Premier League relegation results in £30m losses

Poor results on the football pitch have created poor results off it for Stoke City, which has slumped to a £30m loss following relegation from the Premier League.

The club ended a 10-year run in the top division when it was relegated in May, and the financial results for the year to May ends a five-year run of profitability.

Relegation resulted in the club revaluing its playing squad down by £29.3m.

It had invested in its playing squad during the season, purchasing Kevin Wimmer and Badou Ndiaye, as it sought to maintain its Premier League status. However by the year end its transfer dealings had generated profits of £22.2m.

The club increased its salary bill by £10m, to £94.2m, while its TV income was reduced by £8m, although stayed above £100m.

Its current financial year will be boosted by further sales, including Xherdan Shaqiri to Liverpool which was reported to be worth £13m. Stoke City, which is owned by bet365 Group, will also benefit from substantial parachute payments.

However an immediate return to the Premier League is looking unlikely after an indifferent start to the season. The club is 14th in the Championship having won five of its 17 league matches, and in a tight league is almost exactly halfway between the play-off places and the relegation zone.