Shareholders to reap dividends

27 March 2001

West Bromwich Albion plc have announced their half year results - for the six months ending in December of last year. As most people would expect from their first year with Paul Thompson as Chairman, the Club's financial performance has turned around quite dramatically - turning a loss of £1.455 million into a profit (before players? contracts) of £794,000, with turnover up from £3.835 million to £5.318 million.

More controversially, however, the Club have taken the decision to pay a £1.50 dividend on WBA plc shares; a move which will net our Chairman something like £53,000 - not something I have a great problem with, frankly, given the amount of time and effort he's put into the job since taking over a year ago and the success he's helped us to achieve. On the other hand, certain past Chairmen and "sleeping" shareholders will also pocket sums ranging from a few quid to a few tens of thousands, and a few fans are already questioning the wisdom of paying out such sums rather than spending it on things like the youth team, the playing squad, a new PA and so on. As one said, "Glad to see that we have 140 grand lying around to throw at shareholders....."

I'll end up with the whopping sum of, erm, [taps calculator keys in comedy fashion] £34.50, which I'm sure will end up spent in the Club shop on something - and/or donated to the BOING fund for the Youth team.

Previous Stories:

  23 March 2001:  The new John Wile?

  23 March 2001:  Gil....Christ that was close

  22 March 2001:  Gilchrist joins!

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