SAINTS filed their financial accounts for the year ending June 2022 and revealed they posted a pre-tax loss of £6million.

This figure is an improvement on the previous year, when they lost £13.7million. Following on from the previous financial year of COVID-related consequences, this report represents a ‘normal year’.

Turnover decreased from £157million to £151million, but this was due to six Premier League games of a previous season being played last financial year due to the league’s suspension.

The report reads: "The 2021/22 season saw COVID-19 pandemic ("the pandemic") restrictions lifted and fans able to attend St Mary's stadium again, with the club achieving an average of 93.4% of capacity in the Premier League compared to 94.7% in 2018/19, the last full season before the pandemic.

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"From a sporting perspective, the first team experienced another mixed season. After two-thirds of the season the club were in 9th position in the Premier League, however results in the final third of the season were disappointing, culminating in a 15th placed finish (2021: 15th).

"However, the club enjoyed another strong showing in the FA Cup, reaching the quarter-final (2020/21: semi-final) and losing to the eventual finalists for the second season in a row.

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"The club made five new signings during the January 2023 transfer window in order to strengthen the first team squad and are focused on achieving Premier League status for season 2023/24."

Saints nearly doubled their profit on player sales from £16million the previous year to £31.2million. The sales of Danny Ings, Jannik Vestergaard, Mario Lemina, Michael Obafemi, Alex Jankewitz, Eddie Beach and more are listed in the report.

Overall, player trading increased from a loss of over £30million to losing just £3.5million. The club spend or income on players is complicated to measure and marry with their trading as instalment payments could be ongoing for three to four years over a player’s contract.

Commercial revenue fell from £19.3million to 15.9million, partly due to revenue associated with the aforementioned six additional games but also along with the club’s decision to outsource the retail division.

St Mary’s Football Group Limited, which encompasses Southampton Football Club, reported gross debt £91.6million, remaining broadly the same as the previous year (£90.7million).

The group's cash balance has been reduced from £28.8million to £21.5million and there has been no material change in the amount of loans payable at the Statement of Financial Position date year-on-year.