Motherwell F.C Annual Report - Year Ending May 2024

The Steelmen reduced losses, but remain heavily reliant on player sales & UEFA payments. They are the 4th Scottish Club to claim R&D Tax Credit from the government

This analysis of Motherwell F.C’s accounts compares key metrics back to 2017. This year is chosen because prior to this, Motherwell only submitted “accounts for a small company” which has much less detail than the full accounts they now submit.

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In January 2024, Motherwell launched a Taylor Swift inspired promotional video aimed at attracting external investment into the club. The club stated that, while not in a precarious financial situation, they would benefit from fresh external investment - and that investigating this was not driven by short-term pressures. Their accounts broadly support this stance.

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REVENUE

Motherwell’s “overall income” above includes both operating income and “other income,” which can distort the picture in this instance. For example, during the challenging behind-closed-doors 2020/21 season, the income figure was unusually high because it incorporated a £2.95m Covid loan from the government, a £2.29m business interruption insurance payment, and the club-record sale of David Turnbull to Celtic (£2.8m plus add-ons). Excluding these other items - such as profit on player sales or one-off insurance payments - provides a clearer view of Motherwell’s core income over the years:

Core revenue for the year ending May 2024 dropped slightly, mainly because the 22/23 accounts included an extra £434,000 for competing in the UEFA Conference League QR2 (in which Motherwell were humiliated 3–0 on aggregate by Sligo Rovers). Nevertheless, it remains the club’s second-highest revenue season since 2018. A chart comparing total revenue across the division shows a narrow band among the bottom seven clubs, a gap to the next three, and then a significant chasm between those and the top two clubs. (Note: Dundee’s revenue not available)