Sligo Rovers end-of-year accounts for the 2023 season show an operating deficit of €298,887.
The accounts were presented at Tuesday evening’s Club AGM in the Clayton Hotel in Sligo.
It was also confirmed that Rovers Treasurer David Rowe has left his Treasurer role after 15 years with the club.
His successor will be Thomas Casserly.
Club members were able to attend Tuesday’s AGM either in-person or online.
The club reported a deficit of €298,887. for 2023, having recorded a surplus of €17,017 in 2022.
The absence of European money last season was a key factor in the reduced income.
Total expenditure for the 2023 season was €2.36 million, down from €2.85 million in 2022.
Mr Rowe told the meeting that it now costs at least €2 million run a competitive League of Ireland Premier Division club.
Players salaries and coaching salaries were reduced last season, in line the overall budget reduction for the 2023 season.
Wages and salaries for 2023 totalled €1.19 million, compared with €1.45 million in 2022.
Wage inflation cost approximately €225,000, tax on accommodation and that, coupled the extension of player payments to end of November, meant the club’s wage bill was still high.
The breakdown of personnel on the payroll (33) for 2023 was 23 players, seven management & coaching – and three administration staff.
Season ticket income remained the same, while the income from League of Ireland gate receipts increased slightly.
The fundraising efforts of Sligo Rovers supporters and local community again provided one of the stand-out figures, generating €600,000 through fundraising.
The AGM also heard that Rovers received €80,000 in transfer fees for Max Mata and Aidan Keenan – this figure was the final sum after money owed to other clubs was paid.
