Addicks announce six-month loss

Charlton today announced a net loss of £1.682m (€2.4m) for the six months ended December 31, 2004.

The south London club’s turnover fell by 8% to £19.5m (€28.3m) which chairman Richard Murray attributed mainly to a 10% drop in television revenues.

The wages-to-turnover ratio stands at 73%, with the club having made substantial additions to their squad last summer in the shape of Danny Murphy, Dennis Rommedahl, Francis Jeffers, Talal El Karkouri, Bryan Hughes and Stephan Andersen.

Murray used his statement to the Stock Exchange to make a plea to broadcasters and the Premier League to avoid saturation coverage of the game, which he believes will affect its popularity at every level.

“The FA Premier League now faces many challenges going forward. We collectively must not allow our product to be overexposed on television as ultimately this will almost certainly lead to a decline in match attendances,” he said.

“In addition to the effect this could have on revenues, I am particularly concerned that we protect the level of away support as this provides the passionate atmosphere, which is so integral to the popularity and appeal of Premiership football throughout the world.”