £1.8m.

Increase In Tax Payable

Another accounting technical adjustment to do with tax timing differences rather than to do with the underlying business of the club.

Player Sale Profits

These were £2.4m in 2018 season and £2.2m last season.

The Balance Sheet

As stated above, the balance sheet position worsened slightly as a result of the reported net losses for the year.

The principal assets and liabilities as at May 31, 2019 were as follows:

Stadium Assets

Revalued professionally in May 2018 by independent valuers at £83.5m and since depreciated down to £82.8m. In addition to the stadium itself, its fixtures and fittings and training ground improvements had a value in the balance sheet of £1.6m.

Player Assets

The net (depreciated) value of players in the balance sheet at May 31, 2019 was £23.5m. The club has invested heavily in players over the last three seasons as funding support for its manager. In the year to May 31, 2018 it acquired new players of total value £14.3m (2017 was £5.9m), in the year to May 31, 2019 that rose to £38.2m and in the current season expenditure on new players has been £23.1m.

Although the club did not make major profits on the sale of players in that period, it was able to generate substantial cash inflows from the sale of players (Zahore,Reid,Manga etc) which helped offset the cash cost of new player registrations.

Other Assets

The club had £2.2m of cash at the bank as at May 31, 2019 and debts due to it of £14.2m (of which over £10m related to broadcasting income earned in the season but not received until after the year end).

Current Liabilities

In addition to the provision of £19.5m regarding a contract dispute referred to above (which may never actually be payable), the group had liabilities payable on or before  May 31, 2020 totalling £114m.

Of the above total of £114m, £40.1m is shown as due to the owner Vincent Tan , some £32.3m of his debt having apparently been repaid during the year. This reduction in debt due to him was replaced by other loans of £39.5m from other (unnamed) parties who are not shareholders or directors (if they were the loans would have had to have been disclosed as related party transactions).

The remaining debt due to TSVT is split into two elements. £14.8m is stated to be interest bearing at 7% a year and carrying the right to convert into shares with the vast majority of the balance being non-interest bearing and having no conversion rights. Both elements are secured by charges over the assets of the football group.

The loans from other parties are also stated to be secured over  future guaranteed income streams – probably broadcasting fees earned but not yet paid. That security would have had to be given with the specific consent of creditors having registered security over the group`s assets.

Summary And Conclusions

The season in the Premier League in 2018-19 enabled the club to make a profit from its trading activities of around £22m before tax and before making the provision for a debt which may or may not prove to be payable.

In addition, the resultant “parachute payments” receivable in the current season and, to a lesser extent, in 2020-21 season, will assist in stabilising the club`s financial position.

However, it must be appreciated that there will still be a major reduction in the club`s income stream as those payments are greatly less than the broadcasting rights the club earned in 2018-19. Costs will have to be controlled accordingly as best possible in order to comply with Profitability and Sustainability (Financial Fair Play) requirements of the EFL. It is therefore highly likely that the levels of recent expenditure on player recruitment will not be repeated in the near future.

The football club is also likely to remain reliant on the ongoing financial support of its owner, and others, for the foreseeable future.

The Trust has generously been donated a number of football books – both hard and soft cover.

The books are being sold for Headway Cardiff & South East Wales, our charity for the current season, which does fabulous work those suffering from brain injuries.

The volumes, which are just £2 for hard-back and £1 for soft-cover, include books by and about John Charles, Bobby Robson, Johan Cruyff, Diego Maradona, Robbie Fowler, Ron Atkinson, Jamie Carragher, Michael Ballack, Alec Ferguson, Ronaldo, Rio Ferdinand, Michael Owen and Neil Warnock.

You can pick up a book at the Trust’s office near Gate 5, which is open on match-days 90 minutes before kick-off.

Come along and pick up a book and help Headway’s work.