BRISBANE Roar will slash expenditure next season in a bid to reduce
their annual losses by more than $1.8 million, according to comparative
figures sent to potential investors by club chairman and Bakrie Group
identity Chris Fong.
The Courier-Mail gained access to the document, which states
the Roar are forecasting a loss of more than $2.25 million for the
current financial year, which ends on June 30.
But the deposed
A-League champions have predicted they can reduce their annual loss to a
little more than $423,000 by the end of June next year.
The
figures state that the Roar plan to reduce their spending by more than
$2.28 million in the next financial year (July 1, 2015 to June 30,
2016).
More than $920,000 is money they will save by not being in the 2016 AFC Champions League.
Fong
on Thursday denied cuts to the football department and junior clinics
despite numbers – and the departure of football director Ken Stead –
suggesting otherwise.
According to the document, the Roar plan to:
● Cut spending on players’ and coaches’ salaries and employment by more than $565,000.
● Reduce expenses for the club’s A-League, W-League and National Youth League team by close to $730,000.
● Cut costs on junior clinics and programs by more than $120,000.
But
Fong rejected claims of a reduction in football spending, and said the
Roar would not be affected in terms of retaining players and attracting
new talent.
“There are no cuts,” Fong said.
“Brisbane Roar
FC will increase spending next season in areas related to football. The
club always has, and always will, strive for the highest levels of
success within each competition in which the Roar is involved.”
Fong also said there would be no cost cutting on junior clinics and programs.
“Community
engagement and grassroots coaching is extremely important to Brisbane
Roar FC and we place a very high value on our ongoing programs in these
areas,” he said.
However, club owners the Bakrie Group remain committed to finding new investors for the Roar.
“The
Bakrie Group has previously stated it believes the time is right to
share the vision for the club’s future and it would consider offers to
bring in a strategic partner with the same goals and values as Brisbane
Roar FC,” Fong said.
The document also states that the Roar plan
to reduce spending on membership, marketing and event expenses, as well
as business management salaries and employment.
However, the figures also reveal increased match day, sponsorship and media expenditure.
Meanwhile, Ben Mannion has resigned as Football Queensland chief operating officer.