Bees Back in Black

By Sarah Tunney
July 19 2004

Pertemps Bees RFC have finished an outstanding season by making a remarkable turnaround and finishing the financial year in the black! After a £216,427 loss in 2002/03, the club has turnaround their finacial problems to make a proffit of £24,514.

This season, the large amount of commercial activity has played a large role in helping the clubs financially with generating £110,000. There has also been an improvement in matchday’s gate taking to £54,767 from £21,313.

The Bees financial situation has also been helped by our three-year Coach Development programme which saw the club achieve £22,255 through it.

Chairman Steve Blundell told members and local press…

"The board are pleased to report a profit. A small profit, but a profit nonetheless and when one considers previous years, this could be considered as miraculous a result as that against London Wasps!

"But a word of warning: this league is becoming increasingly challenging. The budgets of some of our rivals are quite unbelievable. Some are funded by wealthy owners and most enjoy a healthier support-base than we see at Sharmans Cross Road.

"But whilst we have control over our costs and the right team is in place to bring in a certain amount of revenue we still fell that we will have to invest further in personnel to take the club to the next level.

"This is not just on the playing front but on administration, in particular someone who can operate and get the most out of schools, coaching in the community, subsidies and grants.

"We also feel that if we are to match the achievements of last season we will need to improve the playing squad while always keeping a watching eye on the profit and loss account and balance sheets."