Relegation proves costly for Baggies

West Bromwich Albion lost £7.5m in the year they were relegated, after trying to spend their way to survival.

The club increased its wage bill to £92.2m while also outlaying £45.9m on new players.

Mark Jenkins, who returned as chief executive in February 2018 after previously doing the job for six years before the 2016 takeover of the club, said funds had been “exhausted” during an expensive season.

Revenues were down by 10%, to £124.8m, in the year to June 2018.

Jenkins said “the club remains on a solid financial footing and can look forward to the future with confidence” and there is still the chance of an immediate return to the Premier League.

Despite recent wobbles on the pitch, which resulted in manager Darren Moore being sacked in March, the club is fourth in the Championship and will probably be in the play-offs at the end of the regular season.