Just received this report with the first page highlights listed as

turnover increased by 15% to 32.2m (2000: £28.1m)Total operating expenses increase held to 3% at £30.4m (2000: £29.4m)Operating profit before player trading up 17% to £6.8m (2000: £5.8m)Player trading deficit fell by 29% to £5.2m (2000: £7.1m)Profit on ordianry activities after tax £5000 (2000: loss of £999s,000)Adjusted earnings per share of 3.4p (2000: 3.0p)Interim dividend increased form 0.6p per share to 1.03p per share.

Which is all fine & dandy; match revenues are up 30% to 16.1m aswell as branded sales increase of 23% to £3.2m (32,000 sales of change strip). So despite us being in a crock of shit with regards to debt we seem to be trading ok, imagine if the team was any good.

The bit that baffles me is depreciation of assets (players) how do they work that on? 20% per season?

-- Anonymous, April 24, 2001

Answers

I had my "how to" htlm pamphlet in front of me and still managed to fluff the formatting.

-- Anonymous, April 24, 2001

I believe they presently depreciate the playing assets over the life of the players contract, Tony. Hence 5 years - 20% per year, straight- line, seems OK.

-- Anonymous, April 24, 2001

Shares have reached the giddy heights of 42p after that display on Tuesday. Following the trend; after L'pool massacre us they should rocket.

-- Anonymous, May 04, 2001