Inverness Caledonian Thistle says financial future bright as long as club gets past Covid-19
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John Robertson believes Inverness Caledonian Thistle’s financial future looks bright – as long as the club gets through Covid-19.
Reports surfaced yesterday that some clubs in Scotland’s second tier – with Greenock Morton specifically named – were struggling to play wages for December and were on the brink of bankruptcy.
Caley Thistle’s bottom line problems have been well-documented in previous years, and chief executive Scot Gardiner has previously described how a limit of 300 spectators in stadia would be untenable for the rest of the season.
That being said, plenty of work has gone in at the Caledonian Stadium to turn the financial picture around, with sustainability becoming the buzzword in the Highland capital.
Budgets for the playing squad have been slashed year on year, while the board have been exploring other ways of bringing revenue into the club.
So generally speaking, Robertson is optimistic about the club’s future, though he does admit they have to see out the pandemic to reap any rewards.
“Going forward, the mantra of the chairman and Scot Gardiner is simple,” he explained.
“We have to get ourselves down to a sustainable level, to make us attractive for people to come and invest in the club, but while doing that remaining competitive.
“Had it not been for Covid this year, we would have come close to breaking even, if not making a small profit. The pandemic has put paid to that but we’re making strides.
“That’s what the fans have to understand – we’re not in a position anymore where we can lose £800,000 or £900,000 per year.
“The club has exciting plans going forward that could see it grow and achieve greater things on and off the pitch. It’s the hard work of the chairman, board and Scot Gardiner that got us in this position.
“We can see light at the end of the tunnel – the train may have stopped at the moment, but we can see the light. If we get there, all the hard work that’s been done in the background will see the club in a really strong financial footing position going forward.”
Last week the Scottish Government announced that grants totalling £10 million would be made available to football clubs at all levels outwith the Premiership.
Any extra income that means for ICT would be welcomed with open arms by Robertson.
“We’re in the same position as any other club,” he insisted.
“Would we welcome some investment from the government? Absolutely, but we’ve always looked at it like the amount of industries out there that require money means we may not get it.
“We’re very much in the entertainment business, like the theatres. The difference is we’re having to put on a show at the moment.
“That costs money. It would be fantastic if we get something, as I’m sure it would be for every other club in the Championship.”
