Thursday, January 28, 2010

8 Million Euro Profit

Barca recorded a second half net profit of eight million Euros in the last six months of 2009, with income increasing 19.7% over the same period in 2008 to 222,8 million Euros.

The Club Vice-President Joan Boix announced the figures this Thursday, revealing that the club had made an eight million Euros profit on increased income of 222.8 million Euros. Outgoings totalled 211 million before finance costs of 3.8 million were taken into account.

Income increase across the board
2010-01-28_PRESENTACION_RESULTADOS_ECONOMICOS_PRIMER_SEMESTRE_004.jpgIncome increased across all areas of the club’s business, with more money coming from UEFA and new deals with Catalan TV Station TV3 Etisalat and Turkish Airlines, which combined with income from the Tour of USA and the friendly game held in Kuwait to boost income by nearly a fifth.

Ticket sale income also increased, as did monies from the tours of the ground and other uses of the club’s facilities and Sr Boix explained: “all business areas have seen an increase, with only slight variations and that means the club is thriving on not just one single area”.

36 million more in income
_DSH8671.JPGThe 222,8 million Euros of income compares with 186 million in the final six months of 2008 and Joan Oliver stressed the importance of the club’s sporting success to the improved figures: “we are in a context where the majority of companies in the world have seen their income stagnate or go down, where the majority of football clubs have also seen their income stagnate or go down. Meanwhile, we are presenting figures that show we have increased income by 20%. That increase would not have been possible without the great sporting success we enjoyed last season”.

Spending increases

2010-01-28_PRESENTACION_RESULTADOS_ECONOMICOS_PRIMER_SEMESTRE_006.jpgSpending also increased from 166 to 211 million Euros- a 27.1% rise- primarily due to new signings, improved contracts and bonuses as a result of successes in the two Super Cups and the World Club Cup. Sr Boix explained: “the success on the field has a short term economic cost, but over the next few years we will see the advantages of the sporting achievements we enjoyed last season”.

Money on the players
2009-12-16_PARTIDO_084.JPGThe Vice President insisted: “general costs have dropped and it is the sporting costs that have increased, but we are clear that this is where we have to invest. The players have accepted five important variables – games played, classification for the Champions League and winning the League, Cup and Champions. That means of course that if we win everything then the bonuses the players get is important”.

Bojan determined to keep fighting for a place

Bojan Krikic spoke to the media this lunchtime and insisted: “I’m focussed on continuing to work hard and improve as a player – I want to make it hard for the boss!”

Krikic insisted: “I’m very happy to be able to work at a club like Barca. I’m surrounded by a fantastic group, who really believe in me and I’m trying to respond to that by helping as much as I can. I’m keen to continue fighting for a place in the team and I want to make it hard for the boss when he has to pick his starting 11”.

Move not on the agenda
2010-01-28_ENTRENO_025.JPGQuestioned about a possible move away from the club at the end of the season, Bojan made his intentions very clear: “I’m not even thinking about leaving. My teammates and the boss are all good to me and I’m very happy here – I’m just focussed on Barca”.

Keep on working
2010-01-28_ENTRENO_089.JPGAlthough he hasn’t had too many chances this season, Bojan reflected: “sure, I’ve not been playing a lot, but I just have to keep working like I have been and try to force my way into the team. The important thing is that whoever plays, we are all pulling together to try and win the league and the Champions”.

Friday, January 22, 2010

Best in history

Best in history, according to IFFHS


FC Barcelona has been recognised as the best team in recent football history, according to the International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS). Barça get 807 points, 81 more than second placed Manchester United.

The stats are based on domestic leagues and cups and international club competitions in all six continental confederations and all FIFA tournaments since 1991.

Ahead of United and Madrid

Barça are clearly superior to Manchester United (726 points) and joint third placed Madrid and Juventus (633 points). Curiously, FC Barcelona beat five of the top ten teams last season.

27 titles since 1991

27-05-09_MESSI_GOL_01.jpgSince the list was first compiled, FC Barcelona have won 27 trophies. Nine Spanish Leagues, three Spanish Cups, seven Spanish Super Cups, three Champions Leagues, three European Super Cups, one Cup Winners Cup and one Clubs World Cup. That’s an average of one and a half titles a season!

How are the points awarded?

The ranking is decided on December 31 each year, and values the 50 best teams each year, scoring them from 50 to the best down to 1 for the fiftieth.

The top ten
1. FC Barcelona (807 points)
2. M. United (726 points)
3. Real Madrid (633 points)
3. Juventus (633 points)
5. Milan AC (620 points)
6. Inter Milan (605 points)
7. Bayern Munich (599 points)
8. Arsenal (594 points)
9. River Plate (503 points)
10. Chelsea (491 points)