A career of two halves: TV soccer pundits net profits

The lad’s done well...

Figures show Irish TV soccer pundits are scoring for fun when it comes to being rewarded for offering their views on the game.

Accounts show the media firm of former Irish international, Mark Lawrenson, Van Horn Promotions Ltd, increased its accumulated profits to £1.12m (€1.328m) in 2011.

‘Lawro’ — who does regular work for Today FM and TV3 along with his work with BBC television and radio — was sitting on a cash pile of £610,523 in 2011.

The returns lodged with Companies House in the UK show the firm’s cash increased by £20,361 from £590,162 to £610,523 with its accumulated profits increasing from £1.095m to £1.124m.

Lawrenson’s occupation is described as ‘sports promoter’ in his firm’s most recent return.

Lawrenson is a regular contributor to Matt Cooper’s Last Word programme and Premier League Live Saturday on Today FM, while he has been a pundit for TV3 for over 10 years. The 55-year old also writes a column for The Daily Mirror.

Separate accounts lodged to Companies House by former Irish captain and regular ITV pundit, Andy Townsend, show his main firm’s accumulated profits increased from £93,946 to £220,299 in the 12 months to the end of Mar 2012.

Accounts lodged by Townsend’s Andy Townsend Promotions Ltd — describing its main nature of business as ‘activity of sports clubs’ — record the £126,353 increase in profit.

Townsend played for the Republic in two World Cups, captaining the country at USA 1994 and played for several English clubs, including Aston Villa and Middlesbrough.

The recent accounts lodged by Irish-registered Niall Quinn Communications Ltd show it recorded a profit of €21,924 in the year to the end of Dec 2011.